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Frontiers in Canine and Feline Gastrointestinal Disease

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Companion Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2022) | Viewed by 29523

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Aarti Kathrani

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Guest Editor

The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, UK
Interests: the aetiological and therapeutic role of dietary factors in canine and feline gastrointestinal disease

Prof. Dr. Romy M. Heilmann

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Guest Editor

Department for Small Animals, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Interests: treatment of canine and feline chronic enteropathies; etiopathogenesis; diagnosis; primary inflammatory disorders of canine and feline

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease are amongst the most common presenting complaints in small animal veterinary practice. Over the last decade, many scientific advances have been made with regard to determining the aetiopathogenesis, improving diagnostics, and optimizing the treatment of various gastrointestinal diseases in dogs and cats. Despite this, there are still large knowledge gaps with regard to our understanding of the underlying pathogenesis and therefore the development of non-invasive diagnostic methods or efficacious treatments of common gastrointestinal diseases, such as chronic inflammatory enteropathy, canine protein-losing enteropathy, and feline enteric-associated T-cell lymphoma-2. Therefore, the publication of new scientific findings focused on the area of canine and feline gastroenterology will help to advance our understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of various gastrointestinal diseases.

The aim of the present Special Issue is to gather into one publication the most recent advances in canine and feline gastrointestinal research as well as to welcome the contribution of original research papers, literature reviews pertinent to this area.

Dr. Aarti Kathrani
Prof. Dr. Romy M. Heilmann
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

enteropathy
gastrointestinal
bowel
vomiting
diarrhoea
regurgitation
dysbiosis
immunology
diet

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 1634 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy and Low-Grade Intestinal T-Cell Lymphoma Are Associated with Altered Microbial Tryptophan Catabolism in Cats

by Patrick C. Barko, David A. Williams, Yu-An Wu, Joerg M. Steiner, Jan S. Suchodolski, Arnon Gal and Sina Marsilio

Animals 2024, 14(1), 67; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani14010067 - 23 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1223

Abstract

Chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE) and low-grade intestinal T-cell lymphoma (LGITL) are common chronic enteropathies (CE) in cats. Enteric microbiota dysbiosis is implicated in the pathogenesis of CE; however, the mechanisms of host–microbiome interactions are poorly understood in cats. Microbial indole catabolites of tryptophan (MICT) are gut bacterial catabolites of tryptophan that are hypothesized to regulate intestinal inflammation and mucosal barrier function. MICTs are decreased in the sera of humans with inflammatory bowel disease and previous studies identified altered tryptophan metabolism in cats with CE. We sought to determine whether MICTs were decreased in cats with CE using archived serum samples from cats with CIE (n = 44) or LGITL (n = 31) and healthy controls (n = 26). Quantitative LC-MS/MS was used to measure serum concentrations of tryptophan, its endogenous catabolites (kynurenine, kynurenate, serotonin) and MICTs (indolepyruvate, indolealdehyde, indoleacrylate, indoleacetamide, indoleacetate, indolelactate, indolepropionate, tryptamine). Serum concentrations of tryptophan, indolepropionate, indoleacrylate, indolealdehyde, indolepyruvate, indolelactate were significantly decreased in the CIE and LGITL groups compared to those in healthy controls. Indolelactate concentrations were significantly lower in cats with LGITL compared to CIE (p = 0.006). Significant correlations were detected among serum MICTs and cobalamin, folate, fPLI, and fTLI. Our findings suggest that MICTs are promising biomarkers to investigate the role of gut bacteria in the pathobiology of chronic enteropathies in cats. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Canine and Feline Gastrointestinal Disease)

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16 pages, 1168 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Untargeted Analysis of Serum Metabolomes in Dogs with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

by Patrick C. Barko, Stanley I. Rubin, Kelly S. Swanson, Maureen A. McMichael, Marcella D. Ridgway and David A. Williams

Animals 2023, 13(14), 2313; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani13142313 - 14 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1630

