633 bytes added ,  11:30, 12 August 2009
no edit summary
Line 26: Line 26:  
==Diagnosis==
 
==Diagnosis==
 
===Clinical Signs===
 
===Clinical Signs===
 
+
*Weight loss
 +
*Chronic diarrhoea, steatorrhoea
 +
*Ascites, oedema or chylothorax may result if there is severe hypoproteinaemia or lymphatic obstruction
 +
*Increased appetite
 +
*Vomiting, lethargy and anorexia (less common)
       
===Laboratory Tests===
 
===Laboratory Tests===
 
====Haematology====
 
====Haematology====
*Lymphopaenia
+
*'''Panhypoproteinaemia'''
 +
*'''Lymphopaenia'''
    
====Biochemistry====
 
====Biochemistry====
*Hypocholesterolaemia
+
*'''Hypocholesterolaemia'''
 +
*Hypocalcaemia due to hypoproteinaemia, vitamin D and calcium malabsorption
 +
*Hypomagnesaemia
    
====Other Tests====
 
====Other Tests====
 +
*Faeacal α1-proteinase inhibitor concentrations may be used to confirm protein-losing enteropathy
       
===Diagnostic Imaging===
 
===Diagnostic Imaging===
 
+
Abdominal ultrasonography may reveal pleural fluid or ascites as well as help to narrow down other differential diagnoses.  Mucosa of intestinal loops may appear thickened due to oedema.
     
592

edits