Open AccessFrequency of signs of chronic gastrointestinal disease in dogs after an episode of acute hemorrhagic diarrhea
Author(s) -
Skotnitzki Elisabeth,
Suchodolski Jan S.,
Busch Kathrin,
Werner Melanie,
Zablotski Yury,
Ballhausen Bianca D.,
Neuerer Felix,
Unterer Stefan
Publication year - 2021
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.16312
Subject(s) - medicine , odds ratio , diarrhea , disease , enteropathy , gastroenterology , confidence interval , chronic diarrhea , gastrointestinal disease , retrospective cohort study
Background Acute enteropathy is a trigger of chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disease in humans. Objective To report the prevalence of and explore possible risk factors for signs of chronic GI disease in dogs after an episode of acute hemorrhagic diarrhea (AHD). Animals One hundred and fifty‐one dogs, 80 dogs with a historical diagnosis of AHD, 71 control dogs with no history of AHD. Methods In this retrospective longitudinal study, data were collected from dogs with a historical diagnosis of AHD and healthy controls matched by breed, age and sex, aged between 1 year and 15 years of age, for which a follow‐up of at least 12 months after enrolment was available. Dog owners responded to a questionnaire to determine the history of signs of chronic GI disease. Results There was a higher prevalence of signs of chronic GI disease in the dogs with a previous episode of AHD compared to control dogs (AHD 28%; controls 13%; P = .03; odds ratio = 2.57; confidence interval [CI] 95% 1.12‐6.31) over a similar observation time (median 4 years; range, 1‐12 years). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Severe intestinal mucosal damage and associated barrier dysfunction might trigger chronic GI disease later in life.