Diagnostic features, treatment, and outcome of dogs with inflammatory protein‐losing enteropathy

BACKGROUND: Protein‐losing enteropathy (PLE) because of chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE) in dogs is often treated with a combination of glucocorticoids and second‐line immunosuppressant (SLI). This combined approach might not be necessary in all dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To describe diagnostic features and outcomes of dogs with PLE treated with glucocorticoids alone (group P) or with glucocorticoids and SLI (group S). ANIMALS: Thirty‐one dogs with PLE. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of signalment data from diagnostic procedures, treatment, and outcome of dogs with CIE/PLE (from 2015 to 2017), using the hospital's digital case database. Dogs with hypoalbuminemia and CIE were included. Because of a stepwise treatment algorithm, dogs were allocated to group P or S. Time to serum albumin concentrations ≥20 g/L and survival data were collected. Dogs were additionally categorized by their albumin and cobalamin serum concentrations. Multivariate and univariate analysis as well as Pearson's correlation and Kaplan‐Maier survival analysis were performed. RESULTS: Seventeen dogs were included in group P and 14 in group S. World Small Animal Veterinary Association score of the duodenum was different between groups (P = .05), but none of the other examined data. Median time until serum albumin reached >20 g/L was 13 days. Median survival time after start of treatment was 85 days (range, 13‐463 days) in group P and 166 days (range, 8‐390 days) in group S. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: No routine diagnostic test was predictive of clinical response, treatment group, or outcome. Glucocorticoid treatment alone can be appropriate in dogs with PLE.