Reference range and repeatability of a combined intestinal permeability and function test in clinically healthy Irish setter dogs

A reference range was determined for a combined test of differential sugar permeability, using lactulose (L) and rhamnose (R), and intestinal function, using D-xlylose (X) and 3-O-methylglucose (G), in clinically healthy adult Irish setter does. Urinary L/R ratios in 48 Irish setters from one to 12 years old varied from 0.03 to 0.18, with a mean (SEM) of 0.10 (0.01); X/G ratios varied from 0.46 to 0.81, with a mean (SEM) of 0.59 (0.01). There were no significant differences between L/R or X/G ratios of dogs of different sex (P>0.2) or age (P>0.5), using analysis of covariance. Lactulose/rhamnose ratios of greater than or equal to 0.18 and X/G ratios greater than or equal to 0.43 were considered normal, defined by the respective mean +/- 2SD. Repeatability was established by performing three permeability and function tests at monthly intervals in twelve of the dogs. Analysis of repeated L/R and X/G ratios by means of linear models procedure revealed no significant differences between measurements made on successive occasions (P>0.15), confirming the repeatability of this test.