Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Protein-losing enteropathy in dogs - signs and diet treatment
By Margrey, Chris et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2025·University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Characteristics, Nutritional Recommendations, and Medical Interventions of 58 Dogs With Protein-Losing Enteropathy Presenting to a Veterinary Nutrition Service.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 58 dogs with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), a condition that causes severe weight loss and diarrhea, were referred to a veterinary nutrition service for help. Many of these dogs showed symptoms like diarrhea (52%), weight loss (43%), vomiting (14%), and decreased appetite (9%). The most common treatment involved switching to an ultra-low-fat homemade diet, which helped many dogs improve their condition. On average, these dogs lived for about 1661 days after starting treatment, indicating that with the right diet, they can have a good quality of life.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a common cause for referral to veterinary nutrition services (VNS). Data are sparse detailing dog presentation, dietary recommendations, and response. OBJECTIVE: Describe the characteristics of dogs with PLE presenting to a VNS, dietary interventions, and response to therapy. ANIMALS: Fifty-eight client-owned dogs with PLE. METHODS: Descriptive retrospective study. Clinical signs and concentrations of albumin, globulin, and cholesterol were compared at initial diagnosis (T0), presentation to VNS (T1), 14-90 days after VNS consultation (T2), and most recent recheck (T3). Diet history and VNS recommendations were categorized by diet form and nutritional characteristics. Continuous variable normality, survival analysis, and median survival time were evaluated using the Shapiro-Wilk test and Kaplan-Meier and Brookmeyer-Crowley methods, respectively. RESULTS: The most commonly reported reason for referral was nutritionally balancing a diet that controlled clinical signs (27/58, 47%). At T1, 52% (30/58), 43% (25/58), 14% (8/58), and 9% (5/58) had diarrhea, weight loss, vomiting, and decreased appetite, respectively. The reported mean ± standard deviation albumin, globulin, and cholesterol concentrations at T1 were 2.40 ± 0.64 g/dL, 2.43 ± 0.71 g/dL, and 129 ± 63 mg/dL, respectively. Ultra-low fat, novel protein homemade diets were the most common diet trialed before (35/58, 60%), fed at (33/58, 57%), and recommended (28/58, 48%) at T1. Median survival time was 1661 days (lower 95% confidence interval limit, 686 days). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Dogs with PLE referred to a VNS commonly presented after achieving partial clinical improvement and were most often fed an ultra-low-fat homemade diet.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40988353/