Protein Losing Enteropathy in Dogs

Protein Losing Enteropathy is mean precious blood proteins leak from the gut instead of staying in the bloodstream. The drop in plasma proteins like albumin causes swelling, weakness and risky blood clots. This blog will teach you about protein-losing enteropathy in dogs, so you can notice your dog's discomfort earlier. Early detection of PLE in dogs can avoid higher veterinary bills and give your dog a better life.

What Is Protein Losing Enteropathy (PLE)?

PLE is not one illness. It is a group of intestinal diseases that cause intestinal protein loss. Damaged tiny blood vessels in the gut wall let albumin and globulin escape into the gastrointestinal tract. Severe inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal lymphangiectasia (blocked lymph flow) or even intestinal lymphoma can start the leak. The problem sits in the small intestine, but heart or liver trouble may add pressure to the lymphatic system. VCA Hospitals explains that the body cannot make proteins as fast as it is losing them—so the level of both albumin and globulin falls. That low blood protein triggers swelling and, sometimes, pleural effusion in the chest.

What Breeds Most Commonly Get Protein-Losing Enteropathy?

All dogs can suffer PLE, yet a clear genetic predisposition exists. The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier tops most studies, followed by the Yorkshire Terrier, Basenji and Norwegian Lundehund. Research at the Royal Veterinary College shows many of these terriers also develop protein-losing nephropathy, making early screening vital. Vets often suggest a yearly complete blood count and albumin check for high-risk breeds. Spotting low albumin concentration early allows diet changes before severe fluid accumulation or clinical signs appear.

Protein Losing Enteropathy Epidemiology

PLE is rare but serious. A British Small Animal Veterinary Association audit found it in about 2 % of gastro-enterology referrals, with most cases linked to primary GI disease rather than heart failure. Dogs aged 3-7 years were most affected, and males and females were equal. Survival depends on albumin level: when it drops below 1.5 g/dL, hospital death rises to 27 %. Yet dogs that regain normal albumin within six weeks enjoy a 70 % one-year survival. Early care is key for all PLE patients.

What causes Protein-Losing Enteropathy？

1. Inflammatory bowel disease – long-term gut irritation damages the intestinal mucosa.

2. Intestinal lymphangiectasia – blocked lymphatic vessels carry fat and protein away.

3. Intestinal cancer – lymphoma or other tumours invade gut walls.

4. Adverse food reactions – some proteins spark immune attacks.

5. Chronic foreign-body irritation – string or carpet threads rub gut lining raw.

6. Liver disease or right-sided heart failure – raises intestinal blood pressure.

When an underlying disease is found, treating it stops the leak. When no clear underlying cause appears, vets call it “idiopathic PLE.”

Symptoms of Protein-Losing Enteropathy

Look for these clinical signs:

• Rapid weight loss or muscle wasting.

• Swollen belly, limbs, or face (oedema) from fluid accumulation.

• Watery or greasy diarrhoea.

• Cough or difficulty breathing if pleural fluid fills the chest cavity.

• Fainting or slow healing cuts due to impaired blood clotting.

The RSPCA urges a same-day vet visit when swelling or breathing problems strike. Fast help limits organ strain and hospital costs.

How the Vets Diagnose Protein Losing Enteropathy

1. Blood tests – a complete blood count shows low albumin, low globulin and maybe high white blood cell counts. Urine checks rule out protein-losing nephropathy.

2. Abdominal ultrasound – highlights thickened bowel loops, enlarged lymph nodes, or tumours.

3. Endoscopic intestinal biopsies – tiny forceps collect tissue for lab study; spotting intestinal inflammation, lymphoma or lymphangiectasia.

4. Surgical biopsy – collects deeper samples when endoscopy can’t reach.

5. Fine-needle aspiration – samples nodes or masses for quick cell checks.

Combining these tests gives an accurate diagnosis, guiding a definitive treatment plan.

Protein Losing Enteropathy Prognosis

Outcome depends on the underlying cause and speed of care. Dogs with diet-responsive PLE often reach full remission. Those with intestinal lymphoma face a guarded outlook but still gain months of good life with chemo. Low initial albumin (<1.5 g/dL) and poor response by week 4 predict shorter survival. Yet prompt diet change, steroids and clot-blocking drugs lift the odds. Studies in veterinary internal medicine show plasma or intravenous fluids can raise albumin quickly and cut death rates.

Protein Losing Enteropathy Treatment and Management

Modern care tackles PLE on three fronts—diet, drugs, and support—to stop protein losing and restore health.

Dietary Management

• Low-fat, novel-protein diet (fish, hydrolysed soy) lowers gut strain.

• Medium-chain fats add calories without stressing lymph flow.

• Keep dietary fat content under 10 % for intestinal lymphangiectasia cases.
  WSAVA’s Nutrition Toolkit backs this approach.

Medication

• Prednisolone calms immune-driven intestinal disease; cyclosporine or chlorambucil follow if steroids fail.

• Antibiotics may reset normal bacterial populations when diarrhoea persists.

• Anti-clot drugs protect against low-protein blood clotting risks.

Supportive Care

• Intravenous fluids or plasma raise falling albumin concentration and relieve fluid accumulation in belly or chest.

• Re-check with abdominal ultrasound, repeat endoscopic intestinal biopsies, or a surgical biopsy if signs return.

• Ongoing complete blood count and urine tests rule out hidden protein-losing nephropathy and track white blood cell counts.

With swift action—often overseen by specialists in veterinary internal medicine—most PLE patients regain normal levels of both albumin and globulin, easing swelling and giving affected dogs a real chance at long-term recovery.

Home Comfort

Place an orthopaedic dog bed in a warm, draft-free spot to ease swollen joints. Raised bowls reduce belly pressure and help the dog absorb nutrients properly. Clean bowls daily; the UK Health Security Agency warns raw meat treats can add infection risk to PLE dogs. Keep walks short until swelling fades, then build slowly to boost lymph flow. Calm routines lower stress, which helps gut healing.

FunnyFuzzy's Orthopaedic Dog Bed

Monitoring and When to Re-check

• Weekly: weigh your dog and measure belly girth.

• Every 4–6 weeks: vet checks albumin and globulin; stretches to three months once stable.

• Every 6 months: repeat abdominal ultrasound if masses or mechanical GI disease were found.

Ask your insurer to list PLE as a “long-term condition” so future endoscopic biopsies or scans stay covered.

FAQs

What causes protein-losing enteropathy?

Severe intestinal disease—notably inflammatory bowel disease, lymphangiectasia, or cancers—breaks the gut barrier so proteins leak into the stool.

What is the life expectancy of a person with protein-losing enteropathy?

In people and dogs, outlook links to the underlying cause and response to diet-drug therapy. With early care, many PLE patients live years; untreated, survival may be months.

What are the symptoms of enteropathy?

Diarrhoea, weight loss, swollen belly or legs, and weakness.

What causes protein loss in stool?

Damage to the gut’s intestinal mucosa lets albumin and other proteins pass from blood to the GI tract instead of returning via the lymphatic system.

Conclusion

Protein-losing enteropathy PLE sounds scary, but knowledge is power. Spot the signs, get an early vet check, and follow a strict protein diet with low fat. With the right plan, most dogs return to happy walks and wagging tails. Keep up regular tests, stay alert to new clinical signs, and your dog can outsmart this “losing enteropathy.”