Robert Shiel

BACKGROUND: Neutrophilic inflammatory enteropathy is poorly described in dogs.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical and diagnostic findings, outcome, and survival in a population of dogs with histologically confirmed neutrophilic enteropathy.

ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs with histologically confirmed neutrophilic enteropathy.

METHODS: Histopathology reports (2015–2024) with neutrophilic small intestinal inflammation were identified. Individual case records were reviewed. Quantitative data were assessed for normality using the Shapiro–Wilk test and described as mean (SD) or median (range) as appropriate.

RESULTS: 26 cases were identified, representing 22 breeds with a mean age of 92 (±43.1; 95% CI 74.5–109.3) months and a median weight of 16.2 (5.1–45.3) kg. The most common presenting signs included diarrhea (n = 20, 76.9%), vomiting (n = 20, 76.9%), weight loss (n = 19, 73.1%), anorexia/hyporexia (n = 12, 46.2%), and melaena (n = 7, 26.9%). Clinicopathological testing identified a mean albumin concentration of 25.5 (±6.1, 95% CI 23.1–28) g/L, with 5 (19.2%) values < 20 g/L and a median cholesterol concentration of 3.5 (1.6–11.2) mmol/L, with 7 (26.9%) values < 2.5 mmol/L. Folate was measured in 22 cases, with a median concentration of 13.85 (3.47–24.1) ng/mL, with 6 (27.3%) values < 8.2 ng/mL. Cobalamin was assessed in 23 cases, with a median concentration of 239 (149–1001) pg/mL, with 6 (26.1%) values < 150 pg/mL. The median hospitalization time was 4 (1–14) days, with 24 dogs surviving to discharge and an overall median survival time of 322 days.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Neutrophilic enteropathy is an important consideration for dogs presenting with gastrointestinal signs, including protein-losing enteropathy, and could be associated with a poor prognosis.