Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction in a Bernese Mountain Dog Chronische intestinale pseudo-obstructie bij een Berner Sennenhond

Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction (CIPO) is a rare syndrome characterized by chronic intestinal dilation and dysmotility in the absence of mechanical obstruction. A definite diagnosis of CIPO can only be made after histological examination of intestinal tissues. The present case describes a CIPO in a 2.5-year-old Bernese Mountain dog with a history of recurrent gastro-intestinal complaints suggestive for pseudo-obstruction. Histological lesions of small intestinal samples consisted of severe loss of smooth muscle cells of the tunica muscularis and diffuse infiltration of mononuclear cells. In addition, a hypertrophy of the lamina muscularis mucosa of the small intestinal tract was present. On the basis of these findings and the results of immunohistochemistry, a myopathic form of CIPO was diagnosed.