Protein losing enteropathy in Yorkshire Terriers - Retrospective study in 31 dogs

Yorkshire Terriers are reportedly predisposed to PLE. The aim of our retrospective study was to describe the clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic, endoscopic and histological findings of Yorkshire Terriers with PLE and to compare potential prognostic factors to those recently published. A retrospective study was performed using clinical reports from two private practices in France from 2010-2012. For each case, the age, sex, clinical signs, serum albumin, abdominal ultrasound findings, gross endoscopic appearance, histopathological reports, and outcome at 1 month and 1 year were recorded. Females were over-represented (20/31). The sole clinical finding in more than 40% of cases was ascites. Hyperechoic striations were frequently seen on abdominal ultrasound (16/25). Multiple white villi on gross endoscopic examination was observed in all the 22 dogs with intestinal lymphangiectasia on histopathology. Lacteal and crypt dilation were common histopathological lesions (24/31 and 27/31 cases, respectively). Yorkshire terriers are susceptible to a potentially severe form of PLE characterized by abdominal effusion due to hypoalbuminaemia, and histologically by crypt lesions, lacteal dilation, and inflammation. The absence of diarrhoea cannot be used to rule out PLE. Abdominal ultrasound and gross endoscopy appearance are useful for detecting intestinal lymphangiectasia. Outcome is variable and some dogs completely fail to respond to therapy.