[Protein-losing enteropathy of non neoplastic origin in the dog: a retrospective study of 34 cases]

This study reports the results in 34 dogs with protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). Rottweilers and Yorkshire Terriers were overrepresented. Most obvious clinical signs and laboratory findings were diarrhea (91 %), weight loss (74 %), anorexia (56 %), lethargy (51 %), ascites (18 %), ascites without gastrointestinal signs (9 %), hypoalbuminemia (<12 g/l, 65 %) and hypocholesterolemia (51 %). Ultrasonographic findings included intestinal wall thickening in 71 %, abnormal echogenicity in 68 %, and no abnormalities in 29 %. The most important endoscopic findings were diffuse and profound dilation of villi in 35 %, a more granular appearing mucous membrane in 32 % and a "rice-grain" appearing villus dilation in 12 %. In 21 % of the dogs the mucous membrane was considered unremarkable. Histologically, 62 % had lymphangiectasia, in 86 % of these associated with moderate to severe inflammatory infiltrates, and in 71 % associated with dilatation of intestinal crypts. In 68 % of the dogs lesions in intestinal crypts were found, 35 % of these without lymphangiectasia. In 12 % of the dogs the histological findings failed to explain intestinal protein loss. This study shows the important prevalence of crypts' lesions in protein-losing enteropathy.