2003 Volume 12 Issue 1 Pages 13-17
We report two dogs which were diagnosed as having idiopathic intestinal lymphangiectagia. The clinical findings of weight loss, chronic diarrhea, and severe panhypoproteinemia suggested the possibility of this disease. However, to make a definite diagnosis, we needed histological examination of the small intestine in each case. The diagnosis of intestinal lymphagiectasia was established with full-thickness excisional biopsy of the jejunum. Generally speaking, there is good possibility of therapeutic success when the disease is found early although it is unlikely for any treatment to lead to complete recovery. Case 1 was very serious, and the disease was diagnosed too late ; the dog died seven days after surgery. Case 2, whose disease was diagnosed at an earlier stage than in case 1, survived with medication, but died 501 days after surgery. We conclude that biopsy after probe laparotomy is important to make a definite diagnosis of intestinal lymphangiectasia at an early stage of the disease, even when such a surgical procedure is invasive, especially for ill animals.
