Unexplained weight loss in dog, just sign of getting old?

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   peeplesposted 11 years ago

   Unexplained weight loss in dog, just sign of getting old?
   
   11 year old dog. She has lost about 10 pounds this month. The vet doesn't find anything and tells me to wait it out. There have been no diet or activity changes and food has been increased. She is on Blue Buffalo dog food with partial raw food diet as well. Could it possibly just be old age?

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   JThomp42posted 11 years ago

   Hi peeples, this is always an issue of concern to me. That is quite a bit of weight to lose in such a short time. If I were you, I would get a second opinion. Hope she is okay!

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      peeplesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That's what we were thinking. Thanks JT

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      JThomp42posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You are very welcome peeples! Please update her condition. Wishing for the best.

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   dailytop10posted 11 years ago

   I have a feeling its because of her age. My precious dog named Spike who died almost 2 years ago at the age of 15 was very healthy 3 months before he passed away. He suddenly lost a considerable amount of weight without any reason at all. Please ask a second opinion and be ready for the worst. Keep her close and comforted. I wish you all the best and your bestfriend as well.

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   agilitymachposted 11 years ago

   I agree with the two answers so far.  Get a second opinion.  Did the vet draw blood?  Did he do a thyroid test?  Thyroid issues are so common in dogs these days.  However, unexplained weight loss can be anything from something easily controlled like tape worms to something more serious.  I wouldn't be happy with the "wait and see" approach.

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   DrMark1961posted 11 years ago

   You do not mention what kind of dog you have but even if the dog is a large breed 10 pounds is significant. There are several reasons the vet told you to just "wait and see"
   1. He already knows what is going on and didn´t want to tell you
   2. He figured you would not want to spend extra money on the diagnostics
   I would recommend you call up the clinic and tell them you are not satisfied and need to know an answer to what is going on. If they ask for a recheck and then do bloodwork it will be less expensive than another vet, if they still come back with the "wait and see" answer I would get a second opinion. There are a lot of medical conditions that can be treated early. Treatment might significantly increase your dog´s lifespan.
   Do not accept "just old age"!

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   peeplesposted 11 years ago

   She is a Lab/pit mix.  She is an indoor dog who normally weighs about 55 pounds. She weighed in at 44 lbs when we went in last wednesday. They did full blood work. The vet also knows us well and knows that we would pay for any required needs for her. This wait and see thing will drive me crazy so I will be calling the vet this morning to see if there is anything she failed to tell us. If not we will take her to a different vet. I hate to do it though because this vet has been my primary vet for 12 years.  Thanks for the answers everyone.

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      JThomp42posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Good luck peeples, hope she is okay.

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