Open AccessThe Clinical and Serological Effect of a Gluten‐Free Diet in Border Terriers with Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome
Author(s) -
Lowrie M.,
Garden O.A.,
Hadjivassiliou M.,
Harvey R.J.,
Sanders D.S.,
Powell R.,
Garosi L.
Publication year - 2015
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/jvim.13643
Subject(s) - medicine , serology , gluten , gluten free , tissue transglutaminase , titer , antibody titer , antibody , horse , immunoglobulin a , gastroenterology , immunology , immunoglobulin g , pathology , biology , enzyme , paleontology , biochemistry
Background Canine epileptoid cramping syndrome ( CECS ) is a paroxysmal movement disorder of Border Terriers ( BT s). These dogs might respond to a gluten‐free diet. Objectives The objective of this study was to examine the clinical and serological effect of a gluten‐free diet in BT s with CECS . Animals Six client‐owned BT s with clinically confirmed CECS . Methods Dogs were prospectively recruited that had at least a 6‐month history of CECS based on the observed phenomenology (using video) and had exhibited at least 2 separate episodes on different days. Dogs were tested for anti‐transglutaminase 2 ( TG 2 IgA) and anti‐gliadin ( AGA IgG) antibodies in the serum at presentation, and 3, 6, and 9 months after the introduction of a gluten‐free diet. Duodenal biopsies were performed in 1 dog. Results Serum TG 2 IgA titers were increased in 6/6 BT s ( P = .006) and AGA IgG titers were increased in 5/6 BT s at presentation compared to those of controls ( P = .018). After 9 months, there was clinical and serological improvement in all BT s with CECS strictly adhering to a gluten‐free diet (5/5). One dog had persistently increased antibody titers. This dog scavenged horse manure. On the strict introduction of a gluten‐free diet this dog also had an improved clinical and serological response. The diet‐associated improvement was reversible in 2 dogs on completion of the study, both of which suffered a relapse of CECS on the re‐introduction of gluten. Conclusions Canine epileptoid cramping syndrome in BT s is a gluten‐sensitive movement disorder triggered and perpetuated by gluten and thus responsive to a gluten‐free diet.