related term: wheat-sensitive enteropathy
What is gluten-sensitive enteropathy?
This is a disorder of the small intestine that results from a sensitivity or intolerance to gluten, the protein part of wheat. There are many similarities to celiac disease in people, although the intestinal damage and clinical signs are less severe in dogs. Gluten-sensitve enteropathy is controlled by feeding a gluten-free diet.
How is gluten-sensitive enteropathy inherited?
unknown
What breeds are affected by gluten-sensitive enteropathy?
Irish setter
For many breeds and many disorders, the studies to determine the mode of inheritance or the frequency in the breed have not been carried out, or are inconclusive. We have listed breeds for which there is a consensus among those investigating in this field and among veterinary practitioners, that the condition is significant in this breed.
What does gluten-sensitive enteropathy mean to your dog & you?
Signs of this disorder are usually apparent by about 6 months of age. Affected dogs fail to gain weight normally or start losing weight, and most develop chronic diarrhea.
How is gluten-sensitive enteropathy diagnosed?
There are various blood and fecal tests that will point your veterinarian to a diagnosis of gluten-sensitive enteropathy as a cause of your dog's diarrhea. The diagnosis is confirmed if the clinical problems resolve following the introduction of a gluten-free diet.
For the veterinarian: Low serum folate and reduced xylose absorption are indirect evidence of proximal small bowel disease. Serum cobalamin and duodenal juice culture are generally normal. Jejunal biopsies show partial villous atrophy, typically by 4 months of age.
How is gluten-sensitive enteropathy treated?
This disorder is treated by feeding a nutritionally balanced gluten-free diet to your dog for life. Typically the signs resolve within 4 to 6 weeks of the diet change.
Affected dogs should not be bred and until more is known about inheritance of this disorder, it is prudent to avoid breeding their parents and siblings as well.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS DISORDER, PLEASE SEE YOUR VETERINARIAN.
Burrows, C.F., Batt, R.M., Sherding, R.G. 1995. Diseases of the small intestine. In E.J. Ettinger and E.C. Feldman (eds.) Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, pp. 1169-1232. W.B. Saunders Co., Toronto.
Copyright © 1998 Canine Inherited Disorders Database. All rights reserved.
Revised: April 27, 2001.This database is a joint initiative of the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.