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Protein Loosing Enteropathy

Protein Loosing Enteropathy (PLE) is a disease in which dogs lose too much protein through the intestines. This can lead to various symptoms such as weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal dropsy or blood clotting disorders. In this blog post you can find out more about the causes, diagnosis and treatment of PLE in dogs.

What are the causes of PLE?

PLE can have various causes, all of which lead to damage to the intestinal mucosa. The most common are

  • Chronic intestinal inflammation, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
  • Intestinal parasites, such as giardia or tapeworms
  • Intestinal infections, such as salmonella or parvoviruses
  • Intestinal polyps or tumors
  • Heart or liver diseases that increase the blood pressure in the intestine

How is PLE diagnosed?

To diagnose PLE, your vet must first rule out other possible causes for the symptoms. These include, for example, kidney, liver or thyroid problems, which can also lead to protein loss. He will then carry out a blood test to determine the protein level in the blood. If this is too low, this is called hypoproteinemia. He will also measure the albumin level, which is an important component of protein. If this is too low, it is called hypalbuminemia.

To find the exact cause of PLE, your vet may order further examinations, such as a fecal sample, an ultrasound examination of the abdomen or a colonoscopy with tissue sampling.

How is PLE treated?

The treatment of PLE depends on the underlying cause. The aim is to heal the intestinal mucosa and stop the loss of protein. This may include the following measures:

  • A special diet with high quality protein and low fat
  • Medication to relieve inflammation, infections or parasites
  • Medication to improve blood clotting or the cardiovascular system
  • Infusions to increase the fluid and protein balance
  • Operations to remove polyps or tumors

The prognosis for dogs with PLE depends on the severity and progression of the disease. Some dogs can live with a good quality of life if treated in time. Others may develop serious complications, such as thrombosis, edema or infection, which can be life-threatening.

The authors assume that a veterinarian should be consulted if an animal is ill and that medication should only be taken after consultation with a doctor or pharmacist. Only an individual examination can lead to a diagnosis and treatment decision.

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