Hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia associated with protein-losing enteropathy in Yorkshire terriers: five cases (1992-1998)

• Published in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Vol. 217; no. 5; p. 703
• Main Authors: Kimmel, S E, Waddell, L S, Michel, K E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2000
• Subjects: Animals; Aspartate Aminotransferases - blood; Biopsy - veterinary; Blood Cell Count - veterinary; Blood Chemical Analysis - veterinary; Breeding; Diarrhea - veterinary; Dog Diseases - blood; Dogs; Female; Hypocalcemia - blood; Hypocalcemia - complications; Hypocalcemia - veterinary; Hypoproteinemia - blood; Hypoproteinemia - complications; Hypoproteinemia - veterinary; Intestines - pathology; Magnesium - blood; Male; Parathyroid Hormone - blood; Protein-Losing Enteropathies - blood; Protein-Losing Enteropathies - complications; Protein-Losing Enteropathies - veterinary; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 0003-1488
• DOI: 10.2460/javma.2000.217.703

To determine clinical and laboratory findings associated with protein-losing enteropathy, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalcemia in Yorkshire Terriers. Retrospective study. 5 purebred or crossbred Yorkshire Terriers with protein-losing enteropathy, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalcemia. Medical records were reviewed for dogs with protein-losing enteropathy, hypomagnesemia, and hypocalcemia. Of 8 dogs with these signs, 5 had Yorkshire Terrier breeding. Common findings were diarrhea, abdominal effusion, leukocytosis, neutrophilia, hypocalcemia (ionized calcium), hypomagnesemia, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypocholesterolemia, and increased serum activity of aspartate aminotransferase. Yorkshire Terriers are at increased risk for development of protein-losing enteropathy with hypomagnesemia and decreased ionized calcium concentration. Hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia may have a related pathogenesis involving intestinal loss, malabsorption, and abnormalities of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone metabolism. Serum electrolyte replacement may be required to avoid neurologic and metabolic problems.