Living with PLE (Protein-Losing Enteropathy) in dogs can feel overwhelming for pet parents — but as Moose’s journey shows, there are natural ways to support gut healing, stabilize albumin levels, and improve quality of life.
Moose is a 69-lb Goldendoodle. When he was diagnosed with Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE), his mom was told what many pet parents hear: he’d likely need prescription food, long-term steroids, and regular monitoring for the rest of his life.
He had lost 20 pounds and his ribs were sticking out. His diarrhea had lasted for months with no relief. The traditional approach—prescription diet, medications, and daily prednisone—wasn’t creating the breakthrough everyone hoped for.
But instead of stopping there, his mom began exploring another path: one focused on natural healing.
What follows is Moose’s story, an ongoing journey of healing PLE naturally through the lens of species-appropriate nutrition, gut repair, and whole-body support. It’s also a guide for pet parents everywhere who want to learn more about the possibility of reversing this diagnosis and giving their dogs the vibrant health they deserve. PLE is serious and requires the participation in treatment of an open conventional or an integrative veterinarian.
What is PLE (Protein-Losing Enteropathy)?
Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE) is a condition where dogs lose excessive amounts of protein through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This protein loss typically involves vital plasma proteins like albumin, which help maintain fluid balance in the body. In a healthy dog, the body reabsorbs proteins through the gut lining. But with PLE, something has disrupted this process, causing more protein to leak into the GI tract than the body can reclaim.
This can stem from underlying issues like chronic inflammation (such as IBD), abnormalities in the lymphatic system (like intestinal lymphangiectasia), infections, tumors, or even congestive heart failure. The result is low blood protein levels, which can cause a range of systemic issues.
Risks of Untreated or Severe PLE
When blood albumin levels fall below 2.0 g/dL, the body is no longer able to maintain proper oncotic (fluid-balancing) pressure. This can result in fluid leaking from blood vessels into surrounding tissues, leading to edema (swelling), ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen), and even pleural effusion (fluid around the lungs). These complications are not only uncomfortable but can quickly become life-threatening if left unaddressed. Dogs with severely low albumin are also more prone to infections and poor wound healing due to compromised immune and repair functions. That’s why monitoring albumin closely and responding quickly is essential.
Common Symptoms of PLE
Pet parents may notice symptoms like chronic diarrhea, weight loss, decreased appetite, swelling in the limbs or belly (edema or ascites), low energy, or changes in coat quality. In severe cases, fluid accumulation in the chest or abdomen may interfere with breathing or comfort. In these cases, don’t wait. Get your dog to the vet or ER.
Is This Just a Dog Thing?
PLE is most common in dogs, especially certain breeds like Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, Basenjis, and Yorkshire Terriers. It can occur in cats, but it’s much rarer. The mechanisms are similar—excess protein lost through the gut—but feline cases are less studied and understood.
What Causes PLE? A Root-Level Look at the Gut
Protein-Losing Enteropathy isn’t a disease itself, but a consequence of something deeper going on in the body. Many cases stem from chronic intestinal inflammation, most often due to a compromised gut lining — commonly referred to as Leaky Gut Syndrome. This condition allows undigested food particles, toxins, and pathogens to leak through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream, triggering systemic immune responses and inflammation.
In humans, it’s associated with IBS, autoimmune issues, food sensitivities, and fatigue. In pets, it often shows up as:
– PLE
– IBD
– Chronic diarrhea or vomiting
– Skin conditions or allergies
– Immune system imbalance
Conventional PLE Treatment
Most veterinarians treat PLE with a combination of tools intended to reduce inflammation and support nutrient absorption. These often include:
– Prescription hydrolyzed or low-fat kibble
– Prednisone or other corticosteroids to suppress immune-driven inflammation
– B12 injections to address poor absorption in the small intestine
– Antibiotics to reduce suspected bacterial overgrowth or potential secondary infections — though these can further disrupt the gut microbiome if not followed by supportive care
This approach can help manage symptoms in the short term but doesn’t always address the root cause: chronic inflammation and a damaged gut lining.
That was the case with Moose.
