Lethargic dog at a bit of a loss
Discussion
10 y/o chihuahua x pug, rescue 7 yrs in the family. Normally a food monster and woofs down whatever is presented, athletic, vocal, jumps, walks for hours, tail never stops, barks at the slightest provocation.
2 weeks ago, she started refusing her food (kibbles) treats and biscuits disregarded, tried all the normal stuff scrambled egg, specialist wet food, tinned sardines, fresh chicken, cheese, ham. She tries a little then goes off these too.
Other symptoms
Lethargic, subdued, trembles a lot, if she does bark it's not her usual yap, more high pitched, short walks, tail up and sniffing but low energy. (I can get her to take the odd treat) but sometimes refuses, when this 1st started she was struggling with stairs (still jumps on a chair) but can manage these ok now. She had an odd demeanour and looked really zonked out. She's improved enough to manage the stairs.
Drinks loads more water than usual, slight weight loss, slightly incontinent at night, poo normal (slightly less volume) plenty of peeing, no vomit (except a bit of foamy bile a couple of mornings) temperature normal (it was slightly raised) slightly swollen lymph glands in her bottom and neck. No sign of pain, no unusual lumps, gums look healthy. Occasionally she bucks up in the afternoon and will take a little fresh chicken, but it has to be in tiny pieces and eaten slowly (no chance of concealing tablets in it)
We've been to our local vet 3 times, they're at a bit of a loss and describe her as clinically ok, prescribed pain killers and on the second visit antibiotics. We've had trouble administering these, she's refusing to be co-operative.
We've booked another vet appointment tomorrow and requested bloods be taken, but no idea what we need to be looking for, I'm not sure the vet does either. She's never been keen on vets, but presents quite well, gets lively, you wouldn't suspect anything was wrong.
Anyone with any ideas?
2 weeks ago, she started refusing her food (kibbles) treats and biscuits disregarded, tried all the normal stuff scrambled egg, specialist wet food, tinned sardines, fresh chicken, cheese, ham. She tries a little then goes off these too.
Other symptoms
Lethargic, subdued, trembles a lot, if she does bark it's not her usual yap, more high pitched, short walks, tail up and sniffing but low energy. (I can get her to take the odd treat) but sometimes refuses, when this 1st started she was struggling with stairs (still jumps on a chair) but can manage these ok now. She had an odd demeanour and looked really zonked out. She's improved enough to manage the stairs.
Drinks loads more water than usual, slight weight loss, slightly incontinent at night, poo normal (slightly less volume) plenty of peeing, no vomit (except a bit of foamy bile a couple of mornings) temperature normal (it was slightly raised) slightly swollen lymph glands in her bottom and neck. No sign of pain, no unusual lumps, gums look healthy. Occasionally she bucks up in the afternoon and will take a little fresh chicken, but it has to be in tiny pieces and eaten slowly (no chance of concealing tablets in it)
We've been to our local vet 3 times, they're at a bit of a loss and describe her as clinically ok, prescribed pain killers and on the second visit antibiotics. We've had trouble administering these, she's refusing to be co-operative.
We've booked another vet appointment tomorrow and requested bloods be taken, but no idea what we need to be looking for, I'm not sure the vet does either. She's never been keen on vets, but presents quite well, gets lively, you wouldn't suspect anything was wrong.
Anyone with any ideas?
What tests have the vets done?
From your post, it sounds like they're only now doing bloods, at your request. I would have expected them to be done at the second or third visit (or potentially the first!) Apologies if I'm misunderstanding.
As solo2 mentions, with the thirst, urination and weight loss, I'd be concerned about diabetes and kidney issues.
Having lost two dogs to it, lethargy always rings danger bells with me about Hemangiosarcoma, but I don't think the other symptoms really fit.
The other thing one of my dogs had was IMHA (Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia) which also requires a blood test but I would expect pale gums with that.
Hope you can get some answers tomorrow.
