Food hypersensitivity reactions in Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers with protein-losing enteropathy or protein-losing nephropathy or both: Gastroscopic food sensitivity testing, dietary provocation, and fecal immunoglobulin E

The purpose of this study was to evaluate Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers (SCW Ts) affected with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) or protein-losing nephro pathy (PLN) or both for allergy to food. We performed gastroscopic food-sen sitivity testing, a provocative dietary trial, and measurement of fecal imm unoglobulin E (IgE) in 6 SCWTs affected with PLE or PLN or both. Positive g astroscopic food-sensitivity test reactions were noted in 5 of 6 dogs. Posi tive reactions were found to milk in 4 dogs, to lamb in 2 dogs, and to whea t and chicken each in 1 dog. Adverse reactions to food (diarrhea, vomiting, or pruritus) were detected in all 6 dogs during the provocative dietary tr ial. Adverse reactions were found to corn in 5 dogs, to tofu in 3 dogs, to cottage cheese in 2 dogs, to milk in 2 dogs, to Farina cream of wheat in 2 dogs, and to lamb in 2 dogs. Serum albumin concentrations significantly dec reased and fecal alpha(1)-protease inhibitor concentration significantly in creased 4 days after the provocative trial when compared with baseline valu es. Antigen-specific fecal IgE varied throughout the provocative trial. wit h peak levels following ingestion of test meals. We conclude that food hype rsensitivities are present in SCWTs affected with the syndrome of PLE/PLN. Mild inflammatory bowel disease was already established in the 6 SCWTs of t his report at the time of study, making it impossible to determine if food allergies were the cause or result of the enteric disease.