Dog rapidly losing weight
Dog rapidly losing weight
One of my husband's coworkers had to put her GSD down yesterday because she had lost 1/3 of her body weight in only 3 weeks and was rapidly failing. Her vet could not determine a cause of the problem. Although it is too late for this dog, I am very curious to know if anyone else has encountered something like this? I'm thinking possibly a malabsorbtive condition of some kind (possibly infectious) or cancer. Any ideas?
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: Dog rapidly losing weight
Karen, I'm so sorry for this sad loss, how tragic!
Do you know if this dog had regular exams, regular bloodwork, and had no previous primary health issues? Age? Sometimes, there are disease processes going on unbeknownst to the owner because they are unchecked for too long and by the time the pet is presented to the vet with a problem, treatment could be difficult.
Kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, especially if gone unchecked, and especially in an older dog, could cause a drastic weight reduction. It could also be the dog was losing weight previously and the owners may not have noticed it being rapid, then when serious illness struck, the weight reduced drastically.
Malabsorption could have been a problem, but this is usually a chronic condition with obvious symptoms the owners couldn't miss. (reflux disease, vomiting, protein-losing enteropathy etc). Cancer might have been a diagnosis, but again, there are symptoms that are often gradual and hard to miss. Most primary diseases present unmistakable symptoms which alert the owners to get exams and testing etc.
Without knowing more, the age of the dog, the owner's diligence in regular vet care and ability to notice clear symptoms, it's nearly impossible to say. That said, I would suspect a major vital organ failure that progressed (or was an acute episode) that wouldn't or couldn't respond to treatment, or combined with secondary infections, sepsis, peritonitis, etc, those dreadful things that can happen when the body has way too many multiple conditions going on.
Again, I'm so sorry, this must have been terrible for both the dog and the owners. ((((HUGS))))
Do you know if this dog had regular exams, regular bloodwork, and had no previous primary health issues? Age? Sometimes, there are disease processes going on unbeknownst to the owner because they are unchecked for too long and by the time the pet is presented to the vet with a problem, treatment could be difficult.
Kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, especially if gone unchecked, and especially in an older dog, could cause a drastic weight reduction. It could also be the dog was losing weight previously and the owners may not have noticed it being rapid, then when serious illness struck, the weight reduced drastically.
Malabsorption could have been a problem, but this is usually a chronic condition with obvious symptoms the owners couldn't miss. (reflux disease, vomiting, protein-losing enteropathy etc). Cancer might have been a diagnosis, but again, there are symptoms that are often gradual and hard to miss. Most primary diseases present unmistakable symptoms which alert the owners to get exams and testing etc.
Without knowing more, the age of the dog, the owner's diligence in regular vet care and ability to notice clear symptoms, it's nearly impossible to say. That said, I would suspect a major vital organ failure that progressed (or was an acute episode) that wouldn't or couldn't respond to treatment, or combined with secondary infections, sepsis, peritonitis, etc, those dreadful things that can happen when the body has way too many multiple conditions going on.
Again, I'm so sorry, this must have been terrible for both the dog and the owners. ((((HUGS))))
..........Traci
The dog was 10, which is an advanced age, especially in a large dog. I don't know the owner personally, but she is very involved with her animals. She is a professional trainer and absolutely adores her dogs - the are her children. I believe they have all had regular vet care and that this dog was healthy up until this happened.
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: Dog rapidly losing weight
Beyond what has already been mentioned, I can't think of anything else except maybe muscle-wasting disease (which could account for a lot of weight loss in a short period of time). If she has any siblings of this dog, it might be wise to keep an eye on them, get exams in the (unlikely) event it might be congenital.
..........Traci
Re: Dog rapidly losing weight
I have an update - dog #2 (also a GSD) is now ill. He collapsed earlier today. My DH's coworker had to leave work because of it. He also got more info. This household has lost a pet rat and 2 cats in the past few months along with the dog. The owners are beside themselves. I found out they had been feeding leftover cat food to their dogs (a big no-no, but it shouldn't be deadly, should it, unless it's contaminated?). The rat was sent for toxicological analysis and wherever it was sent, they are now sending it up to Auburn Vet School for further testing and/or confirmation of what they found (which, if they found something, it hasn't been released yet). Their vet is thinking there may be a toxin of some kind. Traci - any idea - bad food, a mold? I don't think the rat was fed the cat food, but don't know that for sure. I also do not know what brand of food they are feeding.
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: Dog rapidly losing weight
Without knowing more about the prior health status of the rat and the cats, their ages, etc, it's hard to say, but they are right to suspect a toxin, and particularly with food. (check the sticky on recent updates on those awful chicken jerky treats from China - remember that even if the treat bags say "made in USA" or wherever, there is most likely a bar code with tiny print "made in China and distrubuted by...") - Many of the "natural" or holistic pet foods are often contaminated with salmonella or aflatoxin. So if they were feeding these types or generic types or expired foods, etc, it's possible.
Feeding cat food to dogs shouldn't be a problem as long as the cat food was not fed in excess or as long as the dogs were properly fed dog food as their staple.
Do you know what type of tests were done on the first dog? I would suspect toxins, and these usually involve acute renal failure, the most common marker on labwork to indicate a toxin.
Check the environment, older homes or water leaks can cause mold spores and it can permeate a home quickly. Toxic plants or trees should be ruled out. Contaminated human food possibly fed to the pets, human meds, fertilizers, toxic products in the garage or used around the home etc. If the owner's vet isn't experienced enough or not equipped to test for toxins, get a new more experienced vet. Owner has to thoroughly investigate the home/property for any evidence of toxins, spills, and particularly anything they changed or used in the last 3-6 months.
Feeding cat food to dogs shouldn't be a problem as long as the cat food was not fed in excess or as long as the dogs were properly fed dog food as their staple.
Do you know what type of tests were done on the first dog? I would suspect toxins, and these usually involve acute renal failure, the most common marker on labwork to indicate a toxin.
Check the environment, older homes or water leaks can cause mold spores and it can permeate a home quickly. Toxic plants or trees should be ruled out. Contaminated human food possibly fed to the pets, human meds, fertilizers, toxic products in the garage or used around the home etc. If the owner's vet isn't experienced enough or not equipped to test for toxins, get a new more experienced vet. Owner has to thoroughly investigate the home/property for any evidence of toxins, spills, and particularly anything they changed or used in the last 3-6 months.
..........Traci
Re: Dog rapidly losing weight
Unfortunately, I can't answer any of those questions. I know they are planning to look throughout their house and property for anything toxic. Will let you know if I learn anything else.
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: Dog rapidly losing weight
Traci writes
My heart aches for these folks - I do hope they can find the exact cause of the calamity, to at least give them some peace of mind to ease their sorrow.
Dot B
Austin, Texas
I agree - Traci's thinking reminds me of problems some New Orleans residents had after the Katrina flood... How long have the pet owners described here resided at their present property? Has there been any renovating, painting etc. etc.Check the environment, older homes or water leaks can cause mold spores and it can permeate a home quickly... Owner has to thoroughly investigate the home/property for any evidence of toxins, spills, and particularly anything they changed or used in the last 3-6 months
My heart aches for these folks - I do hope they can find the exact cause of the calamity, to at least give them some peace of mind to ease their sorrow.
Dot B
Austin, Texas
Re: Dog rapidly losing weight
Update: GSD #2 had to be PTS. My DH's coworker is so distraught she isn't talking to anyone, which I certainly understand. They now have one remaining dog-a Doberman. I'm sure she is worried sick that something will happen to him too.
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: Dog rapidly losing weight
WOW! What a tragedy. My heart breaks.