The Clinical and Serological Effect of a Gluten‐Free Diet in Border Terriers with Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome |
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Authors: | M Lowrie OA Garden M Hadjivassiliou RJ Harvey DS Sanders R Powell L Garosi |
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Institution: | 1. Davies Veterinary Specialists, Hitchin, UK;2. Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK;3. Department of Neurology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK;4. Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, London, UK;5. Department of Gastroenterology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK;6. Powell Torrance Diagnostic Services, Higham Gobion, UK |
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Abstract: | BackgroundCanine epileptoid cramping syndrome (CECS) is a paroxysmal movement disorder of Border Terriers (BTs). These dogs might respond to a gluten‐free diet.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to examine the clinical and serological effect of a gluten‐free diet in BTs with CECS.AnimalsSix client‐owned BTs with clinically confirmed CECS.MethodsDogs were prospectively recruited that had at least a 6‐month history of CECS based on the observed phenomenology (using video) and had exhibited at least 2 separate episodes on different days. Dogs were tested for anti‐transglutaminase 2 (TG2 IgA) and anti‐gliadin (AGA IgG) antibodies in the serum at presentation, and 3, 6, and 9 months after the introduction of a gluten‐free diet. Duodenal biopsies were performed in 1 dog.ResultsSerum TG2 IgA titers were increased in 6/6 BTs (P = .006) and AGA IgG titers were increased in 5/6 BTs at presentation compared to those of controls (P = .018). After 9 months, there was clinical and serological improvement in all BTs with CECS strictly adhering to a gluten‐free diet (5/5). One dog had persistently increased antibody titers. This dog scavenged horse manure. On the strict introduction of a gluten‐free diet this dog also had an improved clinical and serological response. The diet‐associated improvement was reversible in 2 dogs on completion of the study, both of which suffered a relapse of CECS on the re‐introduction of gluten.ConclusionsCanine epileptoid cramping syndrome in BTs is a gluten‐sensitive movement disorder triggered and perpetuated by gluten and thus responsive to a gluten‐free diet. |
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Keywords: | Dyskinesia Gluten hypersensitivity Movement disorder Neurology Paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia |
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