Efficacy of AST-120 in Dogs with Chronic Idiopathic Enteropathies

BackgroundChronic idiopathic enteropathies (CIE) in dogs are complex diseases of unknown origin. AST-120 is a spherical carbon adsorbent preparation with a high adsorption ability for low molecular substances. ObjectivesEvaluation of the clinical efficacy of AST-120 in dogs with CIE. AnimalsTen client-owned dogs with mild (n=7) to moderate (n=3) CIE. MethodsExplorative, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded pilot study. Dogs with chronic diarrhea and no or insufficient response to an elimination diet were included. The dogs received either AST-120 (n=5) or placebo (n=5) for a duration of 21days. The canine inflammatory bowel disease activity index (CIBDAI) was used to assess disease severity at baseline and clinical outcome after 3weeks of treatment. Furthermore, changes in body weight and the parameters stool consistency and frequency were compared within and between groups. ResultsThe mean CIBDAI score decreased from 5.6 (SD 1.5) to 2.0 (SD 1.2) in the AST-120 group (P=.125) and from 4.8 (SD .8) to 3.6 (SD 2.3) in the placebo group (P=.688). Compared with baseline, posttreatment CIBDAI scores decreased more than 60% in 4/5 dogs treated with AST-120 and in 1/5 dogs treated with placebo (P=.206). Changes in CIBDAI scores, body weights, stool consistency, and frequency within and between groups did not achieve statistical significance after 3weeks of treatment. No adverse effects of AST-120 were noted. Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThis study investigated potential efficacy of AST-120 as an alternative therapy in dogs with mild-to-moderate CIE.