Is Your Senior Dog Losing Weight? Find Out Why Here!
Okay, so my old buddy, Buster, my golden retriever, started losing weight a while back, and it kinda freaked me out. He's, like, ancient in dog years, you know? So, naturally, I got worried.
The First Signs
It wasn't super obvious at first. He's always been a bit of a grazer, never really wolfing down his food. But I started noticing his ribs a little more. His fur, which is usually so thick, seemed a bit thinner, too. I'm always petting him, so I could feel the difference.
The Vet Visit (Ugh)
I'm not gonna lie, getting Buster to the vet is a whole ordeal. He hates the car, and the vet's office is his personal nightmare. But, I knew I had to do it. I bundled him up in his favorite blanket (which he promptly tried to chew) and off we went.
Running the Tests
The vet, Dr. Emily, she's pretty cool. She's known Buster forever. She did a full checkup, feeling his belly, checking his teeth, the whole nine yards. Then came the fun part – blood work. Buster's not a fan of needles (who is?), but he was a trooper, just a little whimper.
- Blood tests check
- Urine tests check
- Even, get this, they took a stool sample(Buster look away awkwardly).
Waiting Game...
Waiting for the test results was the worst. I was, no kidding, I Googled everything. "Old dog losing weight," "senior dog health," "why is my dog so skinny?" Don't do that. Seriously, it just makes you more anxious.
The Results (and Some Relief)
Turns out, Buster has a bit of a thyroid issue. Dr. Emily said it's pretty common in older dogs. It basically means his metabolism is out of whack, making him lose weight even though he's eating. The good news? It's totally manageable with medication.
New Routine
So, now Buster's on these little pills that he gets with his breakfast. It's been a few weeks, and I'm already seeing a difference. He's got a bit more pep in his step, and I swear, his ribs aren't as prominent. We're also doing shorter, more frequent walks, since he gets tired easier these days.
It was a bit of a scare, but I'm so glad I took him to the vet when I did. It's just a reminder that our furry friends need extra care as they get older. Keep an eye on your pups, folks, and don't hesitate to call the vet if something seems off!