Abstract

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a malabsorptive syndrome resulting from insufficient secretion of pancreatic digestive enzymes. EPI is treated with pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), but the persistence of clinical signs, especially diarrhea, is common after treatment. We used untargeted metabolomics of serum to identify metabolic disturbances associated with EPI and generate novel hypotheses related to its pathophysiology. Fasted serum samples were collected from dogs with EPI (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 10), all receiving PERT. Serum metabolomes were generated using UPLC-MS/MS, and differences in relative metabolite abundances were compared between the groups. Of the 759 serum metabolites detected, 114 varied significantly (p < 0.05, q < 0.2) between dogs with EPI and healthy controls. Differences in amino acids (arginate, homoarginine, 2-oxoarginine, N-acetyl-cadaverine, and α-ketoglutaramate) and lipids (free fatty acids and docosahexaenoylcarnitine) were consistent with increased proteolysis and lipolysis, indicating a persistent catabolic state in dogs with EPI. Relative abundances of gut microbial metabolites (phenyllactate, 4-hydroxyphenylacetate, phenylacetyl-amino acids, catechol sulfates, and o-cresol-sulfate) were altered in dogs with EPI, consistent with disruptions in gut microbial communities. Increased kynurenine is consistent with the presence of intestinal inflammation in dogs with EPI. Whether these metabolic disturbances participate in the pathophysiology of EPI or contribute to the persistence of clinical signs after treatment is unknown, but they are targets for future investigations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Canine and Feline Gastrointestinal Disease)

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12 pages, 1041 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Canine-Obtained Lactic-Acid Bacteria on the Fecal Microbiota and Inflammatory Markers in Dogs Receiving Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Treatment

by Kristin M. V. Herstad, Hilde Vinje, Ellen Skancke, Terese Næverdal, Francisca Corral, Ann-Katrin Llarena, Romy M. Heilmann, Jan S. Suchodolski, Joerg M. Steiner and Nicole Frost Nyquist

Animals 2022, 12(19), 2519; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12192519 - 21 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1692

Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may cause enteropathy in dogs and probiotics may be one option to prevent this. The objective of this study was to determine whether the administration of canine-obtained lactic acid bacteria (LAB) has an effect on the frequency of diarrhea, the composition of the fecal microbiota, and/or markers of gastrointestinal inflammation in dogs receiving NSAIDs when compared to dogs given NSAIDs and a placebo. A total of 22 dogs treated with NSAIDs for various clinical indications were enrolled in a seven-day randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled interventional study. Dogs were randomized to receive either placebo or LAB, a product containing Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Fecal samples were collected on days one and seven. The fecal microbiota was evaluated using the fecal dysbiosis index (DI) and individual bacterial taxa. Fecal calprotectin (CP) and S100A12/Calgranulin C concentrations were used as markers of gastrointestinal inflammation. There was a difference in frequency of diarrhea between groups, with it affecting 4/12 dogs (33%) in the placebo group and 1/10 dogs (10%) in the LAB group, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.32). There was a correlation between S100A12 and CP (p < 0.001), and Clostridium perfringens correlated with S100A12 (p < 0.015). Neither treatment significantly affected S100A12 (p = 0.37), CP (p = 0.12), or fecal DI (p = 0.65). This study suggests that LAB is a safe supplement to use for short-term treatment in NSAID-treated dogs, but further studies are needed to determine its potential to prevent NSAID-induced enteropathy in dogs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Canine and Feline Gastrointestinal Disease)

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19 pages, 2092 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Can Chromoendoscopy Improve the Early Diagnosis of Gastric Carcinoma in Dogs?

by Marcus Vinicius Candido, Pernilla Syrjä, Susanne Kilpinen, Søren Meisner, Mohsen Hanifeh and Thomas Spillmann

Animals 2022, 12(17), 2253; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12172253 - 31 Aug 2022

