Aging Dog...my Turn To Stress

[sbk]

I have just returned after being in the US visiting family for a few months to find my aging dog, Scruffy (about 14 or 15) very thin. He is eating, quite well according to the staff, seems normal, except he is bony. His hip bones are protruding.

I wonder if this is normal in an aging dog? I noticed a bit of weight loss before I left, and I have been gone 3 months, so perhaps its just been continuing, but I must say I am worried.

Right before I went to the US, we had him checked out at the vet and all functions were normal at that time.

Any suggestions? I know its all a bit vague but it does make me a tad worried to see him so skinny.

I have to add that with the loss of Phangan Animal Care the nearest vet is a boat ride over to Samui which would be very traumatic for Scruffy, he is quite wary of strangers and absolutely terrified of foreigners

[lannarebirth]

I have just returned after being in the US visiting family for a few months to find my aging dog, Scruffy (about 14 or 15) very thin. He is eating, quite well according to the staff, seems normal, except he is bony. His hip bones are protruding.

I wonder if this is normal in an aging dog? I noticed a bit of weight loss before I left, and I have been gone 3 months, so perhaps its just been continuing, but I must say I am worried.

Right before I went to the US, we had him checked out at the vet and all functions were normal at that time.

Any suggestions? I know its all a bit vague but it does make me a tad worried to see him so skinny.

I have to add that with the loss of Phangan Animal Care the nearest vet is a boat ride over to Samui which would be very traumatic for Scruffy, he is quite wary of strangers and absolutely terrified of foreigners

Several months before my dog showed strong symptoms of an apparent disease, he began losing weight. Started to look boney. I took him to the vet for blood tests and specifice disease tests and they could find no apparent malady. I strted feeding him more and more high calorie foods in the hopes he'd put on some weight. He didn't.

Finally I took him to the vet for some x-rays to see if anything looked amiss internally. That's when they found the tumors in his lungs and shortly therafter in his shoulder. I'm not suggesting that Scruffy has anything like that, only that the normal panel of tests they tend to give here are not always revealing.

Did the blood tests show an elevated white count? If so did they prescribe any antibiotics? Is Scruffy slowing down and less agile?

I know exactly what you're seeing and feeling. I think you need to take him over to Samui. It's just heartwrenching and needless to say you have all my positive thoughts heading your way.

[Nienke]

I'm afraid I'm with Lannarebirth.

I had a 2 year old GSD who started loosing weight. Only a tinee bit. At the first vet visit the blood tests turned out to be normal, no tick desease and no intestinal worms (no X-rays done). Only a week later a huge tumor in her tummy started to show, which was confirmed by X-rays. Another GSD also started loosing some weight. She had bone cancer. Both RIP.

Tick disease can show by a dog skipping meals or not finishing it all followed by weight loss.

I'm sorry I can't give you more cheerful news.

Nienke

[bina]

i third them.... when we see an elderly dog losing wieght and kidney and liver functions are w/i the norm, we think the C word also.... lungs or other area... xray is good, then u can go from there.

how are his gums and teeth??

[Beardog]

SBK,

I hope Scruffy is alright!

[Sheryl]

Yes, better get him somewhere that a proper exam, Xrays etc can be done.

Some weight loss is not unusual when the owner has been away, my dog always loses weight when away from me, but not to the skin and bones level....

Good luck and keep us posted

[imaneggspurt]

you may have already been asked /done this but have you checked for worms ?

[PoorSucker]

Check list for canine cancer.

http://www.dogtopics.com/146/dog-cancer-sy...-and-diagnosis/

[sbk]

Worms is my best hope, cancer my worst fear. He really does get quite traumatized by strangers--as he's aged, and gotten more hard of hearing and his eyesight has gotten worse, so has his fear. Since he can't hear or see what is coming up behind him he gets startled and even more scared by these people who come "sneaking up on him"

But, better to know I think. If it is worms, how could I tell? I know he hasn't been dewormed in quite some time. His appetite is quite good, in fact, he eats more than the other dogs. His physical state seems ok, I mean, he is old so he is stiff but he's had stiffness for several years now. His activity level seems fine, same as always reallly. His gums are light with a pinkish tinge, teeth look ok.

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

If he is eating normal or a lot my guess would also be worms. I think a vet is your best bet, if it is worms it is fairly easy to cure and you will see a huge change in his health.

Hope it is nothing serious.

