[SOLVED ] Q. Sudden lethargy in 13 yr old GSP. Lack of appetite, and sudden none or little urination

Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :

A. I would see your vet asap as if not urinating there is definitely a problem there. Maybe very dehydrated at least. So will definitely need at least fluids.

How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :

Infections, illnesses, and pain can make your dog tired, listless and uninterested in food. When these symptoms continue for more than 24 hours, they could indicate the presence of a health issue that requires a visit to our veterinary hospital in Diamond Bar.

Lethargy in Older Pets

The list of possible causes of lethargy in older animals includes excess weight, cancer, osteoarthritis, pain (orthopedic, dental, and cancer-related pain are the most common), diabetes, heart disease, canine hypothyroidism and infections, such as tick-borne diseases in dogs and feline FIV.

If you think your dog is more lethargic than he should be given his recent activity, you should take him to the vet for a complete checkup. And if he is lethargic along with other signs, you may want to consider taking him to the emergency vet instead.

Things that can make your dog lethargic and weak can range from infection and disease to pain and medication. And because weakness and lethargy can indicate anything from a chronic condition to a life-threatening illness, you should always talk to your vetwhen you notice either symptom.

Small dogs are considered senior citizens of the canine community when they reach 11-12 years of age. Their medium-sized friends become seniors at 10 years of age. Their larger-sized colleagues are seniors at 8 years of age. And, finally, their giant-breed counterparts are seniors at 7 years old.

Medium-size dogs align more with the overall average dog lifespan of 10-13 years. But some medium-size dogs can be very long-lived; the oldest dog on record was a Rafeiro do Alentejo named Bobi, who`s 30 years old and counting! Medium-size dog lifespans and diseases of concern vary from breed to breed.

Wincing, Whining or Crying

All three of these actions indicate an injury or some kind of pain your dog is experiencing. If you start to pet your dog and they shy away from your hand or whine, you know there is something wrong.

Symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pets

Most pets who have gotten sick only had mild illness and fully recovered. Some signs of illness in pets may include fever, coughing, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, lethargy, sneezing, nose or eye discharge, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Vestibular disease is the main reason why an older dog may experience a sudden loss of balance and an inability to stand or walk normally. How can you tell if a dog has a vestibular disease? A few of the signs include dizziness, stumbling or wobbly steps, and falling over.

Chronic illness may cause dogs to stop eating but continue drinking. If your dog is avoiding food but is drinking excessive amounts of water—much more than is normal for him—this is a telltale sign that he has develop diabetes. Take him to the vet for a diagnosis and to find out more about his options.

Lethargy is a sign that something may be troubling your dog. A lethargic dog may be uninterested in playing, going for a walk, or participating in activities they usually enjoy. Normal fatigue or sore muscles can sometimes be due to high temperatures, but you should see a vet if symptoms persist for more than two days.

Many of the conditions that cause lethargy will require supportive care to help dogs feel better. Treatment may include fluid therapy and medications to ease symptoms. The vet may also prescribe medications that target a specific disorder. For example, bacterial infections typically require antibiotic treatment.

Common Signs of Dog Poisoning

The following may be signs of dog poisoning: Diarrhea or blood in the stool (either bright red blood or dark black tarry stools) Vomiting or loss of appetite. Seizures or tremors.

Generally, the symptoms of food poisoning in dogs include some combination of vomiting, diarrhea, reduced appetite, lethargy and dehydration. Some animals may show some neurological signs such as a lack of coordination, tremors and, in severe cases, even seizures and collapse.

Summary of Kidney Failure in Dogs

Acute kidney failure happens suddenly, and if caught and treated quickly, can be reversed. While there is no cure for chronic kidney failure, symptoms can be minimized with fluid therapy and diet changes.

Just like senior citizens need more sleep, an older dog sleeps a lot when compared to their younger counterparts. On the higher end of the scale, a senior dog can sleep up to 18-20 hours a day, says Dr. Rossman. She estimates that the lower end is probably around 14-15 hours per day.

The lifespan of your furry friend depends on size and breed says Nicole Savageau, a veterinarian with The Vets. Small dogs, like Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Maltese or Shih Tzus typically live between 14-16 years. Medium-sized dogs, including golden retrievers, French bulldogs and cocker spaniels, live closer to 10-12 years.