Viewed by 1573

Abstract

Chromoendoscopy has improved the early diagnosis of gastric cancer in humans but its usefulness in dogs is unknown. This study aimed at assessing whether adding narrow band imaging (NBI) or indigo carmine (IC) chromoendoscopy (CE) can improve the diagnostic yield of standard white light endoscopy (WLE). We compared the real-time findings of canine WLE, NBI-CE, and IC-CE and corresponding histology reports with endoscopic mucosal pattern assessment templates used in human medicine. Belgian Shepherd dogs are predisposed to gastric carcinoma. Therefore, 30 dogs of this breed served as the study population. According to histology, 17/30 dogs had mucosal changes (mucous metaplasia, glandular dysplasia, and gastric carcinoma). Diagnostic yield was best when targeted biopsies were taken with WLE and NBI-CE combined (15/17 cases). WLE alone positively identified only 8/17 cases and missed a gastric carcinoma in 3/6 cases. CE assessment templates based on macroscopic mucosal patterns, broadly used in human medicine, were not readily applicable in dogs. In conclusion, the study provides evidence that using CE in dogs has the potential to improve the diagnosis of precancerous gastric mucosal pathology and early gastric carcinoma. However, current image assessment templates from human medicine need major adjustments to the patterns of canine gastric mucosa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Canine and Feline Gastrointestinal Disease)

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25 pages, 7685 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intestinal S100/Calgranulin Expression in Cats with Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy and Intestinal Lymphoma

by Denise S. Riggers, Corinne Gurtner, Martina Protschka, Denny Böttcher, Wolf von Bomhard, Gottfried Alber, Karsten Winter, Joerg M. Steiner and Romy M. Heilmann

Animals 2022, 12(16), 2044; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12162044 - 11 Aug 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2077

Abstract

Diagnosing chronic inflammatory enteropathies (CIE) in cats and differentiation from intestinal lymphoma (IL) using currently available diagnostics is challenging. Intestinally expressed S100/calgranulins, measured in fecal samples, appear to be useful non-invasive biomarkers for canine CIE but have not been evaluated in cats. We hypothesized S100/calgranulins to play a role in the pathogenesis of feline chronic enteropathies (FCE) and to correlate with clinical and/or histologic disease severity. This retrospective case-control study included patient data and gastrointestinal (GI) tissues from 16 cats with CIE, 8 cats with IL, and 16 controls with no clinical signs of GI disease. GI tissue biopsies were immunohistochemically stained using polyclonal α-S100A8/A9 and α-S100A12 antibodies. S100A8/A9⁺ and S100A12⁺ cells were detected in all GI segments, with few significant differences between CIE, IL, and controls and no difference between diseased groups. Segmental inflammatory lesions were moderately to strongly correlated with increased S100/calgranulin-positive cell counts. Clinical disease severity correlated with S100A12⁺ cell counts in cats with IL (ρ = 0.69, p = 0.042) and more severe diarrhea with colonic lamina propria S100A12⁺ cells with CIE (ρ = 0.78, p = 0.021) and duodenal S100A8/A9⁺ cells with IL (ρ = 0.71, p = 0.032). These findings suggest a role of the S100/calgranulins in the pathogenesis of the spectrum of FCE, including CIE and IL. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Canine and Feline Gastrointestinal Disease)

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13 pages, 263 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Preliminary Study of Modulen IBD Liquid Diet in Hospitalized Dogs with Protein-Losing Enteropathy

by Aarti Kathrani and Gina Parkes

Animals 2022, 12(12), 1594; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12121594 - 20 Jun 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1853

