Clinical and Serological Effect of a Gluten‐Free Diet in Border Terriers with Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome

• Published in: Journal of veterinary internal medicine 2015-11, Vol.29 (6), p.1564-1568
• Main Authors: Lowrie, M., Garden, O.A., Hadjivassiliou, M., Harvey, R.J., Sanders, D.S., Powell, R., Garosi, L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal Feed - analysis; Animals; antibodies; biopsy; blood serum; Diet, Gluten-Free - veterinary; Dog Diseases - blood; Dog Diseases - diet therapy; Dog Diseases - genetics; Dogs; Dyskinesia; Dyskinesias - blood; Dyskinesias - diet therapy; Dyskinesias - genetics; Dyskinesias - veterinary; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; gluten; Gluten hypersensitivity; gluten-free diet; horse manure; immunoglobulin A; immunoglobulin G; Movement disorder; Neurology; Paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia; relapse; SMALL ANIMAL; terriers
• ISSN: 0891-6640; 1939-1676
• DOI: 10.1111/jvim.13643

BACKGROUND: Canine epileptoid cramping syndrome (CECS) is a paroxysmal movement disorder of Border Terriers (BTs). These dogs might respond to a gluten‐free diet. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine the clinical and serological effect of a gluten‐free diet in BTs with CECS. ANIMALS: Six client‐owned BTs with clinically confirmed CECS. METHODS: Dogs 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. RESULTS: Serum 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. CONCLUSIONS: Canine epileptoid cramping syndrome in BTs is a gluten‐sensitive movement disorder triggered and perpetuated by gluten and thus responsive to a gluten‐free diet.