Effects of a gluten-free hydrolyzed diet in dogs with paroxysmal dyskinesia: a prospective cohort study
Samuel Okonji, Francesca Del Baldo, Elisa Garuti, Carla G Vecchiato, Alessandro Di Carlo, Gaia Costantini, Alberto Cauduro, Andrea Di Paola, Cristian Falzone, Antonella Gallucci, Ilaria Tartari, Massimo Baroni, Federica Poli, Ezio Bianchi, Valentina Buffagni, Alessia Valentini, Teresa Gagliardo, Gualtiero GandiniAbstract
Background
Paroxysmal dyskinesia (PD) is an episodic movement disorder in dogs. Gluten-sensitive etiology has been suggested, but prospective studies in different breeds are lacking.
Hypothesis/Objectives
Investigate whether a gluten-free hydrolyzed diet (GFHD) decreases PD episode frequency and gastrointestinal (GI) signs, and evaluate associations with serum anti-gliadin peptide immunoglobulin G (AGA IgG) and anti-transglutaminase-2 immunoglobulin A (TG-2 IgA) titers.
Animals
Twenty-three client-owned dogs with PD.
Methods
Prospective cohort study with 3 time points: baseline (T0), 90 days (T1), and 180 days (T2). Dogs were fed a GFHD. Episode frequency, GI signs and AGA IgG and TG-2 IgA titers were assessed at each time point. Response to GFHD was classified as excellent (episode disappearance), good (≥50% decrease), fairly good (<50% decrease), or poor (no change or increase).
Results
Median number of episodes decreased from 6 (range, 2-60) at T0 to 2 (range, 0-10) at T2 (P = .0003). At T2, 17/23 dogs were responders (5 excellent, 12 good). Gastrointestinal signs were present in 15/23 dogs at T0 and in 6/23 dogs at T2, with significant decreases in vomiting and diarrhea (P = .01). No significant correlation was found between episode frequency and AGA IgG or TG-2 IgA titers at any time point (P > .1). Antibody results did not significantly change between T0 and T2.
Conclusions and clinical importance
The GFHD was associated with a significant decrease in PD frequency and GI signs in most dogs. The AGA IgG and TG-2 IgA titers were not predictive of dietary response, suggesting limited value as biomarkers.