Mucosal immunity and chronic idiopathic enteropathies in dogs.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal disorders, including chronic diarrhea, are common in canine general practice. Many of these diseases do not have a clearly defined underlying cause, despite thorough diagnostic investigation. This article reviews several syndromes with poorly understood causes that are associated with chronic diarrhea in dogs. Because the immune system plays a central role in the pathogenesis of many of these syndromes, gastrointestinal mucosal immunity is also reviewed. Therapeutic interventions discussed in this article, including diet, immunosuppressive agents, antibiotics, probiotics, and prebiotics, are mostly aimed at modulating the intestinal immune response.