From your post, it sounds like they're only now doing bloods, at your request. I would have expected them to be done at the second or third visit (or potentially the first!) Apologies if I'm misunderstanding.
As solo2 mentions, with the thirst, urination and weight loss, I'd be concerned about diabetes and kidney issues.
Having lost two dogs to it, lethargy always rings danger bells with me about Hemangiosarcoma, but I don't think the other symptoms really fit.
The other thing one of my dogs had was IMHA (Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia) which also requires a blood test but I would expect pale gums with that.
Hope you can get some answers tomorrow.
Edited by moorx on Thursday 24th April 21:36
Edited by moorx on Thursday 24th April 21:37
Sounds very similar to the situation I have with my 15 yo dog right now. Gone off food, usually drinks loads but hasn’t drank anywhere near as much as usual since yesterday. Every time I take him to the vets he perks up and makes me look like a liar whilst landing me with a big bill to essentially be told nothing is wrong. Think they’re just putting a lot of it down to old age but the not drinking thing is new for him so I guess it’ll be vet visit again unless he wakes up and takes a nice big gulp
My dog had similar symptoms and it turned out to she had developed hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). She also had some hair loss.
This was a few years ago when she was about 8. Standard Schnauzer.
Half a thyroxin tablet twice a day sorted it out and she has not had the symptoms again.
Hopefully the bloods will test for this.
Good luck!
boomboomboomboom said:
My dog had similar symptoms and it turned out to she had developed hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). She also had some hair loss.
This was a few years ago when she was about 8. Standard Schnauzer.
Half a thyroxin tablet twice a day sorted it out and she has not had the symptoms again.
Hopefully the bloods will test for this.
Good luck!
Good call - I also had a dog with that (I've had a lot of dogs!) but couldn't recall the symptoms fully.This was a few years ago when she was about 8. Standard Schnauzer.
Half a thyroxin tablet twice a day sorted it out and she has not had the symptoms again.
Hopefully the bloods will test for this.
Good luck!
Huzzah said:
Just had a call back from the Vet.
Blood tests show high potassium levels, which indicate kidney problems. She's eating (but very picky) now, on Monday we'll get a face to face with the Vet to discuss managing the condition and ongoing treatment.
Symptoms sound very like my Staffie who sadly had to be pts recently. She was always urinating in the house at night, drank all her water at night, went out for a wee at 830am and then went back to bed at the end. We woke up to a terrible mess in the house, took her to the vets and she advised pts as she was very stressed at the vets. Like my Lab her kidneys had gone quickly I think, she was 14. The end came very quickly. I hope your pooch recovers fingers crossed. Blood tests show high potassium levels, which indicate kidney problems. She's eating (but very picky) now, on Monday we'll get a face to face with the Vet to discuss managing the condition and ongoing treatment.
lost in espace said:
Huzzah said:
Just had a call back from the Vet.
Blood tests show high potassium levels, which indicate kidney problems. She's eating (but very picky) now, on Monday we'll get a face to face with the Vet to discuss managing the condition and ongoing treatment.
Symptoms sound very like my Staffie who sadly had to be pts recently. She was always urinating in the house at night, drank all her water at night, went out for a wee at 830am and then went back to bed at the end. We woke up to a terrible mess in the house, took her to the vets and she advised pts as she was very stressed at the vets. Like my Lab her kidneys had gone quickly I think, she was 14. The end came very quickly. I hope your pooch recovers fingers crossed. Blood tests show high potassium levels, which indicate kidney problems. She's eating (but very picky) now, on Monday we'll get a face to face with the Vet to discuss managing the condition and ongoing treatment.
Will discuss with Vet on Monday.
Thanks chaps,
I've received a copy of the bloods. Not high potassium levels, high creatinine levels, indicating chronic renal failure.
Discussed paliative care, vet thinks a couple of weeks. However this morning she's eaten a couple of meat balls, looks bright and alert, had a 20min walk and looks like she's up for more.
