A retrospective study in 21 Shiba dogs with chronic enteropathy

We retrospectively studied the clinical and laboratory features and outcomes of chronic enteropathy in Shiba dogs. Among 99 dogs with chronic enteropathy, 21 Shiba dogs (21%) were included in the study (odds ratio, 7.14). No significant differences were seen in signalment, clinical signs, symptoms or laboratory profiles between the Shiba and non-Shiba groups. Severe histopathological lesions in the duodenum were a common finding in the Shiba group. The median overall duration of survival in the Shiba group was 74 days, while that of the dogs in the non-Shiba group could not be determined because more than half of the cases remained alive at the end of this study. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (P<0.0001). The 6-month and 1-year survival rates for the Shiba group were 46% and 31%, respectively. Conversely, the 6-month, 1-year and 3-year survival rates for the non-Shiba group were 83%, 74% and 67%. The results obtained here demonstrated that the Shiba dog is predisposed to chronic enteropathy and shows severe duodenum lesions and poor outcomes, indicating a breed-specific disease.