Decreased serum zinc concentration in dogs with lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis, and its associations with disease severity and prognosis

Human patients with inflammatory bowel disease may have poor prognosis with hypozincemia. However, there are limited data on zinc concentrations in the blood of dogs with lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis (LPE). The purpose of this study was to investigate the serum zinc concentration in dogs with LPE and its influence on disease severity and prognosis. Thirty-five dogs with LPE were recruited. Serum zinc concentration was measured using atomic absorption spectrometry. Hypozincemia was observed in 18/35 (51%) dogs with LPE. Serum zinc concentration was inversely correlated with histological and clinical severities. Overall survivals were significantly shorter in dogs with hypozincemia than in those without it. These findings suggest that serum zinc concentration is a useful biomarker for LPE severity and prognosis in dogs.