Dogs are more than just pets; they’re family. When a beloved dog faces a challenging health condition like Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE), the journey to recovery can feel overwhelming. However, with the right information, support, and diet, it’s possible to manage PLE effectively and improve your dog’s quality of life.
This blog post is inspired by a heartwarming success story shared by one of our customers. Here’s what they wrote:
"Hello, my dog has PLE (Protein-Losing Enteropathy), and your product has helped to increase her Albumin and Protein levels. Anyway, I am on a support group where I encourage others to try your products. … These people are being held hostage by veterinarians and the people that push the prescription dog foods that contain the very ingredients that are causing their dogs to be sick. Not to mention the medications and tests and procedures. This disease is manageable through the right diet. Also, just an idea, sample boxes of the food and treats might encourage more people to use your products! …. I guess ultimately, I really need you to stay in business because my dog’s life depends on your products. Thank you."
We’re incredibly grateful for this feedback, and it reinforces why we’re so passionate about creating products that make a difference. Let’s dive deeper into what PLE is, how it impacts dogs, and why diet plays such a crucial role in managing the condition.
What Is Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE)?
Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE) is not a single disease but rather a group of conditions that cause the loss of proteins from the bloodstream into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Normally, plasma proteins that enter the GI tract are broken down and reabsorbed by the body. However, when PLE occurs, protein loss exceeds the body’s ability to replace it, leading to a condition called hypoproteinemia. Severe hypoproteinemia can result in fluid leakage from blood vessels, causing swelling in the limbs or accumulation of fluid in the chest or abdomen.
Breeds Predisposed to PLE
While PLE can affect any dog, certain breeds are more predisposed to developing the condition. These include:
· Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier
· Yorkshire Terrier
· Maltese
· Chinese Shar Pei
· Rottweiler
· Basenji
· Irish Setter
· Norwegian Lundehund
This suggests that there may be a genetic component to the disease.
Symptoms of PLE
PLE can manifest in various ways, and not all dogs will show the same symptoms. Common signs include:
· Chronic or intermittent diarrhea (sometimes watery)
· Difficulty maintaining weight
· Lethargy
· Swelling in the abdomen or under the skin
· Difficulty breathing due to fluid in the chest cavity
· Thickened loops of intestine visible on diagnostic imaging
Causes of PLE
Several underlying conditions can lead to PLE, including:
Diseases of the Lymphatic System:
· Lymphangiectasia: Dilation of lymphatic vessels in the GI tract.
· GI lymphoma: Cancer of lymphoid tissues in the GI tract.
· Congestive heart failure: Increased lymphatic pressure leading to fluid leakage.
Gastrointestinal Diseases:
· Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
· Adverse food reactions
· Intestinal cancer
· Bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or viral infections
Diagnosis often involves a biopsy of the stomach or intestines to identify the underlying cause.
Treatment and Management of PLE
Treatment for PLE depends on its cause but often includes:
· Hospitalization for severe cases: Plasma transfusions or intravenous fluids may be needed to stabilize the dog.
· Medications: To address infections, inflammation, or cancer.
· Modified diet: A highly digestible, low-fat diet rich in high-quality proteins is crucial. Specialized diets can help reduce inflammation and provide the nutrients needed to manage protein loss.
Long-term prognosis varies, but with the right care, many dogs can live happy, comfortable lives.
How Our Products Can Help
Our insect-based dog food is designed to support dogs with sensitive stomachs and food intolerances—common issues in PLE. Here’s why it works:
· Easily Digestible Proteins: Our products contain high-quality insect protein, which is not only hypoallergenic but also highly digestible, making it easier for dogs with compromised GI systems to absorb nutrients. It naturally has fiber which is prebiotic and helps the dog’s gut microbiome.
· Low Fat: A low-fat diet helps reduce the burden on the lymphatic system, particularly in cases of lymphangiectasia.