If she was in discomfort or looked unwell, an easier decision to make. We've a bank holiday coming up and I don't want to be in a situation where she starts to decline and we're in the hands of the emergency vet.
Before all this started.
I've received a copy of the bloods. Not high potassium levels, high creatinine levels, indicating chronic renal failure.
Discussed paliative care, vet thinks a couple of weeks. However this morning she's eaten a couple of meat balls, looks bright and alert, had a 20min walk and looks like she's up for more.
If she was in discomfort or looked unwell, an easier decision to make. We've a bank holiday coming up and I don't want to be in a situation where she starts to decline and we're in the hands of the emergency vet.
Before all this started.
lost in espace said:
Symptoms sound very like my Staffie who sadly had to be pts recently. She was always urinating in the house at night, drank all her water at night, went out for a wee at 830am and then went back to bed at the end. We woke up to a terrible mess in the house, took her to the vets and she advised pts as she was very stressed at the vets. Like my Lab her kidneys had gone quickly I think, she was 14. The end came very quickly. I hope your pooch recovers fingers crossed.
How long between noticing symptoms and the end?Currently Bonnie is looking lively again, jumping up, barking at the door, prancing around the garden eating meat balls (vet says whatever she'll eat is ok)
Looking a bit wasted, but 3 weeks of not eating much doesn't help, night time ncontinence reduced.
Vet says a couple of weeks, but she's still enjoying life.
Huzzah said:
How long between noticing symptoms and the end?
Currently Bonnie is looking lively again, jumping up, barking at the door, prancing around the garden eating meat balls (vet says whatever she'll eat is ok)
Looking a bit wasted, but 3 weeks of not eating much doesn't help, night time ncontinence reduced.
Vet says a couple of weeks, but she's still enjoying life.
Mine got put to sleep in the end. The urinating, excessive drinking and mess in the house lasted about 6 months and got progressively worse. The issue for my boy was he stopped drinking and then I managed to get him to and thought we were in the clear but still went to the vets. Got some painkillers and thought he would get better or at worst have a few weeks with us. Within another 24 hours I was back and having to let him go as I was literally having to force water down with a sports bottle to squirt it in but he was just refusing to take it. It seemed cruel to keep forcing him to live because I knew I would miss him so much. Currently Bonnie is looking lively again, jumping up, barking at the door, prancing around the garden eating meat balls (vet says whatever she'll eat is ok)
Looking a bit wasted, but 3 weeks of not eating much doesn't help, night time ncontinence reduced.
Vet says a couple of weeks, but she's still enjoying life.
Fingers crossed you have a better outcome for your dog!
We kinda know what to expect. MILs dog had the same condition 2018, unpleasant at the end so don't want to leave it too long.
Seems a bit changeable, yesterday good appetite chomped through some meat balls for breakfast, tried her some Canin prescription renal food, 1/4 tin went down like nobodies business but wouldn't touch it this morning. So an anti nausea tablet, followed an hr later with some more meatballs.
Since we've got her eating properly her demeanor is better, sniffer down wagger up on walks, jumping on and off the bed, trotting around the place like a pup, barking again (I never thought I'd be grateful to hear that!)
She doesn't seem quite as thirsty, getting up about 3am to let her out for a pee but no trouble holding it, poo looks normal.
Seems a bit changeable, yesterday good appetite chomped through some meat balls for breakfast, tried her some Canin prescription renal food, 1/4 tin went down like nobodies business but wouldn't touch it this morning. So an anti nausea tablet, followed an hr later with some more meatballs.
Since we've got her eating properly her demeanor is better, sniffer down wagger up on walks, jumping on and off the bed, trotting around the place like a pup, barking again (I never thought I'd be grateful to hear that!)
She doesn't seem quite as thirsty, getting up about 3am to let her out for a pee but no trouble holding it, poo looks normal.
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