Thickened muscularis in an asymptomatic DSH


  • Approximately 4 year old DSH presented one year ago for vomiting.
  • Abdominal US performed at that time showed moderately increased muscularis and overall increased wall thickness:  duodenum=3.4mm thick, jejunum=4.9mm thick and ileum=3.2mm thick.  The gallbladder showed a slightly thickened wall and reactive fat was seen adjacent to the intestines.  Full thickness biopsies were recommended but not pursued.
    • Approximately 4 year old DSH presented one year ago for vomiting.
    • Abdominal US performed at that time showed moderately increased muscularis and overall increased wall thickness:  duodenum=3.4mm thick, jejunum=4.9mm thick and ileum=3.2mm thick.  The gallbladder showed a slightly thickened wall and reactive fat was seen adjacent to the intestines.  Full thickness biopsies were recommended but not pursued.
    • The cat is currently doing well on prescription diet alone (RC Ultamino).  Abdominal US shows persistent thickened small intestinal muscularis layer and overall wall thickness.  Duodenum=3.5-3.9mm, jejunum=3.4mm, and ileum = 3.4mm.
    • Would you treat this with anything else besides prescription diet even though the cat is feeling fine and doing well?


2 responses to “Thickened muscularis in an asymptomatic DSH”

  1. Besides dietary

    Besides dietary hypersensitivity, the other big differential would be inflammatory bowel disease; both of which dietary management plays an important role. As the cat is doing well and intestinal thickening has remained static would continue with the diet. I assume that the cat has been previously treated with metronidazole/fenbendazole to rule out helminths and protozoa.

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