Abstract

Modulen IBD is an enteral liquid diet that can induce remission rates similar to glucocorticoids in children with inflammatory bowel disease. The Modulen IBD liquid diet has not been previously investigated in dogs. Our study aimed to describe the use of the Modulen IBD liquid diet in hospitalized dogs with inflammatory protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), including its tolerance and effects on appetite and gastrointestinal signs, and laboratory parameters during hospitalization. Of the 14 dogs hospitalized for PLE that had an esophagostomy feeding tube placed at the time of endoscopy, 5 were eligible and prospectively enrolled. The Modulen IBD liquid diet was supplemented with whey powder isolate and a multivitamin/mineral blend to ensure the diet was complete and balanced for canine adult maintenance and had a macronutrient profile desirable for PLE. All five dogs tolerated tube feedings with the Modulen IBD liquid diet, allowing an increase of 75 to 100% of the resting energy requirement (RER) by day 3 to 4. The diet was administered without glucocorticoid in all five dogs. All five of these dogs had a resolution of anorexia allowing the voluntary intake of a commercial hydrolyzed protein diet prior to the use of glucocorticoids. Of these five dogs, three (60%) had stable or improved serum albumin concentrations (median % increase: 10.3, range: 0–31.1), four (80%) had improved or normalized serum globulin concentrations (median % increase: 12.9, range: 5.1–66.2) and four (80%) had improved or normalized serum cholesterol concentrations (median % increase: 31.5, range: 4.8–63) 2–3 days after initiating the diet. However, there were no significant differences in these selected biochemical parameters pre- and post-feeding with the diet (p > 0.080). In conclusion, the Modulen IBD liquid diet, fed via an esophagostomy feeding tube was well-tolerated in-hospital and resolved anorexia in all dogs and helped to improve selected biochemical parameters in some dogs. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term effects of feeding this diet on the rate of serum albumin increase and remission in dogs with inflammatory PLE. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Canine and Feline Gastrointestinal Disease)

13 pages, 272 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Risk Factors and Clinical Presentation in Dogs with Increased Serum Pancreatic Lipase Concentrations—A Descriptive Analysis

by Harry Cridge, Nicole Scott and Jörg M. Steiner

Animals 2022, 12(12), 1581; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12121581 - 19 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3181

Abstract

Limited data exist regarding the full array of clinical signs seen in dogs with pancreatitis and potential risk factors for the disease. Laboratory submissions from the Gastrointestinal Laboratory at Texas A&M University were retrospectively reviewed for dogs with an increased serum pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (cPLI) concentration (≥400 µg/L), and an internet-based survey was distributed to the attending veterinarian and/or technician on each case. The survey contained questions related to (i) clinical signs, (ii) prior gastrointestinal upset, (iii) comorbidities, (iv) pre-existing medical therapies, and (v) dietary history. One hundred and seventy (170) survey responses were recorded. The top three clinical signs reported were inappetence (62%), diarrhea (53%), and vomiting (49%). Abdominal pain was noted in only 32% of dogs, likely associated with poor pain detection. Additionally, the majority of dogs (71%) had prior episodes of gastrointestinal upset within the past 12 months, lending support for the commonality of recurrent acute pancreatitis, or acute on chronic disease. Hepatobiliary abnormalities (24%) were the most common concurrent disease, and endocrine disorders were seen in a low proportion of respondents (5–8%). Adult maintenance diets (65%), dog treats (40%), and human foods (29%) were commonly consumed by dogs prior to the discovery of increased cPLI concentration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Canine and Feline Gastrointestinal Disease)

10 pages, 234 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Descriptive Study on the Extent of Dietary Information Obtained during Consultations at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital

by Andreina Schramm and Peter Hendrik Kook

Animals 2022, 12(5), 661; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12050661 - 06 Mar 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2013

Abstract

The majority of dogs with chronic idiopathic gastrointestinal (GI) disease respond to diet. So far, no study has assessed how much dietary information is obtained during consultations. We retrospectively evaluated what dietary information was available from dogs presenting to our Gastroenterology (GE), and Internal Medicine (IM) Service between 10/2017 and 01/2020. Data from 243 dogs presenting for first GE consultations were compared to 239 dogs presenting with chronic GI signs for first IM consultations. Referrals comprised 131 (54%) GE dogs and 112 (47%) IM dogs. Referral documents specified the previously fed diet in 53/131 (40%) GE and 14/112 (13%) IM dogs. No dog had received more than one previous diet trial for chronic GI signs. Irrespective of referral status, diet trials had been performed in 127/199 (64%) GE, and 56/156 (36%) IM dogs. The specific diet fed at the time of consultation could only be named by 106/199 (53%) GE and 40/156 (26%) IM dog owners. Data on response to subsequent newly prescribed diets were available from 86 GE dogs and 88 IM dogs. A positive response to diet was noted in 50/86 (58%) GE and 26/88 (30%) IM dogs. A further 23/35 (66%) GE dogs and 12/21 (57%) IM dogs responded positively to a second diet trial, and 4/9 GE dogs (44%) and 6/7 (86%) IM dogs responded positively to a third diet trial. In conclusion, overall dietary information gained from referring veterinarians and owners was often incomplete. More dietary information could be gained during GE consultations compared to IM consultations for chronic GI signs. A positive response to diet can still be seen after two diet failures. Further studies will help to ascertain if the percentage of diet-responsive GI disease increases when more complete dietary information is obtained at the time of consultations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Canine and Feline Gastrointestinal Disease)