Moose’s Protocol: A Healing-Based Approach
When Moose began this journey, he was underweight, low-energy, and dealing with persistent diarrhea that had lasted for months. He had already been through multiple rounds of antibiotics, was eating a prescription hydrolyzed kibble, and was on 20 mg of prednisone daily.
His albumin was at 1.7 g/dL, a level too low to support proper healing or nutrient absorption, and he’d already had one bout of fluid build-up around his lungs. His mom had tried everything she could through conventional care, but he just wasn’t improving.
We began with a reset — not by piling on supplements or making dramatic changes all at once, but by removing the pressure from his gut and giving his system a chance to stabilize.
First 24 Hours – 2 Weeks: Reset & Stabilization
Moose was transitioned to a simple, temporary potato-based diet — using well-cooked white and sweet potatoes with gently cooked lean turkey. Turkey was chosen specifically for its low-fat profile, which makes it easier to digest and less likely to trigger flare-ups in dogs with protein-losing enteropathy.
Meals were divided into multiple small portions each day to reduce digestive burden.
We also introduced Diar‑Relief — a homeopathic liquid formula that’s been a trusted holistic remedy for decades. It contains a blend of gentle homeopathics, along with kaolin and pectin, and works by stimulating the body’s own healing response. It’s a safe, non-drug option that can be a powerful addition to a pet parent’s at-home gut support toolkit.
In Moose’s case, just one dose, given alongside his reset diet, helped turn months of unrelenting diarrhea into formed stool within 24 hours. By two weeks, his stools were fully normal, and he was more energetic and playful.
Weeks 2–5: Beginning Gut-Healing Support
With stools now consistently formed and energy improving, we began introducing gut-supportive supplements, one at a time:
– L‑Glutamine: introduced between weeks 2–3; nourishes the intestinal lining and supports mucosal repair
– Protect (Four Leaf Rover): a soil-based probiotic with prebiotics and binders to gently rebuild the microbiome
– DGL Plus: a blend of licorice, aloe, slippery elm, and marshmallow root for soothing and coating the GI tract
Each supplement was added slowly, with attention to stool quality, energy, and appetite.
Weeks 5–8: Transitioning to a Raw Diet
As Moose’s gut stabilized, we began slowly transitioning him off the potato-based diet and onto a species-appropriate raw food diet. This was done gradually throughout the second month, starting with small amounts of a clean, trusted raw brand, while decreasing the cooked ingredients.
By the end of month two, Moose was thriving on raw. He had some softer stools and constipation for a few days, and then his body adjusted. His stools returned to normal, his energy was strong, and he was gaining and maintaining weight.
Month 3: Deepening the Support with Ion Pet
Once Moose had maintained stability in weight, energy, and digestion, we added Ion Pet — a fulvic/humic acid supplement designed to support gut wall integrity, cellular signaling, and overall mineral absorption. This was added during month three as part of his ongoing recovery support. We also added food-based omega-3’s with sardines packed in water, no added salt. With everything, we started slowly and increased slowly.
Moose’s Albumin & Prednisone Timeline
Moose’s albumin levels, from the beginning of the protocol, rose quickly. After his 1.7 level before we began, within two weeks, the his albumin had risen to 2.6. The normal range is 2.6 – 3.5. After another month, his levels were at 2.8. He was moving in the right direction.
Along this journey, Moose’s vet felt comfortable halving his prednisone daily dose and then, after a month, prescribing that new dose, every other day.
Hope for Dogs with PLE
Moose’s healing journey is still unfolding — and the progress is real.
His weight has stabilized at 70 lbs. He’s playful, engaged, and eating a fresh, species-appropriate diet. His gut is absorbing nutrients again, and he’s on the lowest dose of steroids since he was diagnosed.
If you’re dealing with a diagnosis of Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE) in your dog, it can feel confusing, scary, and overwhelming. There’s so much to understand—and so much at stake. But there is also real, grounded hope. Every animal is an individual and what might work very well for one, might need tweaking or a different approach for another. And, we’ve seen time and again that, with species appropriate real food, targeted supplements and treatments, going slowing and strategically, and with the right support, dogs can heal. Moose’s story is a hopeful reminder that PLE diagnosis doesn’t have to be a life sentence.
To learn more about working with me, reach out to Jody@TeicheWellness.com.
