Idiopathic Eosinophilic Masses of the Gastrointestinal Tract in Dogs

Peripheral blood eosinophilia in dogs: Prevalence and associated diseases

BACKGROUND

Canine eosinophilia has not been evaluated over the last two decades. As in human local differences, changes in the prevalence and associated diseases over time can be expected.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine the prevalence and causes of marked blood eosinophilia in dogs.

METHODS

Retrospective study. A total of 317 clinical histories of dogs with an eosinophil concentration > 1.5 × 109 /L (marked eosinophilia) between 2013 and 2017 were evaluated. Patients were allocated to 10 groups according to their major clinical findings.

RESULTS

Eosinophilia was present in 1,592 of 10,829 dogs (14.7%); it was mild (0.8-1.49 × 109 /L) in 78.4%, moderate (1.5 - 4.9 × 109 /L) in 20.5% and severe (> 5 × 109 /L) in 1.1% of cases. Rottweilers were overrepresented (16.1%). Of 317 cases with marked eosinophilia, 19.6% had neoplasia, 19.1% gastrointestinal disorders, 13.6% health check, 10.4% endoparasites, 6% respiratory, 5.4% neurologic, 5.4% dermatologic, 4.8% urogenital, 3.2% endocrine disorders and 12.6% miscellaneous. Lymphomas (29%) and mast cell tumours (12.9%) were the most frequent tumours in the neoplasia group. A total of 72.6% of tumour-bearing dogs were older than 8 years, while 63.6% of dogs had endoparasites, and 86% of apparently healthy dogs were younger than 5 years. Eosinophilia was significantly higher in patients with respiratory disorders (p < 0.0146). Leukocytosis was found in 50.2% of cases.

CONCLUSION

Malignancy was the most common cause of marked blood eosinophilia in older dogs and endoparasitism in younger dogs. Eosinophilia was common in apparently healthy young dogs and may be related to undiagnosed parasitic infestations.

Period prevalence and mortality rates associated with hypocholesterolaemia in dogs and cats: 1,375 cases

To determine the period prevalence of hypocholesterolaemia and the associated mortality rates in dogs and cats at a university teaching hospital. The secondary aim was to identify disease processes associated with hypocholesterolaemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records over a 5-year period were reviewed to determine the severity of hypocholesterolaemia and its associated mortality rate. Medical records of animals with moderate to severe hypocholesterolaemia (<2.59 mmol/L in dogs, <1.81 mmol/L in cats) were analysed further. Animals with hospital-acquired hypocholesterolaemia were identified.

RESULTS

Among 16,977 dogs and 3,788 cats that had at least one cholesterol measurement, the period prevalence of hypocholesterolaemia was 7.0% in dogs and 4.7% in cats. The mortality rate of hypocholesteraemic dogs and cats was 12% in both species which was significantly higher than that of animals with normal serum cholesterol. The degree of hypocholesterolaemia was significantly associated with mortality. Dogs, but not cats, with hospital-acquired hypocholesterolaemia had a higher mortality rate than those presenting with hypocholesterolaemia. Disease of hepatic, gastrointestinal and lymphoreticular systems were most commonly associated with hypocholesterolaemia, and infectious and neoplastic disease were the most commonly associated pathophysiologic processes in both species. Lymphoma was over-represented in dogs with neoplasia.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Hypocholesterolaemia is not a frequent abnormality but was associated with mortality in this study and may be a negative prognostic indicator. It is not known if hypocholesterolaemia is simply a marker for disease severity, or if it is has active physiologic effects contributing to poor outcomes.

Hypocholesterolemia in cats: a multicenter retrospective study of 106 cats

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to describe the clinicopathologic findings and associated diseases found in a population of hypocholesterolemic cats referred to two tertiary care facilities.

METHODS

An electronic medical record search was performed at two veterinary university referral centers to identify cats with serum cholesterol values below the reference interval between January 2004 and 2016. Clinicopathologic data were reviewed for each case and cats were classified into specific disease categories based on clinical diagnosis. Median cholesterol values were compared between disease categories, as well as between survivors and non-survivors.

RESULTS

In total, 106 hypocholesterolemic cats were included. The median age of the cats was 6 years (range 0.24-18 years). The most common disease categories were gastrointestinal (25.9%), hepatobiliary (19.8%), hematologic (14.8%) and urogenital (14.8%). Though median serum cholesterol values did not differ significantly between survivors and non-survivors, cats with concurrent hypoalbuminemia were at higher risk (odds ratio 15.6, 95% confidence interval 5.2-46.6; P <0.0001) of not surviving to discharge than cats with normal serum albumin concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Taken together, our data suggest that while the degree of hypocholesterolemia did not appear to influence survival rates, the concurrent presence of hypocholesterolemia and hypoalbuminemia was associated with a worse prognosis.