Occult gastrointestinal bleeding is a common finding in dogs with chronic kidney disease

Background The risk of occult gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) is known to be increased among human dialysis patients suffering from end‐stage renal disease. However, there are no studies to date that investigate the incidence of OGIB in either dogs or people with chronic kidney disease (CKD), irrespective of dialysis. Objectives The purpose of the study was to determine whether the incidence of OGIB is greater in dogs with CKD as compared to a control population, and if this pathology is associated with changes in serum variables related to iron metabolism. Methods Fecal occult bleeding was evaluated in 10 healthy dogs and 30 CKD dogs. Test results were compared to indicators of blood loss and/or iron metabolism. Results Dogs with CKD had a significantly higher incidence of OGIB than the control group (P