My old dog still eating well,but losing weight, whats going on?
Okay, so my old buddy, Max, my golden retriever, started looking a bit skinny lately. I mean, he's always been a good eater, chow hound, you know? But he was looking a bit...ribby. It kinda freaked me out.
First thing I did? Checked his food. Same brand, same amount. He's always been on that "senior" formula, the one with the glucosamine and stuff. He's, like, 12 in human years, so we switched him over a few years back. Everything seemed normal there.
Next, I started watching him eat. Like, really watching him. Was he struggling? Was he leaving food behind? Nope. Cleaned his bowl, every time, just like always. Tail wagging, happy as a clam. So, it wasn't like he wasn't eating.
Digging Deeper
Then I started thinking, okay, what else could it be? So I got down and dirty and started inspecting his poop. Yep, glamorous, I know. I was looking for anything weird...worms, undigested food, anything that looked off. Nada. Looked, well, normal. Gross, but normal.
I also started paying more attention to his water intake. Was he drinking more than usual? Less? It's hard to tell with a dog, they don't exactly use measuring cups. But it didn't seem like anything drastic had changed.
- Checked the food.
- Watched his Eating habits.
- Inspected his Poop.
- Monitored the water.
Finally, I decided it was time to call the vet. I mean, I'm no expert. I explained everything to the receptionist, and she got us in for an appointment the next day. I was pretty worried, to be honest.
At the vet, they did a full checkup. Bloodwork, urine test, the whole nine yards. The vet felt around his belly, checked his teeth, everything. Turns out, Max has a bit of a thyroid issue. Nothing major, thankfully, but enough to cause some weight loss.
So, we got him started on some medication, and the vet said he should start putting weight back on. She also recommended a slightly different food, one that's even more geared towards senior dogs with thyroid problems.
It's been a few weeks now, and I can already see a difference. He's got a bit more pep in his step, and he's not looking quite so bony. It's a relief, I tell ya. Moral of the story? If your old dog is losing weight, even if they're still eating, don't just shrug it off. Get 'em checked out!
