Help Find A Treatment for Axton’s Protein Losing Enteropathy

In August of this year, my world was turned upside down when my beloved Axton was diagnosed with Protein-Losing Enteropathy (PLE), a mysterious and challenging condition that has left him struggling to maintain weight and absorb vital nutrients from his food. This all started with Axton experiencing rapid weight loss and chronic diarrhea. Despite trying common treatments like antibiotics, probiotics, de-wormers and added fiber, his symptoms only worsened. That’s when the vets decided to run a blood test and discovered his albumin levels were dangerously low, a key indicator of PLE in dogs.

PLE means that the nutrients and proteins from the food Axton eats aren’t being absorbed properly by his small intestine. No matter how much he eats, he can’t seem to gain weight. From that point, we began a long journey to uncover the underlying cause of his condition. Extensive testing for potential causes turned up inconclusive results, and even when possible treatments were tried, they didn’t improve his condition. An exploratory biopsy of his GI tract revealed mainly inflammation and swelling, but we still didn’t know why.

Axton has been on steroids and a variety of medications and diets, but nothing has worked. His weight continues to drop, and the steroids have negative side effects, making this treatment unsustainable in the long term. The vets believe we have tried nearly everything to help him, but there could still be something we are missing. We have now been referred to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in Saskatoon, where Axton will undergo a thorough examination with specialized equipment, a team of veterinary experts and internal medicine specialists who may be able to provide the answers we desperately need. His appointment date is January 6, 2025.

Axton is more than just a dog; he’s my best friend, and I’m committed to doing everything in my power to help him. I’m reaching out to you, our community, for support in this critical time. The costs of testing, treatments, and specialized care at WCVM are significant, and we need your help to ensure Axton gets the care he needs to fight this condition.

Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference in Axton’s journey to recovery. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity and support. Axton deserves a chance to live a long, healthy life, and with your help, I hope to make that possible.