Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 23
Canine Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Diagnostic
and Therapeutic Considerations on 19 Cases
M. Pugliese, G. Mazzullo, G. Garufi, A. La Pietra, and M. De Majo
Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic
features and to search correlations between clinical, endoscopic, and histological
scoring in 19 dogs with chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Additionally, these
parameters were evaluated in dogs with normo-albuminemia versus hypoalbu-
minemic dogs. Therapy and 6-month follow-up data were reported. No differences
were found between clinical, endoscopic, and histological scores in normo-
albuminemic and hypoalbuminemic dogs. The cornerstone of therapy was predni-
sone associated with metronidazole. In subjects unresponsive to steroids, treatment
with other immunosuppressive drugs must be considered.
Keywords Dog • Hypoalbuminemia • IBD • Therapy
23.1
Introduction
The term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is applied in veterinary medicine to
identify a group of idiopathic disorders characterized by histopathological evidence
of inflammation in the lamina propria of the small or large intestine. The aims of
this study were to, in dogs affected with IBD, (a) describe the clinical aspect,
treatment, and long-term outcome; (b) correlate the scores of clinical signs with
endoscopic and histological evaluation; and (c) evaluate these parameters in
hypoalbuminemic versus normo-albuminemic dogs with inflammation of the
small intestinal tract.
M. Pugliese (
*
) • G. Mazzullo • G. Garufi • A. La Pietra • M. De Majo
Department of Veterinary Public Health, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
e-mail:
mpugliese@unime.it
