Assistant professor Michigan State University Williamston, Michigan, United States
Presentation Description / Summary: Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a complex gastrointestinal condition in dogs, which has historically had a guarded prognosis. This session will present and examine current research findings and their relevance to how we conceptualize, diagnose, and treat this complex disorder. The session will explore available evidence regarding the underlying causes of PLE in dogs, examining and debating whether inflammatory PLE simply represents the severe end of the chronic enteropathy spectrum or involves distinct pathophysiological processes. Participants will review how current research informs diagnostic strategies and therapeutic interventions, including approaches for managing steroid-refractory cases. The lecture will evaluate existing and novel treatment approaches in the context of our evolving understanding of PLE pathophysiology, discussing evidence-based strategies that may optimize patient outcomes. Through both research data and case examples, attendees will examine the clinical implications of distinguishing between distinct forms of PLE, and how this differentiation impacts treatment decisions and prognostic assessments in clinical practice.
Learning Objectives:
Analyze current research findings on canine PLE and evaluate the evidence supporting protein-losing enteropathy as either a spectrum endpoint of chronic enteropathy, distinct disease entity, or both.
Apply evidence-based diagnostic and treatment strategies for canine PLE that incorporate current understanding of underlying pathophysiology, including the selection of appropriate therapeutic interventions for both steroid-responsive and steroid-refractory cases.
