Gluten serological testing in dogs with paroxysmal dyskinesia
Paroxysmal gluten-sensitive dyskinesia is a subtype of movement disorder classified as canine paroxysmal dyskinesia (cPD), which until now has only been described in Border Terriers (BT).
The aim of this study was to report cPD with positive gluten serology in dog breeds other than BT.
The hospital records of the dogs where the serum was tested for modified gliadin peptide immunoglobulin G (gliadin IgG) and tissue transglutaminase-2 immunoglobulin A (transglutaminase-2 IgA) were studied.
A total of 31 dogs were presented to the clinic with cPD. A work-up consistent with Tier 1 or Tier 2 confidence levels for canine epilepsy was undertaken in all dogs.
The dogs' diets and episode descriptions or videos in 16 of 31 cases were additionally studied. A follow-up was held to inquire about the dogs' wellbeing and response to the diet changes. Various veterinary prescription diets, commercial diets available without a prescription containing gluten, as well as gluten-free diets and homemade raw diets were fed prior to testing for gliadin IgG and transglutaminase-2 IgA.
Fourteen of the 31 dogs tested positive for gluten sensitivity with either gliadin IgG or transglutaminase-2 IgA or both ratios elevated. In seven dogs, serology was classified as questionable with gliadin IgG or transglutaminase ratios mildly elevated. Ten dogs tested negative.
According to the owners' reports, five of the dogs that tested positive had no more episodes after changing to a strictly gluten-free diet, with one of the dogs relapsing twice after being fed treats containing gluten. Three dogs had a reduction in episode frequency of >50%, and two dogs had shorter and less intense episodes.
A considerable subset of dog breeds presented for presumed cPD showed laboratory signs of gluten sensitivity and responded to a gluten-free diet.
For future studies, re-examining gliadin IgG and transglutaminase-2 IgA after diet changes and possibly doing diet challenges by reintroducing gluten in patients could also improve the interpretation of positive results to said dietary adjustments.
Casey B Rogers, et al. “Gluten serological testing in various dog breeds with paroxysmal dyskinesia.” Front Vet Sci. 2023 Mar 3; 10:1119441. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1119441.
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