· Sustainable and Nutritious: In addition to supporting your dog’s health, our products are environmentally friendly, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional protein sources.
A Call to Action
If your dog has been diagnosed with PLE, you’re not alone. Managing this condition can feel like an uphill battle, but diet can make a significant difference. As our customer’s story shows, the right nutrition can help improve protein levels and overall health.
If you have feedback or success stories, we’d love to hear from you—your input helps us continue improving and supporting the dogs who need us most.
Together, we can give dogs with PLE the happy, healthy lives they deserve.
FAQ - Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE) in Dogs
1. What is protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) in dogs?
Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a syndrome, not a single disease, in which a dog’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract loses an abnormal amount of blood proteins — especially albumin — into the intestines. This results in low protein levels in the blood and can lead to serious health consequences.
2. What causes PLE in dogs?
PLE is caused by any condition that severely disrupts the normal intestinal wall or lymphatic flow, including chronic inflammatory enteropathies (similar to inflammatory bowel disease), intestinal lymphangiectasia (dilated lymphatics), cancer (like lymphoma), severe infections, parasites, and other diseases that damage the gut lining.
3. Who can get PLE — is it breed-specific?
Any dog can develop PLE, but some breeds appear to have a higher predisposition, including Yorkshire Terriers, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, Basenjis, Norwegian Lundehunds, and others. These breeds may be more likely to experience underlying disorders linked to PLE.
4. What are common signs of PLE in dogs?
Clinical signs often relate to both gut dysfunction and low blood protein, such as:
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Persistent or chronic diarrhea
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Vomiting
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Weight loss despite normal appetite
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Poor body condition
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Fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites) or chest
Some dogs also show respiratory difficulty or swelling due to low protein levels.
5. How is PLE diagnosed?
Veterinarians diagnose PLE by:
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Bloodwork showing low albumin/protein
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Excluding other causes of low protein (like liver disease or kidney protein loss)
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Imaging such as abdominal ultrasound
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Intestinal biopsies (usually endoscopic or surgical) to identify the underlying cause of intestinal damage.
6. Is PLE life-threatening?
Yes — PLE can be serious and even life-threatening because the loss of essential proteins affects immune function, fluid balance, and wound healing. The long-term prognosis varies widely depending on the cause and response to treatment.
7. How is PLE treated in dogs?
There’s no single treatment for PLE. Management typically includes:
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Treating the underlying disease (e.g., inflammation, cancer, lymphangiectasia)
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Dietary modification — such as low-fat, highly digestible diets or novel/hydrolyzed protein diets depending on the cause
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Medications like steroids or immunosuppressants
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Supportive care including fluid therapy, vitamin supplementation, and monitoring.
8. Why is diet so important for dogs with PLE?
Diet plays a critical role because many causes of PLE involve impaired nutrient absorption or lymph flow. For example, dogs with intestinal lymphangiectasia may benefit from low-fat diets to reduce lymphatic pressure, while those with inflammatory forms may do better with hydrolyzed or novel protein diets.
9. Can dogs fully recover from PLE?
Some dogs respond very well to treatment and can lead comfortable lives with ongoing management, but relapses are common, and lifelong monitoring is often necessary. The prognosis heavily depends on the underlying cause and how the dog responds to therapy.
10. How often should a dog with PLE be monitored?
Dogs with PLE typically require frequent veterinary follow-ups, including blood work and physical exams, to monitor protein levels, hydration, weight, and response to treatment, as well as to catch complications early.
11. Are there complications associated with PLE?
Yes — complications can include edema or fluid buildup in body cavities, risk of blood clot formation, immune suppression, and secondary deficiencies in vitamins and minerals due to malabsorption.
12. When should I see a vet if I suspect my dog has PLE?
Seek veterinary care if your dog has persistent diarrhea, unexplained weight loss, lethargy, visible swelling, or other concerning symptoms. Early diagnosis and targeted treatment improve outcomes.
