Sophie is DROPPING weight and we don't know why!!

[sophie's-mom]

For the past month or so Sophie has been dropping weight at an EXTREME rate!!! We can't seem to keep her weight on her!! She looks like she is being STARVED!!! Her hip bones protrude and she looks TERRIBLE!!!

She was dewormed at the vet 2 weeks ago and her CBC came back CLEAR!

She is fed Eukanuba dog food (don't need a lecture) and for 2 years has been FINE on that! She's always been thin......that's just her frame. But I am actually worried about this.

LET ME REPHRASE..........she only seems to be keeping weight if I feed her approximately 15 cups of food per day! The other dogs are still fine with this food, neither of them are dropping any weight. She weighed 82 at the vet 2 weeks ago but that was after 3 days of APPROXIMATELY 12-15 cups per day.

She does not have diarrhea. She has not lost her appetite.

In addition to the Eukanuba, the dogs also get eggs, chicken leg quarters and every now and then a bone from the butcher.

Has anyone else had a dog that has dropped weight like this that I could maybe give the vet a heads up on when I take her back next week?

Thanks guys!!

[Patty1231]

My sister used to work at a veterinary clinic and, when my cat did this, she said I should get her thyroid studies checked.

[sophie's-mom]

Originally Posted by Patty1231

My sister used to work at a veterinary clinic and, when my cat did this, she said I should get her thyroid studies checked.

Thank you, I will mention that.

Should I just tell him to "check her thyroid"

The vet's around here AREN'T the best. And around here, it's pretty much......."my dog needs rabies shot" and that's it.

I'll let you know what he says.

[Patty1231]

Make sure you ask about "thyroid studies" to get the lab tests. He may just palpate the thyroid otherwise and let it go. Even if he said he didn't think it was necessary, I'd still have the tests done to make sure. That way you know.

[spidey]

I agree about checking her thyroid levels (you want a full panel done - free T4 and if that comes back high, a T3 suppression test to make sure that it is a thyroid problem and not something else causing the high value), she may also have an absorption problem, a liver or kidney problem, or (I don't mean to scare you) a tumour, among other things. I'd get more bloodwork done (I can't believe your vet only did a CBC, a CBC is nowhere near enough information, you want at least a liver/kidney panel done) and a set of x-rays. Can you find another vet, even if it's a bit of a drive? This is worrying and you need to get it looked into properly.

[DNeff]

For the thyroid, they should be checking:
T3, T4, Free T3, Free T4
Jean Dodds does testing and evaluation. She is one of the best out there for thyroid testing issues. The sample can be sent directly to her for evaluation.
http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-...structions.htm

Dawn + Osa
U-CD Cammcastle's Mystic Riven CDX OAC OJC OGC OAJ NA TT CGC
http://members.aol.com/dplantier
http://members.aol.com/rottweilerworld

[sophie's-mom]

Originally Posted by spidey

I'd get more bloodwork done (I can't believe your vet only did a CBC, a CBC is nowhere near enough information, you want at least a liver/kidney panel done) and a set of x-rays.

Like I said, the vets here are substandard!!!

I would like to know if there is anyone in the area that a member might be familiar with!?!?!

It's SO difficult, because the NOT KNOWING is killing me and I don't have a clue what it is.

The vet will check the blood, stool. Then they'll check something else....then something else without having ANY idea what they're looking for because so few people bring in their pets!

This could NOT have come on at a WORSE time!

[BostonRott]

From what I remember, cats are prone to hyperthyroid (high)....i.e. excessive weight loss, whereas dogs are prone to hypothyroid (low).....i.e. weight gain, difficulty carryin a pregnancy.

My guess is that this is not thryoid. Has your dog been drinking/peeing more than usual?

You do need to get the dog to a vet, if you aren't happy with yours, ask them to recommend a specialist, and be willing to drive (hours) and pay (they're not usually cheap).

For whatever reason, the dog is not absorbing/processing foods. I think you've got some good suggestions above. What specific area of Georgia are you in, that may help.....and I'd suggest starting a new thread entitled "Need a good vet in xxxx area." in order to get more help.

I would also suggest you get to the vet ASAP. If this has been going on for a month, the dog may be just barely able to compensate at this point, and is probably teetering on the edge of decompensation and major problems. If she's not absorbing her food, she's also not getting vital nutrition. The longer that continues, the more serious and irreversible the problems become.

[sophie's-mom]

Thanks!

No, everything seems to be the same! I mean she's ALWAYS been a drinker.....can't say it's been more now than before.

This isn't an excuse, but I can't afford a specialist right now. Since the auto wreck in November, the hole that I'm in is getting deeper!!!

That's why I said this couldn't have come at a worse time!!

DANG, I HATE THIS!!

Also, I'm in Warner Robins.....just south of Macon, Georgia.

[BostonRott]

I understand tight times.......you should be able to find a vet who is willing to work with you on payments / a payment plan, especially if you are able to offer them something up front (i.e. $100).

[vonseagawn]

Hi
I am very sorry to hear about your girl. A supplement to get her on ASAP would be Sea Cure, go to www.seacure.com, and find a dealer that you can purchase it from. This product is pre-digested fish (deep sea fish, not top feeders that may have toxins) protein, and basically the body does not have to digest this capsule to absorb it, thus getting the body some kind of very good nutrient. I have seen this product do wonders for many dogs and humans as well.
Best of luck
Karyn

[sophie's-mom]

Originally Posted by vonseagawn

Hi
I am very sorry to hear about your girl. A supplement to get her on ASAP would be Sea Cure, go to www.seacure.com, and find a dealer that you can purchase it from. This product is pre-digested fish (deep sea fish, not top feeders that may have toxins) protein, and basically the body does not have to digest this capsule to absorb it, thus getting the body some kind of very good nutrient. I have seen this product do wonders for many dogs and humans as well.
Best of luck
Karyn

Thank you, I'm going to that site now.

[mmgy]

Cushings, diabetes, and there's a pancreatic deficiency as well....all of these have increased appetite and weight loss as symptoms. And I've heard good things about Seacure as well. if you were closer to Charlotte I could recommend a couple of vets.........

Could you go into the Atlanta area? I have a good friend---VERY into her dogs--that lives in Cumming. I'll ask her if you like.

[sophie's-mom]

Originally Posted by mmgy

Could you go into the Atlanta area? I have a good friend---VERY into her dogs--that lives in Cumming. I'll ask her if you like.

Of COURSE!!

Please, PM me the information!!

[mmgy]

I'll email her right now. She's one of these neurotic types, I'm sure she knows the best. :)