Dog losing MAJOR weight....

[MZCsmpsns]

Our family dog, Dominique is 12 1/2... she's always acted like she's a puppy regardless of age, last year we found out she had a heart condition... she was put on pills for that... Lasix and Enalapril... she's been to the vet many times since then...last appt. was the 10th of last month... she'd maintained her health for the most part- until recently. Since then all she does is lay in bed, go out to relieve herself, and she's lost an insane amount of weight. It really happened so quickly. She used to come up to my room every morning after my dad left for work... or during storms... now she can't make it up the stairs. She is grossly skin and bone. She doesn't eat her normal dog food anymore, we've been feeding her special food to try and put weight on her, which she does eat, but it's still not working. We don't know what else to do. She has no meat on her at all... it's disgusting and it hurts to see her. We've done anything & everything but she is very rapidly wasting away. We're calling tomorrow for an appointment and we're going to see if.. ya know... if she's in pain, then... if not, then omg great. She's just going down hill sooooo quickly, too quickly. It is at a very rapid pace, insanely rapid. That's why I fear it's gonna be it, however I wanna know if anybody else has been through this and found a solution, anything? Anything else we should test for? Anything at all???

[Wolfie]

I would test for diabetes. But your vet will probably do that w/o you asking.

Good luck!

[Glitterpixie]

Defiately get your vet to give her a very good check (no doubt he will anyway). In a dog of this age there are number of conditions that can cause weight loss from bad teeth to more serious complaints. Good luck at the vets xxx

[Just_Kris]

Thyroid disorder is possible. Sadly, so is cancer. One of my beloved yorkies developed malignant melanoma.

[MZCsmpsns]

I feared it could be something major... knew it has to be. She's always been complimented on how her teeth are in great condition especially for her age. I never even would have thought to check for diabetes, as far as I know she hasn't been checked for that. I'm not sure when her appointment is yet, I called my dad but got the machine... I just want to make sure everything and anything gets tested, because the subject of if blah blah putting her down has been brought up. It does not look good though, I'm trying not to worry until she goes back to the vet, can't help it though.


Here's my doodle noodle...back when she was healthy...
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j75/itchymyscratchy/Pets/Dominique/farm034.jpg

[Glitterpixie]

^^^ That is one stunning dog you have there and she is very lucky to have such a careing owner :). Try not to worry too much, you can't know anything until you get her to the vets. At this age I wouldn't be too fussy about her diet, have you tried her with some really tasty smelly food? Anything (obviously not toxic like chocolate) is better than nothing until you get a chance to see the vet. Try and get an appointment asap as most conditions are best treated as early as possible, in the meantime just relax and enjoy her.

[cheekywhiskers]

The heart condition can be the cause of the rapid weight loss. If her heart is no longer able to pump enough blood to the body, proper nutrients will not get to where they belong (especially oxygen), waste products will not get removed in the kidneys and lungs, nutrients will not be absorbed from the intestines and fluid can build up in the lungs preventing oxygen absorbtion.

Enalapril and lasix will eventually fail, she may need to go on extra meds to keep functioning comfortably. There are some others that can be added.

A full initial work up should include chest xrays, bloodwork (chemistry and complete blood cell count) and a urinalysis. An abdominal ultrasound may also be needed. With those test you will check the size of her heart and clarity of the lungs, check for potential infections and major organ disfuntion (including diabetes).

Most dysfuntions do not cause intense pain, rather they feel nauseated, lethargic, not right. The best indication for determining when the pet has decided that they are done is they stop eating and being interested in life around them (including family). Until that point, there are some medications that you can give that will make them feel better (anti-nausea, pain meds, dietary supplements).

Don't give up until she lets you know that she has given up. When she gets to that point, you will know better than anyone else.

[MZCsmpsns]

^^^ That is one stunning dog you have there and she is very lucky to have such a careing owner :). Try not to worry too much, you can't know anything until you get her to the vets. At this age I wouldn't be too fussy about her diet, have you tried her with some really tasty smelly food? Anything (obviously not toxic like chocolate) is better than nothing until you get a chance to see the vet. Try and get an appointment asap as most conditions are best treated as early as possible, in the meantime just relax and enjoy her.

We've got her on some canned food, which she eats. It's some cheap like Alpo stuff or something. She usually would eat senior diet of something high quality... my dad buys it so I forget what brand. We've just been giving her anything high in fat etc... just so she'll eat. My boyfriend and I even got her a bunch of store brand canned food today, she gobbled it up-at this point I don't care as long as she eats. She I guess won't eat dry food, just wet crap, again-better than nothing.

Yeah, I'm going to enjoy her and make sure if whatever that it's still comfortable for her. I was talking to my bf the other night and said how hard it is to be around her, and he made a good point in saying that even if I can't deal w/it basically suck it up and be around here to make sure she has the love and everything so it's good for her. We'll see what happens...

[animallover7249]

I think the reason she might eat wet food and not dry might be she thinks it's a "treat". One time my old dog had to have some work done on a back tooth, and couldnt eat dry food for a few days. Man did he love having special "treat" food!
She's a beautiful dog and I hope all goes well. :hug: Let us know what the vet says, I'll be sending good wishes her way.

[Dieselsmom]

We've got her on some canned food, which she eats. It's some cheap like Alpo stuff or something. She usually would eat senior diet of something high quality... my dad buys it so I forget what brand. We've just been giving her anything high in fat etc... just so she'll eat. My boyfriend and I even got her a bunch of store brand canned food today, she gobbled it up-at this point I don't care as long as she eats. She I guess won't eat dry food, just wet crap, again-better than nothing.

Yeah, I'm going to enjoy her and make sure if whatever that it's still comfortable for her. I was talking to my bf the other night and said how hard it is to be around her, and he made a good point in saying that even if I can't deal w/it basically suck it up and be around here to make sure she has the love and everything so it's good for her. We'll see what happens...

I think your dog is lovely, and you have been so blessed to have her in your life for these 12+ years. Last January, my little girl, Lucy, who lived with us for 17 years finally let us know it was time. The thing that kept me from being totally stricken at that time was that I kept thinking of how much better her passing was than that of countless unloved and abandoned doggies all over the world. It just made me lavish more love on my sweetie in her last days. Love your dog as much as you can, and know that you are not alone, our hearts all go out to you. And who knows, maybe you'll come up with a miracle. Think positive.

[MZCsmpsns]

Other than her heart thing I guess there's nothing else wrong... she's just downhill... we called the vet tonight and we've got an appointment tomorrow at 5:30-unless there's something they can do, she's going to get put down, which we're pretty sure that's what's going to happen... I'm a mess, even my dad was crying-he never cries... I was on the phone w/my bro and told him and we put the phone up to Dommi and he talked to her.... I can't stop crying... she can't go... I know it's best, but omg, no. She's too young, she's had the best care. I can't believe she's going to go. I guess I'll write after her appointment tomorrow....

[zippyzappy]

Any updates on the vet visit? How is she doing?