Cushing`s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) is a serious health condition in dogs that occurs when the adrenal glands overproduce cortisol (cortisone) in the animal`s body. Excess cortisol can put a dog at risk of several serious conditions and illnesses, from kidney damage to diabetes, and can be life-threatening.

Understanding what happened and how it happened are a significant part of closure to our loss. In a study of autopsies performed at Purdue University Small Animal Diagnostic Laboratory¹ over a five-year period, nearly 10 percent (112 cases) had been associated with sudden unexpected death.

What are the typical signs of pain in dogs? General behaviour: Shaking, flattened ears, low posture, aggression, grumpy temperament, panting or crying, excessive licking or scratching a specific area, reluctant to play, interact or exercise, lameness (limping), stiffness after rest, loss of appetite.

Generally, there are three primary ways that you can tell when a dog needs your help: physiological changes, behavioral changes, and signs of pain or discomfort.

Potential causes include inner/middle ear infections, intoxication, strokes, tumors, infectious or inflammatory diseases (meningitis), idiopathic vestibular disease (also called “old dog” vestibular syndrome), or other less likely causes.

Some of the signs of parvovirus include lethargy; loss of appetite; abdominal pain and bloating; fever or low body temperature (hypothermia); vomiting; and severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and damage to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Q. Sudden lethargy in 13 yr old GSP. Lack of appetite, and sudden none or little urination

ANSWER : A. I would see your vet asap as if not urinating there is definitely a problem there. Maybe very dehydrated at least. So will definitely need at least fluids.

Read Full Q/A … : What Causes Diabetes Fatigue? – Diabetes Self-Management

Q. Why is my male dog recently peeing on the furniture?

ANSWER : A. Sudden changes in behavior or habits such as suddenly having accidents can sometimes have a medical basis behind them. Common causes such as urinary tract infections may cause a dog to begin urinating in the house, going more frequently, or having cloudy or blood-tinged urine. It is always a good idea to schedule a wellness exam with your local vet to check for any health issues prior to looking for behavioral ones.

If your dog checks out healthy, other things could be causing his change in behavior. If he is not neutered and is reaching puberty (usually around 7-8 months of age, though it does vary by breed), he may be starting to have a marking behavior. This is when a male dog lifts his leg and leaves just a little bit of urine behind to mark that he was there. Neutering can sometimes help stop or decrease the behavior though it may take several months for results as it takes some time for the surge in hormones to leave the body. Stress, or anxiety if another dog or person in the house may also make the behavior appear as a dog tries to claim his place in the household, or if he is stressed out by another pet.

Be sure to also clean any accident areas with an enzymatic cleaner. These cleaners are designed to break down urine particles and remove scent, making it so your dog cannot smell where he has had an accident before. This can sometimes prevent dogs from repeatedly urinating on an area they had staked out before.

Read Full Q/A … : How to Stop a Male Dog from Urinating on Furniture – Pets

Q. Male neutered cat [1 1/2 years old] has just started trying to spray everywhere around the house. Nothing is coming out. No recent changes.

ANSWER : A. Changes in urinary habits can be caused by a number of things, especially in neutered male cats. Attempting to urinate or have accidents in places other than the litter box can often be a sign of a urinary tract infection, or crystals and debris in the bladder causing problems. Pets may need to go more frequently, may dribble or urinate in small amounts more often, may have accidents or may have blood-tinged or cloudy urine.Infections are usually treated with medications and changes to the diet, however in some cases of large stones or crystals surgery may be needed.

Male cats can also experience urinary blockage. This is due to a unique anatomical part or the urethra that forms a U-shape before exiting the body in male cats. If a cat has crystals or other debris in the urine, it can block at this point preventing urine from being able to exit. Cats may attempt to urinate without producing anything, may become very vocal (indicating pain) or may have a hunched back, full abdomen or pain in the abdomen (protecting the very full bladder). Urinary blockage IS a medical emergency so if suspected, your vet or local emergency clinic should be contacted immediately. Treatment usually involves a hospital stay and catheterization of the bladder to remove the blockage and allow urine to drain followed by medications and a change in diet to prevent further problems.

It is best to try and collect a sample of urine and make an appointment for your cat if he has had a change in urinary habits. If you do suspect a blockage, then contact your vet ASAP is best.

Read Full Q/A … : Feline Neutering – All About Male Cat Desexing.

Q. Male cat, 6 yrs old, neutered, good health. Suddenly urinating too often/sporadic. Now 4 days into this behavior, what can I do?