Review

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20 pages, 2059 KiB

Open AccessReview

Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Canine Intestinal Lymphangiectasia: A Comparative Review

by Sara A. Jablonski

Animals 2022, 12(20), 2791; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12202791 - 15 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 6555

Abstract

Intestinal lymphangiectasia was first described in the dog over 50 years ago. Despite this, canine IL remains poorly understood and challenging to manage. Intestinal lymphangiectasia is characterized by variable intestinal lymphatic dilation, lymphatic obstruction, and/or lymphangitis, and is a common cause of protein-losing enteropathy in the dog. Breed predispositions are suggestive of a genetic cause, but IL can also occur as a secondary process. Similarly, both primary and secondary IL have been described in humans. Intestinal lymphangiectasia is definitively diagnosed via intestinal histopathology, but other diagnostic results can be suggestive of IL. Advanced imaging techniques are frequently utilized to aid in the diagnosis of IL in humans but have not been thoroughly investigated in the dog. Management strategies differ between humans and dogs. Dietary modification is the mainstay of therapy in humans with additional pharmacological therapies occasionally employed, and immunosuppressives are rarely used due to the lack of a recognized immune pathogenesis. In contrast, corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapies are more commonly utilized in canine IL. This review aims toward a better understanding of canine IL with an emphasis on recent discoveries, comparative aspects, and necessary future investigations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Canine and Feline Gastrointestinal Disease)

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16 pages, 912 KiB

Open AccessReview

The World of Organoids: Gastrointestinal Disease Modelling in the Age of 3R and One Health with Specific Relevance to Dogs and Cats

by Georg Csukovich, Barbara Pratscher and Iwan Anton Burgener

Animals 2022, 12(18), 2461; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12182461 - 18 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2899

Abstract

One Health describes the importance of considering humans, animals, and the environment in health research. One Health and the 3R concept, i.e., the replacement, reduction, and refinement of animal experimentation, shape today’s research more and more. The development of organoids from many different organs and animals led to the development of highly sophisticated model systems trying to replace animal experiments. Organoids may be used for disease modelling in various ways elucidating the manifold host–pathogen interactions. This review provides an overview of disease modelling approaches using organoids of different kinds with a special focus on animal organoids and gastrointestinal diseases. We also provide an outlook on how the research field of organoids might develop in the coming years and what opportunities organoids hold for in-depth disease modelling and therapeutic interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Canine and Feline Gastrointestinal Disease)

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20 pages, 1013 KiB

Open AccessReview

Elucidating the Role of Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses in the Pathogenesis of Canine Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy—A Search for Potential Biomarkers

by Daniela Siel, Caroll J. Beltrán, Eduard Martínez, Macarena Pino, Nazla Vargas, Alexandra Salinas, Oliver Pérez, Ismael Pereira and Galia Ramírez-Toloza

Animals 2022, 12(13), 1645; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ani12131645 - 27 Jun 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3277

Abstract

Canine chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE) is one of the most common chronic gastrointestinal diseases affecting dogs worldwide. Genetic and environmental factors, as well as intestinal microbiota and dysregulated host immune responses, participate in this multifactorial disease. Despite advances explaining the immunological and molecular mechanisms involved in CIE development, the exact pathogenesis is still unknown. This review compiles the latest reports and advances that describe the main molecular and cellular mechanisms of both the innate and adaptive immune responses involved in canine CIE pathogenesis. Future studies should focus research on the characterization of the immunopathogenesis of canine CIE in order to advance the establishment of biomarkers and molecular targets of diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic utility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Canine and Feline Gastrointestinal Disease)

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