Open AccessFood Hypersensitivity Reactions in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers with Protein‐Losing Enteropathy or Protein‐Losing Nephropathy or Both: Gastroscopic Food Sensitivity Testing, Dietary Provocation, and Fecal Immunoglobulin E
Author(s) -
Vaden Shelly L.,
Hammerberg Bruce,
Davenport Deborah J.,
Orton Susan M.,
Trogdon Maureen M.,
Melgarejo L. Tonatiuh,
VanCamp Steven D.,
Williams David A.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2000.tb01501.x
Subject(s) - medicine , provocation test , gastroenterology , enteropathy , feces , immunoglobulin e , diarrhea , adverse effect , immunology , allergy , antibody , pathology , disease , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , alternative medicine
The purpose of this study was to evaluate Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers (SCWTs) affected with protein‐losing enteropathy (PLE) or protein‐losing nephropathy (PLN) or both for allergy to food. We performed gastroscopic food‐sensitivity testing, a provocative dietary trial, and measurement of fecal immunoglobulin E (IgE) in 6 SCWTs affected with PLE or PLN or both. Positive gastroscopic food‐sensitivity test reactions were noted in 5 of 6 dogs. Positive reactions were found to milk in 4 dogs, to lamb in 2 dogs, and to wheat and chicken each in 1 dog. Adverse reactions to food (diarrhea, vomiting, or pruritus) were detected in all 6 dogs during the provocative dietary trial. Adverse reactions were found to corn in 5 dogs, to tofu in 3 dogs, to cottage cheese in 2 dogs, to milk in 2 dogs, to farina cream of wheat in 2 dogs, and to lamb in 2 dogs. Serum albumin concentrations significantly decreased and fecal α 1 ‐protease inhibitor concentration significantly increased 4 days after the provocative trial when compared with baseline values. Antigen‐specific fecal IgE varied throughout the provocative trial, with peak levels following ingestion of test meals. We conclude that food hypersensitivities are present in SCWTs affected with the syndrome of PLE/PLN. Mild inflammatory bowel disease was already established in the 6 SCWTs of this report at the time of study, making it impossible to determine if food allergies were the cause or result of the enteric disease.