ANSWER : A. Sudden changes in urinary behavior such as an increase in frequency, sudden accidents in the house, or your cat attempting to urinate resulting in only a dribble, pain, or blood-tinged and cloudy urine can all indicate a possible bladder infection. Bringing in a sample of your cat’s urine (if possible) or bringing him in for a check-up is best to determine if this is the case. Your vet can then prescribe an antibiotic to help clear issues up.

Male neutered cats are more prone to lower urinary tract diseases as well as urinary blockages due to their unique anatomy. Their urethra makes a U-shaped turn prior to exiting the body and is a prime place for even small crystals or other urinary debris to become stuck and cause a partial or complete blockage. Signs of this blockage can include pain in the abdomen, constant pacing and meowing and attempting to go to the litter box multiple times without success. Blocked urinary tracts ARE a medical emergency and if suspected should be brought to a vet or ER clinic immediately.

Read Full Q/A … : I'm getting my two male cats neutered, should I be worried …

Q. My cat seems to have lost control of her bowels and no longer uses her litter box even to urinate. She is 5 or 6 yrs and is in good health otherwise

ANSWER : A. If your cat has had a sudden change in litter box habits, it is always a good idea to rule out any underlying issues with a wellness check from your vet. Bringing in a urine and stool sample if possible can also help as tests can be run on these samples to check for common infections or parasites. If these are present, treating them usually helps resolve the problem of not using the box.

Loss of bowel control usually results in dribbling of feces or urine rather than complete accidents. If you are seeing this, it is possible that an injury to the hind end or problem with the nerves or muscles is happening and should be looked at by your vet.

If the accidents are complete (full amount of stool, big puddle of urine) your cat may be choosing not to use the litter box due to illness, a too-dirty litter, litter pans that are too tall (which may make older cats have a harder time getting in and out), or a litter substrate that was changed too suddenly. Sometimes, changing the environment your cat’s litter box is in by lowering the sides, moving food and water dishes away and returning back to a previously liked litter can help.

In any area of an accident, an enzymatic cleaner should be used. These break down urine and stool particles, making it so that your cat is less likely to be attracted to going there again. Moving stools to the litter box can also entice your cat to start going there again.

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Q. Our dachshund gets up 4-6 times a night to potty, we have to get up and let him out. He is 11 yrs old and 15 lbs. Can you help?

ANSWER : A. If your dog is experiencing an increase in the frequency that he needs to urinate, I would recommend that you see your veterinarian. There are conditions that can cause an increase in urine output (amount of urine), such as kidney disease, Diabetes, or Cushing’s disease. Your pet may also have a urinary disease such as an infection or stones….these cause an increased urgency to urinate and the pet will often urinate small amounts frequently. Your vet will likely want to do a urinalysis and probably bloodwork to determine what exactly is going on and recommend a treatment.

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Q. We have a 3 yr old Weiner dog, she is having pus in her eyes, I took her to the vet he gave me derma vet ointment, used it as the doctor prescribed

ANSWER : A. If the pus really isn’t all that bad, and it’s just some discharge, your pup may benefit from a diet change. It could be that the food you’re feeding just isn’t right for your dog, and that’s okay! Dogs grow and change over time, and now that your dog is fully matured, a diet change may be in order. Try something like Taste of the Wild, maybe a grain free dog food, Orijen, or Ziwipeak. These are all really great food options.

If the pus is really bad, and continues to get worse, see your vet again and let them know what’s going on. Maybe you could try a diet change, and then see if there are any improvements.

Remember, you should always gradually change a dogs diet. By gradually, I mean you put a tiny bit of new kibble in with a bowl of the old kibble. Reduce the old kibble by just a few bits of kibble. Throughout the course of at least two weeks (or as long as you want depending on whether or not you want to finish off the old food) you slowly add more of the new kibble while removing some of the old kibble. This makes the process gradual, and won’t cause any tummy-upset in your dog.

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Q. My female dog urinates well and then she will squat in different places

ANSWER : A. If your dog is having accidents in the house, or is attempting to urinate frequently, going small amounts often, or has cloudy or blood-tinged urine, it may indicate a Urinary Tract Infection. Bringing her in along with a sample of her urine is best to check for this common issue and rule out any other causes of the constant urination. Your vet can then provide treatment such as antibiotics or a urine-friendly diet to help her feel better.

Read Full Q/A … : Dog urinating at home – Article on Pets.ca