b'ARTICLERole of histopathologyOf course, histopathology remains a key part of the diagnostic process in many cases. Faecal calprotectin is a useful adjunct that can help guide the need for further work-up. Several human medical studies evaluating the role of calprotectin in the initial investigation of children with suspected inflammatory bowel disease have shown that faecal calprotectin testing accurately helps clinicians decide whether to refer a patient for endoscopy. This may be useful in veterinary settings too.Monitoring treatment responseIn human medicine, faecal calprotectin is also used to evaluate treatment efficacy, anticipate relapse and reduce unnecessary endoscopic reassessment. While equivalent data in veterinary patients are still limited, faecal calprotectin could hold similar promise for dogs and cats. It is also possible that, during a dietary trial, immunosuppressive therapy, or both, a reduction in faecal calprotectin may occur before obvious clinical improvement, offeringReferencesreassurance and potentially guiding1. Siel, D., et al. (2022). Elucidating the Role of Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses in the Pathogenesis of Canine adjustments to treatment.Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy-A Search for Potential Biomarkers. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, Summary 12(13), 1645. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12131645. 2. Garraway, K. (2017) Inflammatory bowel disease in dogs In summary, faecal calprotectin is aand cats. TVP. TVP-2018-0102_Garraway_IBD-Dogs-Cats_03.non-invasive biomarker that supportspdf3. Cridge, H. et al. (2018) Evaluation of SNAP cPL, Spec cPL, the diagnosis and management of CIEVetScan cPL Rapid Test, and Precision PSL Assays for the in dogs and cats. It offers insight intoDiagnosis of Clinical Pancreatitis in Dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 32(2):658-664. doi: 10.1111/jvim.15039.the presence and severity of intestinal4. Dabritz, J. et al. (2014) World J Gastroenterol. 20(2):363inflammation, correlates with clinical375.5. Jukic A, et al. (2021) Gut. 70(10):19781988.and histological findings, and provides6. Heilmann R.M. et al. (2012) Am J Vet Res. 73(12):19001907.an objective tool for monitoring7. Heilmann, R.M. et al. (2018) Association of fecal calprotectin concentrations with disease severity, response therapeutic response. While not ato treatment, and other biomarkers in dogs with chronic definitive diagnostic test, its ease of useinflammatory enteropathies. J Vet Intern Med. 32: 679-692. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15065and affordability hold great promise.8. Grellet, A. et al. (2013) Fecal calprotectin concentrations in As clinical experience and validationadult dogs with chronic diarrhea. Am J Vet Res. 74: 706711.9. Carus Animal Health (2025). Data on file.data grow, faecal calprotectin is set to10. Heilmann, R.M. et al. (2024) Treatment success in cats become a cornerstone of non-invasive GIwith chronic enteropathy is associated with a decrease in fecal calprotectin concentrations. Frontiers in Veterinary diagnostics in small animal medicine. Science Vol11 DOI=10.3389/fvets.1390681Dr Lucy Williams BVSc MRCVS Dr Lucy Williams BVSc MRCVS is a veterinarian with a background in general practice and a keen interest in internal medicine and gastrointestinal health. With five years of clinical experience, she now specialises in science-driven and creative strategy in the veterinary marketing space. Outside of work, she enjoys being outdoors, especially by the beach, and spending time with friends.www.inspiredvet.co.uk23'