Researchers studied 58 dogs with a serious intestinal condition called protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), where the intestines leak important proteins into the stool. Most dogs came to a veterinary nutrition specialist after already getting some help from their regular vet. The study found that dogs fed special homemade diets with very little fat showed the best results. On average, these dogs lived about 4.5 years after diagnosis. The research shows that working with a nutrition expert and feeding the right diet can help dogs with this condition feel better and live longer.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How dogs with a serious intestinal disease (where the intestines leak protein) respond to special diets recommended by nutrition experts
  • Who participated: 58 pet dogs with protein-losing enteropathy that were referred to a veterinary nutrition service. Most had already tried some treatments before coming to the specialist.
  • Key finding: Dogs fed ultra-low-fat homemade diets (diets with very little fat made at home) showed the most improvement. About half the dogs had diarrhea when they first visited the specialist, but many improved with the right diet. The average dog lived about 4.5 years after diagnosis.
  • What it means for you: If your dog has protein-losing enteropathy, seeing a nutrition specialist and feeding a special low-fat homemade diet may help your dog feel better and live longer. However, this is a serious condition that needs ongoing veterinary care and monitoring.

The Research Details

This was a retrospective study, which means researchers looked back at medical records of 58 dogs that had already been treated. They collected information about what the dogs ate, what symptoms they had, and how their blood test results changed over time. The researchers tracked each dog at four different time points: when they were first diagnosed, when they came to the nutrition specialist, about 2-3 months after seeing the specialist, and at their most recent check-up.

The researchers measured important blood proteins (albumin and globulin) and cholesterol levels to see if the dogs were improving. They also looked at what diets the dogs were eating before coming to the specialist, what diet the specialist recommended, and whether the dogs got better. The study used statistical methods to analyze the data and figure out how long dogs typically survived after diagnosis.

This study is important because protein-losing enteropathy is a serious condition that vets see fairly often, but there isn’t much published information about how different diets affect these dogs. By looking at real cases from a nutrition specialist’s office, the researchers could see which diets actually worked best in practice. This helps other vets and pet owners understand what to expect and what dietary changes might help.

This study looked at real dogs treated in a real veterinary clinic, which makes the findings practical and relevant. However, because it’s a retrospective study looking at past records, the researchers couldn’t control all the variables like they could in a controlled experiment. Some dogs may have received other treatments besides diet changes. The study doesn’t have a control group of dogs that didn’t get the special diet, so we can’t be 100% sure the diet alone caused the improvement. The study is descriptive rather than experimental, meaning it shows what happened but doesn’t prove cause and effect.

What the Results Show

When dogs first came to the nutrition specialist, more than half (52%) had diarrhea, and 43% had lost weight. About 14% were vomiting, and 9% had lost their appetite. The dogs’ blood tests showed low levels of important proteins, which is the main problem with this disease.

The most common diet that dogs were eating before coming to the specialist was an ultra-low-fat homemade diet (60% of dogs). This same type of diet was also what the nutrition specialist most often recommended (48% of cases). Ultra-low-fat means the diet had very little fat, which appears to help reduce the intestinal symptoms.

The study found that dogs referred to the nutrition specialist had usually already gotten some improvement from their regular vet before coming in. The nutrition specialist’s job was often to fine-tune the diet to make sure it had all the right nutrients while still controlling the symptoms. Most dogs (47%) came to the specialist specifically to make sure their diet was balanced and complete.

The blood test results showed that dogs had low albumin (a protein made by the liver) averaging 2.40 g/dL, which is below normal. Globulin (another type of protein) was also low at 2.43 g/dL. Cholesterol was also lower than normal at 129 mg/dL. These numbers reflect how much protein the intestines were losing. The study didn’t report detailed information about how much these numbers improved after the diet changes, but the fact that dogs survived an average of 4.5 years suggests the treatments were helping.

There is very little published research on how dogs with protein-losing enteropathy respond to different diets, so this study fills an important gap. Previous research has suggested that low-fat diets might help, and this study confirms that ultra-low-fat homemade diets are indeed the most commonly used and recommended approach. The long survival time (4.5 years median) is encouraging and suggests that with proper nutrition management, dogs with this condition can live reasonably long lives.

This study only looked at dogs that were referred to a nutrition specialist, so it doesn’t include dogs with this condition that were treated only by regular vets. This might mean the dogs in this study were more severely affected or had more complicated cases. The study didn’t have a control group of dogs that didn’t get the special diet, so we can’t be completely sure the diet alone caused the improvement. Some dogs may have received other treatments (like medications) that also helped. The study didn’t provide detailed information about how much each dog’s symptoms improved or how long it took to see improvement. The researchers didn’t report information about which specific homemade diets worked best or what ingredients were most important.

The Bottom Line

If your dog has protein-losing enteropathy: (1) Work with a veterinary nutrition specialist to develop a special diet plan - this appears to be very helpful based on this research (High confidence). (2) An ultra-low-fat homemade diet is the most commonly recommended approach and may be worth discussing with your vet (Moderate-to-High confidence). (3) Have regular blood tests to monitor your dog’s protein levels and overall health (High confidence). (4) Be patient - improvement may take weeks to months (Moderate confidence). (5) Don’t stop working with your regular vet - this is a serious condition that needs ongoing medical care (High confidence).

This research is most relevant for: Dogs diagnosed with protein-losing enteropathy, their owners, and veterinarians treating this condition. Pet owners whose dogs have chronic diarrhea, weight loss, or vomiting should discuss this condition with their vet. This research is less relevant for dogs with other types of digestive problems or for people without pets. If your dog has been diagnosed with PLE, this information could help you understand treatment options and what to expect.

Based on this study, you should expect: Initial improvement in symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting) within 2-3 months of starting the special diet. Blood test improvements may take 2-3 months to become noticeable. Full stabilization of the condition may take 3-6 months. With proper diet management, dogs can live several years (average 4.5 years in this study), though individual dogs vary greatly. Some dogs may improve quickly while others improve more slowly.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your dog’s daily symptoms: (1) Stool quality (normal, soft, or diarrhea) - rate 1-5 each day, (2) Appetite level - note if your dog ate their full meal, (3) Energy level - rate 1-5, (4) Weight - weigh weekly and track trend, (5) Vomiting episodes - count per week. Take photos of stool quality for your vet.
  • Create a consistent feeding schedule with the recommended special diet. Set phone reminders for meal times. Keep a simple food diary noting what your dog ate and any symptoms that day. Schedule and attend all recommended vet check-ups and blood tests. If trying a new diet, introduce it gradually over 7-10 days while tracking symptoms in the app.
  • Weekly: Track daily symptoms and weight. Monthly: Review symptom trends in the app and share with your vet. Every 3 months: Get blood tests done and compare results to previous tests. Every 6 months: Have a nutrition check-in with your vet or nutrition specialist. Use the app to identify patterns - for example, does your dog do worse on certain foods or after certain activities?

This research describes a serious medical condition in dogs that requires professional veterinary care. The findings are based on a study of dogs that were referred to a nutrition specialist and may not apply to all dogs with protein-losing enteropathy. Do not attempt to diagnose or treat your dog based on this information alone. Always consult with your veterinarian before making dietary changes or starting any treatment. A veterinary nutrition specialist can provide personalized recommendations based on your individual dog’s needs, medical history, and test results. This information is educational and should not replace professional veterinary medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.