[Nienke]

As soon as your dog does his poo you pick some up in a plastic bag and bring this sample to the vet. He can have a look under the microscoop. Another option is that s/he sends a sample to a lab where they do a smear and/or other tests for worm (eggs), bacteria, protozoa etc.

And you can look if the poop contains adult worms. If around the anus you find some white stuff that looks like rice grains, then your dog almost certain has tapeworm.

Nienke

[roygsd]

Worms is my best hope, cancer my worst fear. He really does get quite traumatized by strangers--as he's aged, and gotten more hard of hearing and his eyesight has gotten worse, so has his fear. Since he can't hear or see what is coming up behind him he gets startled and even more scared by these people who come "sneaking up on him"

But, better to know I think. If it is worms, how could I tell? I know he hasn't been dewormed in quite some time. His appetite is quite good, in fact, he eats more than the other dogs. His physical state seems ok, I mean, he is old so he is stiff but he's had stiffness for several years now. His activity level seems fine, same as always reallly. His gums are light with a pinkish tinge, teeth look ok.

Hi, As a sensitive old dog your absence may have upset him quite a bit, as he is eating well and he has not been wormed for a while the first course of action is to give the dog a dose of a decent worming product, then unfortunately you will have to check if he has expelled any worms or eggs.

Worming dogs regularly is very important, but be prepared for the trip to the vets, old age is not avoidable and with respect 14 or 15 years is a great age for a dog paticularly in LOS, lets hope now you are home and he has been wormed he will pick up.

Good Luck

roy gsd

Edited August 27, 2008 by roygsd

[Nienke]

Several months before my dog showed strong symptoms of an apparent disease, he began losing weight. ...

... Finally I took him to the vet for some x-rays to see if anything looked amiss internally. That's when they found the tumors in his lungs and shortly therafter in his shoulder.

BTW, how is your dog, Lannarebirth? When you posted about the shovel on the CM forum I got a very nasty feeling in my gut.

It wasn't, wasn't it?

Nienke

[sbk]

Lanna's dog died, unfortunately.

[elfe]

hi sbk,

i'm very sorry your dog is showing symptoms of being unwell.

to have a better diagnose he would have to be at least x-rayed over here on samui.

my great dane also lost a lot of weight while eating a lot (also panting a lot and having fluids in his abdomen) and i took him to bkk to a vet clinic where they have special ultrasound and x-ray devices. the result was that he has a huge heart problem...

so, if the trip to the vet is somehow possible for scruffy, do it.

all the best!!

[Nienke]

Blast, this is quite a sad thread.

First SBK's post, then Lanna's dog and now Elfe's Great Dane.

Lanna, I'm really sorry about the loss of your dog. When I read that thread on the CM forum I already got strongly the feeling the funny written post was your way of dealing with your pain. I just didn't dare to question about your dog on the thread. I wish you a lot of strenght. And may your dog Rest in Peace, or better, fly over the green fields with a big happy smile on his face while playing with all our beloved ones.

Sbk I keep my fingers crossed that the cause of your dog's skinniness will be found and with med's can be cured, or kept under control.

Elfe, I'm so sorry to hear about the heart problem of your Dane. Will he be ok when on med's?

Nienke

[elfe]

hi nienke, thx for asking.

blue is still in the vet hospital in bkk. he is much better there now says the vet. but he is on meds and in a very cool room. here in my house i cannot have aircon as all doors and windows are open always. and in a seperate room i cannot lock him of course.

with the right meds he can still live but no one knows how long and it is like sitting on a volcano and not knowing when it breaks out. can pick him up again next week and am very worried how things will be from then, but will do my best to support his well being and make him happy as long as i can. he is such a wonderful dog and unfortunately heartdisease is very common in great danes.

[sbk]

Well, we've wormed him, and am feeding him more often. His energy level is up and he's gained weight. My husband said he did appear to miss me terribly (I do pay alot of attention to my dogs ) so perhaps that combined with worms wa the problem. I plan on keeping a close eye on him tho, and if it seems that the problem is not solved will make the trek to Samui. I just hate to stress the old guy, he really really freaks out with strangers.

[Beardog]

Well, we've wormed him, and am feeding him more often. His energy level is up and he's gained weight. My husband said he did appear to miss me terribly (I do pay alot of attention to my dogs ) so perhaps that combined with worms wa the problem. I plan on keeping a close eye on him tho, and if it seems that the problem is not solved will make the trek to Samui. I just hate to stress the old guy, he really really freaks out with strangers.

I hope the worming takes care of your doggies problem!

I think I care about my dog's health more than my own sometimes.