Anyone know why my dog is losing weight?
Submitted by mark on July 14, 2010 - 10:56pmDear Forum,
Although I have an EB, my question is about my German Shepherd. I am not part of a Shepherd forum so this is the only place I can turn to.
My GS has lost quite a bit of weight in the past week or two. He has always been on the lean side however I noticed recently I can see all his ribs. He also seem infatuated with being around me (he usually is anyway, but now it seems particularly dramatic). He is still playful and stuff when we go outside.
He also has a sore on his back leg that he has been biting. Is this a sign of a worm or infestation? Would this cause a dramatic weight loss?
I have scheduled a vet appointment for Friday morning, however I want to be armed with information before I see the vet, because I am afraid he will just say its his food (Innova) or something and the real cause will go unnoticed.
Gosh, I wish my pets could talk me. I am very scared it is cancer or something (he is 5 years old). Any thoughtful advice or links to seek out would be appreciated.
Mark
Beautiful pair of pals! I
Beautiful pair of pals! I can't help you much at all, except maybe the sore is hurting him and that's what's causing the weight loss? Is he eating normally? Good luck and let us know what the Vet says.
Nice looking GSD
Weight loss could be due to so many factors. Are his appetite and bowel habits unchanged? His water intake? How does the stool look? How about his mouth? Any excessive licking? Any hesitation in chewing (food, toys, etc)?
The sore on the leg may not even be related to the weight loss. (hotspot? Bug bite?)
We know our dogs better than anyone. Let the vet know if there's any change in his normal routines. The vet will do a good exam and, possibly, check blood work.
Good luck!
Olivia
One more thing...
How rapid was the weight loss? Over a few months? Weeks? That coukld be important, too.
Olivia
Everything seems normal...
His eating, drinking and stools look normal. I talked to my vet this morning and she said that I am probably overreacting so we moved the appt until next friday. in the meantime, I have to feed him more and just make sure he is well taken care of. I saw that bite mark and I immediately thought it heartworm or something. She said so far not any cases she has seen this year but doesn't mean definitive.
She said I should feed him more because since he is active and it is summer the weight loss probably is more dramatic plus I have apparently been feeding him half as much as I should.
And, there you go! lol
Sounds like a plan, to me! Hope it's that easy. :-)
Isn't it incredible how we stress over our dogs?
BTW - I usually have to adjust food amounts with my guys at least twice a year.
Olivia
He is lovely!
I would increase his feed by 1/2 cup a day to see if that helps. How much do you currently feed? Remember, Sheps are generally not heavy anyways, and some summer weight loss can be expected from increased activity levels. By the way, he is a gorgeous dog! I grew up with German Shepards and my boy that passed away last year was a Shep. I love them.
Check the lymph nodes in his neck under his throat.....if they are swollen, call your vet right away and get him in.
The wound on his leg, is it red, swollen or oozing? Any of those things could mean infection and he needs to maybe be on antibiotics.
Amy and Sophia
Take a stool sample
why you go to your vet appointment so they can check for worms.
But my though would be just he warm temps. He's a handsome dog!
WLoss due to summer, less food, breed, heat - thanks again...n/m
n/m