Older Rottwiler Concern

[GaleeneDixon]

Help. I have a Rott that's 14 years old. He's been in perfect health up until last week. When I came home from work, he was laying in front of the garage. I couldn't get him to get up. His stomach seemed slightly enlarged and rumbled. My husband and I rolled him on to a blanket and brought him inside for the night. The next morning, he got up and walked out, acting ok. He is doing better but there are a few things that concern me.
1) He meets me at the car everyday wagging his tail, as usual; but not excited. He use to follow me in, barking - demanding a treat. Now I can't even get him to take a treat and if he does take it, I find in the yard or his dog house.
2) He use to love to be brushed. Now, when I start brushing him, he walks off and goes into his dog house.
3) I feel like his appetite has decreased.
My husband thinks that he's just old and going down hill or that he ate something that made him feel bad, but I feel something serious may be wrong. I see it in his eye's. My husband wants to wait to take him to the vet and I say NOW! I don't want him to suffer. Any ideas of what may be wrong?

[moondog]

It almost sounds like he bloated, but not seriously enough that he couldn't recover from it. Bloat is a life threatening and very painful condition.

Any time a dog starts to behave out of character, and especially with as dignified an old gent as your dog, I absolutely feel a prompt vet visit is in order.

I'd get him in today if he was my dog.

[observer]

I would take him in today as well. You know your dog. If his behavior has changed that much, over a period of a week or so, I would get him in.

These dogs are INCREDIBLY stoic, and bear discomfort in a very quiet way. My Annie had to have been in pain for many weeks before she finally showed real discomfort-- fortunately, by that time she was already scheduled for exploratory surgery. I ended up sending her to the Bridge from the operating table.

Take him to the vet.

[StephanieandToby]

He is behaving like a dog in pain.

You are right to want to take him to the Vet. I'd do so ASAP.

Please keep us posted.

[Nina&Bill]

Definitely off to the vet! Paws crossed that everything's OK.

Nina

[Sam's Mom]

Yes please take him in....the Vet may be able to diagnose and treat the problem....if you don't take hime in you will never know. My prayers are with you and your boy.

[GaleeneDixon]

Thank you everyone. I have an appointment for Friday morning at 9:00 am. They said if he gets worse, to call and they will work him in. My husband may croak but he'll get over it. I'll let you know how things go. Thany you so much for your support.

[Sam's Mom]

I am so glad you are taking him in.....but Friday seems many days away, especially if you aren't feeling well. Hopefully you can get him in sooner....Today?.....would be best. Good Luck keep us posted.

[Sharon Marples]

Please try and get him in today. At his age, he has lived so much longer than 99% of normal rotties. Are you aware of this? He sounds as if he is in pain and you OWE it to him to take care of him properly. Waiting until Friday (I don't care what your husband says) is just NOT fair to him. He has been faithful and dedicated to you his whole life, this is NOT the time for you to let him down now.....

[VON KIRCHER]

Please take him in today if at all possible! I lost my male a few years ago becasue the Vets wanted to wait. He suffered from a gastric torsion, and after waiting just a few days it was too late.
You are blessed to have a 14 year old, and it would be a tragedy to lose him to bloat or a torsion...please bring him in today.

[MissMary]

I hope you can get him to the vet ASAP. I have had elderly dogs, not rotti, and I would like to say you need to trust your feeling. When ever in doubt have them checked, better to make a trip for nothing than to wait to long.
I hope it turns out to be nothing big, I will be praying for you and your boy.

[observer]

I agree. Friday is TOO long to wait. He doesn't know anything except how he feels NOW - that's how dogs think. He doesn't hope he feels better tomorrow, or Thursday, or Friday. He lives in the here and now, and from what you say, he is not happy. Get him in.

[TR Young]

14 years... do you know just how lucky you are to have had a Rottweiler for 14 years?? That is truly amazing! I'll step in voice with all the others before me, get him to a vet today. Like Sharon said, he has given you 14 years of unquestioning, loyal service. Your ol' fella deserves prompt care.
You certainly have been doing something right, let me add that. What an absolute blessing to have a Rottie in your life for that long!
Please do keep us posted on his situation.

[hokisteph5]

When it comes to illness or behavior change, I tend to have a wait and see attitude for about 3 days. Any longer than that and my animals go to the vet. Even if it turns out to be nothing, I still have peace of mind.

[Joanne in NJ]

you want to get that dog in right away. I think it's 24 to 48 hours after a bloat that it affects the heart and the dog may need to be on meds to get thru it. I've had 3 dogs bloat at different times. 2 of them torsioned and needed surgery. then they needed eegs to monitor the heart.