low protein levels

[travelers]

Has anyone had any experience with very very low protein levels in their dogs?
The finest, sweetest dog I know (except for and maybe including mine) is fighting for his life and no one has been able to say what is wrong. He, Reuben, had a terrible bout of bloody stools and then another and was taken to the vet, who checked blood and liver/kidney function and said his protein levels were dangerously low. Because he and my cousin Val, who owns him, live in a very rural area in Nova Scotia he had to be taken to Dartmouth (across the bay from Halifax) to the EM for the night. The local vet has no one there at night or on weekends. They won't let Val see him or be with him.
Reuben is walked on leash, ate as usual the day before this happened and did not throw up.
What causes protein levels to drop?
Please cross your fingers and paws for this very special Canaan dog, my Quiddi's best friend. I formerly posted pictures of Reuben the big black dog, with Quiddi and they were Jan. 1 poster boys on the CorgiAid calendar a couple of years ago.
Beth

[Bobbie]

There is something called Protein Losing Enteropathy which could account for symptoms like those. I don't know anything about it, though, or whether there are other likely causes.

[travelers]

Thanks Bobbie, I'll mention that to Valerie. The vet at EM in Dartmouth mentioned Addison's but since Reuben wasn't weak, or lethargic or vomiting I wonder why they think that. Of course they didn't see him when he was first taken to his usual vet, just after hours, 1/2 a day later. Apparently he pranced right into the regular vet, even with the terrible rounds of bloody diarrhea he had.
If he lasts through the weekend and they can get him back to the regular vet out at St. Margaret's Bay where they live they will do an ultrasound. But they have said not to get hopes up about him making it until Monday.
Richard and I are close to tears and hate being so far away.
Beth

[Jespah]

Beth - they could contact the University of PEI - they have a Vet college. It's about as close to one as they will be.

Deb

[Bobbie]

Here is a link with a lot of things that can be causes of low protein.

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/protein-losing-enteropathy-in-dogs-ple/page2.aspx

[CorgiMum]

{{{{{Reuben}}}}}

Sending out lots of healthy vibes for him that the Vet can find out what he needs to do to help him be well.

Barbara, Gary
Dylan & Danny