Trying not to think the worst, but...?

Question

I'm very nervous. so much so that my stomach is in knots!

my 8 yr old Catahoula, Patch has lost a lot of weight over the last month. he usually floats between 65-75lbs, being heavier in the winter than summer. he eats 2 times a day, i feed Solid Gold hund-n-flockin all stages, and he is walked every evening.

I'm nervous because he lost 10lbs in one month. and is now around 60lbs. which isn't skin and bones, but he's looking ill. he's lost muscle tone too.

Went to the vet today and my regular vet wasn't there but his office partner was (i don't much care for her) and she recommended putting him on Solid Gold's puppy food for extra calories (which would be Wolf Cub food, i think) and then waiting a month to see if he gains. if not, then she will do blood work.

i know that's a smart plan, but I'm SO scared for him. he's like one of my children, and speaking of my kids..they'd devastatedted if anything happened to him. i know i've done everything i can, bI'm im just so at a loss as to what to think or feel! and the "waiting" is gonna kill me! Catahoula's are prone to cancer. Is there anything else i could have or should be doing at this point? he's not acting ill, just loosing weight. but i know something is going oI'm.im very close to my dogs...in know when they are "off".

Answer 1

I don't understand why she's waiting to take a blood test for analysis.  It only costs between $40-80. and is a very important tool to use.  I would take her back and tell her to have her blood analyzed pronto!

Answer 2

call or go to your breeders for history of health in your dogs lines.

Answer 3

If it was me; I would be inclined to get the blood work done now rather than a month from now. That seems an awful long time to "wait and see". I would think it would be better to know now what is going on, and would give you a better chance of treatment if need be.

Hope your dog is better soon! :)

Answer 4

I think maybe in this case you should get a second opinion.  You seem to not like this vet, nor her advice, so I would take my dog to a different vet.  If that vet says the same thing, then just listen.  But this new vet may want blood work done right away.  A second opinion can never hurt

Answer 5

Personally I would not wait to get a second opinion, I don't like it when a vet advises that I should wait and see. I was given that advice when one of my Dobes had a suspicious lump, I pushed to have it removed. It was low grade cancer, because it was taken early she went on to make a full recovery.

I prefer to make decisions based on what I know from test results, it's also the only way I can have peace of mind too.

Answer 6

Bloodwork yes - later, no.  I honestly feel, especially seeing as he's lost 10lbs this month, and he's also 8 y/o, that bloodwork should be done first.

Waiting to see if he puts on weight is one thing, but possibly knowing why he's losing will give you much more peace of mind.  I think you need this, first and foremost.

Call back, ask for bloodwork - a Geri-panel, or get a second opinion.

Answer 7

Hey i got this when I search for sudden weight loss.  Please read it.  I'm not liking your vet's answer to the weight loss problem neither.

"Sudden or unexplained weight loss should be reported to your veterinarian immediately. It can be a sign of a number of issues, some relatively easy to correct, and some quite serious. Don’t risk overlooking a potentially serious problem.

Cause of Weight Loss

In very broad terms, weight loss occurs when your dog is burning more calories than he is consuming. But why this is happening can vary.

There might be some internal problem that means your dog isn’t utilizing the calories he is eating.

There may be an internal disorder that redirects calories from vital life functions.

Your dog may not be eating as much, sometimes due to teeth problems that make eating painful.

Your dog may suddenly be burning more calories. Cold weather makes a dog’s body burn calories for warmth, and dogs that are working hard use more calories too."

Answer 8

First of all I just need to make sure its not worms? You are feeding a great food.I would add brown rice and feed him 3 times a day.Sounds like you have no choice but to try it and wait,Best of luck to you.Tilks Mom

Answer 9

With an 8-year old dog, I'd get the blood test now and not wait. 10 lbs is a lot in one month.

My dog is hypothyroid (which tends to make them gain without medication).  His meds were off and he lost 12 lbs, in about 6 weeks.  We did blood work and found his medication needed to be adjusted.

A 10-lb weight loss does not happen for no reason.  Unless the dog has undergone some stress (like you just moved and he has lost his appetite), I would want to check for medical problems now and not wait another month.  See another vet and get a blood test done.  It doesn't cost that much.

Answer 10

I know how worried you must be.  I have a dog now, and have lost dogs in the past.  It's hard and, yes, they end up being a lot like your kids.  I say wait until your regular vet comes back in and get a opinion from him/her as well.

I can't really speculate what might be wrong with him, as you say it's just the weight gain.  Maybe intestinal?  It could be something real simple like worms.  Or it could be psychological.  If you've moved recently, or a neighbor (i.e. and their dog) (which would be a close friend to him) has moved away recently, he could get pretty lonely.  You just had a baby kinda recently too didn't you?  Could he be not getting the attention he normally gets with the family doting of the new baby?  I've seen my dog get depressed when a dogfriend leaves him or we don't spend enough time with him.

Answer 11

sounds like you dont have much choice but to wait it out.  Its like a kid I know (a very young one that cant tell you whats wrong)!

if it is the worst case scenario... its one of the very important lessons that pets teach kids...  how to deal with passings

good luck