Incidence of relapse of inflammatory protein‐losing enteropathy in dogs and associated risk factors

BACKGROUND: Dogs with inflammatory protein‐losing enteropathy (iPLE) that attain remission may be at risk of subsequent relapse. OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of relapse of iPLE in dogs that have previously attained complete clinical and biochemical remission and identify associated risk factors. ANIMALS: Seventy‐five client‐owned dogs diagnosed with iPLE. METHODS: Medical records of dogs diagnosed with iPLE based on histopathology of intestinal biopsy specimens between March 2010 and March 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Variables were recorded from the time of investigation at histopathologic diagnosis and subsequent follow‐up information was obtained from the records of referring veterinarians. RESULTS: Twenty‐three dogs (31%) achieved sustained remission without documentation of relapse for at least 2 years. Nineteen dogs (25%) achieved remission, but then subsequently relapsed within 2 years of histopathologic diagnosis, and 33 dogs (44%) never achieved remission with disease‐associated death occurring a median of 19 (range, 3‐114) days after histopathologic diagnosis. Dogs that achieved remission and subsequently relapsed had significantly higher poor dietary compliance, as defined by frequent scavenging or changing from the recommended diet compared to dogs with sustained remission (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory PLE is associated with a high rate of relapse in dogs. Ensuring owners adhere to dietary recommendations might help prevent subsequent relapse in dogs with iPLE that attain initial remission.