Norwegian Lundehund

Picture of Norwegian Lundehund

Please note: Enrollment for the Lundehund research study has ended.

 

"Lundehund Syndrome"

Norwegian Lundehunds are frequently affected by a syndrome characterized by chronic atrophic gastritis, lymphoplasmacytic enteritis, and intestinal lymphangiectasia with resultant protein-losing enteropathy (PLE).

Affected dogs may exhibit various clinical signs, including vomiting and diarrhea, weight loss, anorexia, lethargy and ascites. Subclinical disease is also possible.

Due to the high prevalence of affected dogs in the Norwegian Lundehund population, and the potential for subclinical disease, regular screening of Lundehunds for gastrointestinal disease is advised.

Recommended tests include measurement of serum albumin and total protein concentrations, serum cobalamin (vitamin B12) and folate concentrations, as well as fecal alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (α1-PI) concentrations. Fecal α1-PI is a marker for gastrointestinal protein loss and may show ongoing protein loss before serum or plasma protein concentrations become abnormal or clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease develop.

Repeated testing of every Lundehund may greatly facilitate initiation of treatment against gastrointestinal disease, which unfortunately is very common in this breed.

 

Nora Berghoff, Dr.med.vet.

 

Further reading:

  1. Berghoff N, Ruaux CG, Steiner JM, Williams DA. Gastroenteropathy in Norwegian Lundehunds. Compend Contin Educ Vet, 29(8):456-465, 468-70, 2007.
  2. Berghoff N, Steiner JM, Ruaux CG, Williams DA. Prevalence of enteropathy in the North American population of the Norwegian Lundehund. J Vet Intern Med, 18:435, 2004 (abstract).
  3. Flesjå K, Yri T: Protein-losing enteropathy in the Lundehund. J Small Anim Pract 18:11-23, 1977.
  4. Kolbjørnsen Ø, Press CM, Landsverk T: Gastropathies in the Lundehund, I: Gastritis and gastric neoplasia associated with intestinal lymphangiectasia. Acta Path Microbiol Immunol Scand 102(9):647-661, 1994.
  5. Kolbjørnsen Ø, Press CM, Landsverk T: Gastropathies in the Lundehund, II: A study of mucin profiles. Acta Path Microbiol Immunol Scand 102(11):801-809, 1994.
  6. Landsverk T, Gamlem H: Intestinal lymphangiectasia in the Lundehund. Acta Path Microbiol Immunol Scand 92:353-362, 1984.
  7. Ropstad E: Lundehundsyndromet: Det kliniske bildet. Norsk Veterinærtidsskrift 95(5):305-310, 1983.
  8. Qvigstad G, Kolbjørnsen Ø, Skancke E., and H. L. Waldum: Gastric Neuroendocrine Carcinoma Associated with Atrophic Gastritis in the Norwegian Lundehund. J Comp Path 139:194-201, 2008.