Characteristics, Nutritional Recommendations, and Medical Interventions of 58 Dogs With Protein-Losing Enteropathy Presenting to a Veterinary Nutrition Service

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.