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  #1  
Old July 7th, 2003, 07:41 PM
Lynn Denney Lynn Denney is offline
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blood work

This morning I had some blood work done on my miniature dachshund Dick and the vet told me he has very low protien. What does that mean? What causes it? What cures it?
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  #2  
Old July 17th, 2003, 02:04 PM
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petdr petdr is offline
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Dog has low protein

Low protein could mean many things. I guess right at the onset I would start monitoring for weight loss as being the biggest indicator of whether this is a more serious problem.

Low protein means he is either not eating enough protein or if he is, he is either not digesting it or absorbing it properly. Secondly if that is not the problem, he may be losing it before he can utilize it eg he may be losing large quantities when he pees, which would indicate a problem with kidney function.

Both conditions have very different meanings and diagnostic approaches and treatments and would require a lot of factors to examine including doing a stool parasite test, do a urine test to test check for protein levels in the urine, examining the possibility of food or digestion intolerances or deficiencies.

It is likely that a recheck on blood will need to be run in the near future and that a step by step approach would need to be taken to determine whether low protein in this case was an incidental finding or whether it indicates something medical.

Good luck and remember to monitor the weight weekly - it will be a good indicator. Let your vet guide you on the direction to follow.

Martin Slome DVM

Centre Street Animal Hospital
7700 Bathurst Street Units, 40-42
Thornhill
Ontario
L4J 7Y3

Tel. (905) 771-9855
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  #3  
Old May 2nd, 2004, 11:42 AM
Doc Doc is offline
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I have a dog with the same problem. She was diagnosed with low protein in a blood test as she had been losing a lot of weight. In addition whenever she eats she usually threw up her food some time after. She was checked for intenstinal blockages, which came up negative.We were told that this might have been irritable bowel syndrome, and that she should only be fed hypo-allergenic kibble, steamed chicken and fish, pasta, rice, and supplementaries. This was fine for a few weeks but now she has started throwing up even the "friendly" food, and losing weight again. The food she throws up looks as if it has been barely digested, even if she throws up some hours after eating. Being as she is only nine months old we are very concerned. Does anyone have any advice on this problem?
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Old May 2nd, 2004, 11:47 AM
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Luba Luba is offline
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Have you tried to feed small amounts of food?

Your dog may have lowered digestive enzymes, something to consider.
Supplements may help.


http://www.goodpet.com/library/enzyme.html
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Old May 9th, 2006, 05:24 PM
PeteyMagee PeteyMagee is offline
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DOC Or others

In May 2004, this message was posted by user name DOC. My Dog currently has the exact same symptoms and we can't figure anything out. If Doc sees this or anyone else knows anything about this, please contact me!: #3 May 2nd, 2004, 11:42 AM
Doc
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I have a dog with the same problem. She was diagnosed with low protein in a blood test as she had been losing a lot of weight. In addition whenever she eats she usually threw up her food some time after. She was checked for intenstinal blockages, which came up negative.We were told that this might have been irritable bowel syndrome, and that she should only be fed hypo-allergenic kibble, steamed chicken and fish, pasta, rice, and supplementaries. This was fine for a few weeks but now she has started throwing up even the "friendly" food, and losing weight again. The food she throws up looks as if it has been barely digested, even if she throws up some hours after eating. Being as she is only nine months old we are very concerned. Does anyone have any advice on this problem?
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Old May 9th, 2006, 06:39 PM
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jesse's mommy jesse's mommy is offline
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I doubt DOC will be able to get this. Sometimes members join for one reason and never come back.

As for your baby, what did the vet say to you about the low protein? Did they give you any guidance or advice as to what could be causing this or what path you can go on to help your baby? Any suggestions on types of food or anything?
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Old November 27th, 2006, 11:31 AM
Westie lover Westie lover is offline
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What can low proteine levels indicate?

Hello everyone,

I found this posting through a search engine when I searched for low proteine levels in blood. I am from the Netherlands and have a very sweet 8 year old West Highland White Terrier.

We have done extensive blood testing on our Westie. Initially the problem was that her hind legs appeared to be getting weaker. Not that she was limping or had trouble walking, but she was having trouble jumping on couches and standing on her hind legs only. Other than that she was lethargic and didnt eat properly. She also lost some weight. The only tests that were abnormal were her thyroid gland (slow) and her proteine levels were low.

SHe got better though and regained the strength in her hind legs (although not quite as strong as the were previously), she started eating more and was more active. She gained back some weight as well.

A month after the first tests and about two weeks after she looked better we did the proteine test again and it was ever so slightly better but still way too low. So we had her urine tested to see if that was how she was losing it. This was not the case. Now the next step will probably be an endoscopy, where they have a look inside with a camera (?).

What I am wondering about is what are the things that low proteine levels can indicate?? What are the prognoses and treatments? I know there are several possible causes but I would so much like to know what to prepare myself for. The doctor was reluctant to say anything because she wanted to discuss with the internist first.

I am extremely worried so any help from any of you would be much much appreciated!

Thanks,

a Westie Lover
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  #8  
Old June 7th, 2007, 07:49 AM
finny12000 finny12000 is offline
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protein deficit

im adding to this forum because our dog sally has same problems
shes a 7 year old cross collie and a few months ago was being sick quite a lot .
she was prescribed antacids for stomach which helped a little but
she was still being sick then diahorrea.
she had all the usual tests which never came back with much but then
she started fitting once or twice a week .

she had specialist tests for that and prescribed tablets .

then last week she had a massive fit and has been lacklustre
and losing weight ect.

my update is shes been in hospital for a week and had the endoscopy
which were now awaiting results on ...

a mri scan may be next on cards once we find out what the
problem is with sallys stomach ect but were siding towards a small intestine
problem
i will update this when we get results through

finn
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  #9  
Old October 14th, 2009, 07:33 PM
slg92028 slg92028 is offline
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Question Similar Problem

My 13 year old siberian just came back with a protein level of 4! She is also very aneimic. Her liver functions are fine and she is not loosing protein in her urine. Kidney functions seem to be OK.

My vet is going to start her on some antibiotic powder with her meals starting tomorrow. He said that she will have to take this for 2 months. His hope is that there is something intestinal to clear up.

She has no diarheia. She does often throw up slightly between 4 and 9 in the morning.

The only other symptoms are that her arthritis seems to be getting much worse.

Hope someone can shed some light.
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  #10  
Old September 12th, 2011, 09:25 PM
kelin kelin is offline
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I'm posting here in hopes I can find an answer. My 7 year old english bull dog has lost 26 lbs since Jan 2010. She's losing her hair. Vomiting and liquid stool then hard stool. She was tested today and due to her low protein level .8 she has fluid build up around her lungs. We are taking her to have an ultra sound tomorrow.

Vet says it's either severe IBD or lymphoma. If it's lymphoma there is nothing they can do other than make her comfortable until we choose to help her pass. If it's severe IBD they will treat it with steroids (which she's been receiving via injections to keep her from vomiting and her stool problems) and chemo medication... I assume the chemo meds will kill off the cell in her intestinal tract that is causing the inflammation and the steroids will bring the inflammation down.

I hope this helps someone else and would appreciate any word from you if a better treatment is found for your furbabies.

Linda
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