Enteritis, Eosinophilic

Signalment

• Seen in any breed or age
• However, more common in younger animal
• More common in
  • Boxers
  • Dobermans
  • German Shepherd Dogs

Description

Eosinophilic enteritis (EE) is the second most common form of IBD, characterised by a mixed, but predominantly eosiphilic, mucosal inflammatory infiltration. EGE may be limited to the small intestine or it may affect other areas of the gastrointestinal tract such as stomach or colon.

An eosinophilic infiltrate may indicate a diet-induced, type 1 hypersensitivity. However, most dogs do not respond to a purely exclusion diet. Endoparasitism should also be excluded prior to immunosuppressive therapy for EE.

Diagnosis

Clinical Signs

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea; small or large intestinal depnding on part of the gastrointestinal tract affected
  • Haematoemesis or malena, and/or haematochezia; EGE is associated with mucosal erosion or ulceration
• Protein-losing enteropathy in severe cases
• Hypoproteinaemia in severe casese

Laboratory Tests

Biochemistry

• Eosinophilia
  • This is not always present. Even when present, alone, it cannot prove the presence of EE.
  • It is also a marker for parasitism, hypoadrenocorticism, allergic dermatological disease, allergic respiratory disease and mast cell tumour.

Histopathology

Biopsy is required for a definitive diagnosis.

Treatment

• Dietary modification
  • A hypoallergenic diet should be used
• Immunosuppressive therapy

Refer to IBD for further information

References

• Ettinger, S.J. and Feldman, E. C. (2000) Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine Diseases of the Dog and Cat Volume 2 (Fifth Edition) W.B. Saunders Company.
• Hall, E.J, Simpson, J.W. and Williams, D.A. (2005) BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Gastroenterology (2nd Edition) BSAVA
• Nelson, R.W. and Couto, C.G. (2009) Small Animal Internal Medicine (Fourth Edition) Mosby Elsevier.