Changes

==Description==

==Description==

'''Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE)''' can result from any intestinal disease which produces sufficient [[Inflammation - Pathology|inflammation]], congestion or bleeding.  This causes protein to leak into the intestines, which exceeds capacity of the gut lumen protein synthesis.  Hence, there are numerous causes of PLE, including [[Lymphangiectasia - WikiClinical|lymphangiectasia]], infectious causes, structural causes, neoplasia, [[Inflammation - Pathology|inflammation]], endoparasites and gastrointestinal [[Haemorrhage - Pathology|haemorrhage]].   

'''Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE)''' can result from any intestinal disease which produces sufficient [[Inflammation - Pathology|inflammation]], congestion or bleeding.  This causes protein to leak into the intestines, which exceeds capacity of the gut lumen protein synthesis.  Hence, there are numerous causes of PLE, including [[Lymphangiectasia|lymphangiectasia]], infectious causes, structural causes, neoplasia, [[Inflammation - Pathology|inflammation]], endoparasites and gastrointestinal [[Haemorrhage - Pathology|haemorrhage]].   

The major causes of PLE in adult dogs are [[Inflammatory Bowel Disease|inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)]], alimentary tract lymphoma, fungal infections (e.g. [[Systemic Mycoses #Histoplasmosis|histoplasmosis]]).  Other causes include ulcerations or erosions, severe disease of intestinal crypts and parasites.  The most common causes in very young dogs are [[Uncinaria stenocephala|hookworms]] and chronic intussusception.  Chronic intussusception results from acute enteritis which has not resolved completely.  The animal shows some clinical improvement but diarrhoea still continues.  PLE is less common in cats than dogs, and most often caused by alimentary tract lymphoma and IBD.  Cats almost never suffer from [[Lymphangiectasia - WikiClinical|lymphangiectasia]], and rarely have severe parasitic infection severe enough to cause PLE.  Non-intestinal diseases can be associated with PLE include ][[Pathophysiology of Heart Failure - Pathology|congestive heart failure]], caval obstruction and portal hypertension.  However, these animals usually present with ascites rather than [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]].

The major causes of PLE in adult dogs are [[Inflammatory Bowel Disease|inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)]], alimentary tract lymphoma, fungal infections (e.g. [[Systemic Mycoses #Histoplasmosis|histoplasmosis]]).  Other causes include ulcerations or erosions, severe disease of intestinal crypts and parasites.  The most common causes in very young dogs are [[Uncinaria stenocephala|hookworms]] and chronic intussusception.  Chronic intussusception results from acute enteritis which has not resolved completely.  The animal shows some clinical improvement but diarrhoea still continues.  PLE is less common in cats than dogs, and most often caused by alimentary tract lymphoma and IBD.  Cats almost never suffer from [[Lymphangiectasia|lymphangiectasia]], and rarely have severe parasitic infection severe enough to cause PLE.  Non-intestinal diseases can be associated with PLE include ][[Pathophysiology of Heart Failure - Pathology|congestive heart failure]], caval obstruction and portal hypertension.  However, these animals usually present with ascites rather than [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]].

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

===Histopathology===

===Histopathology===

*Endoscopically-guided multiple biopsies are useful.  Surgical biopsy may be required for a definitive diagnosis of lymphoma and [[Lymphangiectasia - WikiClinical #Description|secondary lymphangiectasia]].  A small fatty meal could be given the night before biopsy to increase the chance of diagnosing [[Lymphangiectasia - WikiClinical|lymphangiectasia]].

*Endoscopically-guided multiple biopsies are useful.  Surgical biopsy may be required for a definitive diagnosis of lymphoma and [[Lymphangiectasia#Description|secondary lymphangiectasia]].  A small fatty meal could be given the night before biopsy to increase the chance of diagnosing [[Lymphangiectasia|lymphangiectasia]].