![]() Unexplained Sudden Weight Loss in Cats and Dogsi. Stockphoto When a pet loses a dramatic amount of weight for no apparent reason, you need to go to your vet as it can be a sign of disease. There may be an underlying condition that needs treatment. Overview. In today. But when pets lose weight despite little effort on their owners. This is especially true in cases where weight loss is rapid or pronounced (more than 1. Causes. Pets can occasionally lose weight for a variety of relatively benign reasons: A change in diet can sometimes cause weight loss either because the pet finds the food less appealing or because it has fewer calories. A move to a new home, a change in schedule, or greater access to the outdoors can lead to weight loss if a pet becomes more active as a result. Geriatric pets can sometimes lose small amounts of weight as part of the normal aging process. Persistent, rapid, or dramatic weight loss (greater than 1. If changes in diet or activity level don. When did you first notice the weight loss? How has your pet been otherwise? How is her appetite? ![]() Civil Engineering Applications for the use of consulting engineers, structural designers, and architects.Do a physical examination. What a pet looks and feels like can tell your veterinarian a lot about weight loss. What do her teeth look like? Does she look otherwise healthy? Checking out the entire pet helps establish what. A CBC (complete blood count), blood chemistry panel, thyroid hormone test, heartworm test, urinalysis, and fecal examination are considered basic. For cats, FIV (feline AIDS) and Fe. ![]() ![]() LV (feline leukemia) tests may also be recommended. For dogs, tick titers (blood tests to help diagnose Lyme disease or other diseases carried by ticks) might be in order. Take X- rays (radiography). This common imaging study can show if internal organs (like the liver, kidneys, and heart) are enlarged or otherwise abnormal in size or position. Some internal tumors can also be detected by taking X- rays. Do an ultrasound. Similar to X- rays, this test uses sound waves to help get a more three- dimensional picture of internal organs and to show whether abnormal structures or abnormal organs are present. ![]() Conduct a barium study. This common X- ray study requires that a patient receive a stomach- filling volume of a dense liquid material that shows up as a bright white image on an X- ray. As the barium fills the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, much can be discerned about the structure and function of the GI tract. This test is especially useful when gastrointestinal obstructions or gastrointestinal cancers are suspected. Treatment. Definitive treatment depends on the underlying cause of the weight loss. This article has been reviewed by a Veterinarian. Causes of Sudden Weight Loss in Dogs. Sudden weight loss in dogs may signal serious medical conditions and should be reported to the vet. ![]() The standard is when the loss exceeds ten percent of normal body weight (and when it is not due. Doberman training tips from the Doberman Owners Guide. Buy, care, train, love your Doberman. 2015 Update: for a more detailed article read the pros and cons of doberman ear cropping. Doberman ear cropping is the. ![]() This weight loss in dogs may be caused by: Diabetes. Tapeworm. Liver Disease. Addison's Disease. Thyroid Problems. Mouth Lesions. Dental Problems. Pregnancy. When a dog is losing weight, he burns more calories than he consumes. If your dog loses more than 1. Diabetes. Diabetes is caused by insulin deficit or the incapacity of the body to absorb the sugar from the blood. Diabetes will cause the dog to have increased appetite, but despite this, he will still lose a lot of weight. Senior and obese dogs are more prone to developing diabetes; however diabetes may be a genetic disease. Tapeworm. A dog with parasites may lose weight. Dogs with tapeworms are particularly exposed to weight loss. The tapeworm resides in the dog’s intestine and feeds on the food consumed by the dog; consequently, the dog is deprived by essential nutrients and will get thinner. Liver Disease. The liver processes sugars and carbs needed by the body; if the dog has liver disease, the liver will not be able to provide these essential nutrients. The body will consume the fat deposits or muscle tissues. The dog will also display symptoms such as frequent urination, abdominal pain, jaundice, pale feces and orange urine. A change in diet is important in managing liver disease. If the disease is caused by toxins, these must be removed from the dog’s environment. The vet may also prescribe additional medication. Addison’s Disease. Addison’s disease is an adrenal insufficiency. The dog has a steroid hormone deficit and will be signaled by vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, low blood pressure or fever. The pet will also lose weight.
Thyroid Problems. Thyroid problems may lead to hormonal imbalance and to a speeding up of the metabolism. In this case, the dog will lose weight. Thyroid problems may be managed, but need to be detected first. Mouth Lesions If a dog has mouth lesions, eating will be painful, so he will refrain from eating. Go to the vet to detect any injuries or lesions that are present in the mouth of the throat of the dog. Dental Problems. If your pet has a dental abscess he will avoid eating. ![]() The vet will administer antibiotics and will determine if the tooth should be removed. Pregnancy. A pregnant dog may lose weight in the first stage of the pregnancy as she lacks appetite due to nausea. This is not a cause for worry, as the dog will soon gain back the weight. Sudden weight loss is often accompanied by other symptoms such as poor muscle function, dull coat, dry skin, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy or depression. Weight loss may be due to a lack of appetite which may be caused by anxiety. Other causes of weight loss may include neuromuscular diseases, poor digestion, cancer or heart disease. The treatment depends on the cause of the weight loss. In some cases, prescription diet will be recommended. ![]() ![]() Don't put me in a box: Data on veterinarians' views of corporate medicine. What does the future hold? We asked dvm360 readers. If your pet loses weight quickly, you need to see a veterinarian. Unexplained sudden weight loss in cats and dogs can signify disease or some other health issue.
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