Unexplained weight loss

[MountainLaurel]

Our 1 year, 9 month, golden boy has been losing weight over the past 2 weeks, for no apparent reason. He's been getting the same amount of kibble, there's no lethargia or GI problems, and he gets about the same amount of exercise. Could it just be the heat finally getting to him in the hottest month here on the Gulf Coast (he spends most of his day in the air conditioned house)? My concern is that he's picked up some parasite or bug he wasn't exposed to in Maine, although there's been no diarrhea or vomiting (outside of his usual "eat grass, cough it up" routine). Or am I just being a worried dog mom for no reason?

[MiniMe]

1. Unexplained weight loss is always something that should be investigated

That doesn't mean its serious, just that it should be checked out.

It could be the heat, you said he is getting the same amount of kibble, is he eating the same amount? He could still be considered a puppy until at least 2, has he put on any little growth spurts lately? I know I just couldn't keep weight on my golden boy at all until after he was 2. He was so skinny people probably thought I starved him, and I was feeding him twice a day 5+ cups per day. That is an ungodly amount of food, but he burned it off. He is 5 now, and is on about 3 cups of food a day. So it could just be a stage he is going through, but its worth checking a stool sample at the vets.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. I agree totally with MiniMe. A stool sample to the vet is a good start.

Keep us posted as to how he is doing.

[MountainLaurel]

4. Definitely eating the same amount

Tristan always cleans his bowl, and if he got the chance, Molly's bowl, and my dinner plate, Mr. Laurel's dinner plate, the cat dish, the paper towel roller, some bread crumbs tossed in the street for the birds . . . No growth spurts, which is too bad; he's on the smallish side for a male; I refer to him as a pygmy golden. We're upping his kibble, but we're going to get him checked out anyway (just moved, so we want to get a vet relationship established).

Thanks for the tip!

[livetohike]

3. Is he drinking more water than usual or having to urinate

more often? Have you weighed him to see how much weight he's lost, or does he just look lighter to you?

Does he have fleas? He could have a tapeworm - it wouldn't necessarly cause GI problems and you might see a portion of it on his first elimination of the day.

[MountainLaurel]

5. No on the water, fleas

We have no way of weighing him at home, but I noticed last week that the walking harness I had fitted fairly snugly about 2 months ago was suddenly loose. By eyeing him and by feel, he is thinner.

[livetohike]

6. See if you can catch him during his first stool of the day

There may or may not be a tapeworm segment visible....if he has tapeworm, it's an easy cure with one giant pill (usually from the vet, but I think you can get it on-line too).

Since he doesn't have diarrhea, giardia seems like it can be ruled out. I would give your vet a call just to be sure and to ease your mind. Maybe they will give you some ideas of what to look out for once you tell them he isn't showing any other symptoms of being sick.

[MountainLaurel]

7. We're on it

I am so very glad though that Mr. Laurel is usually the one who gets the morning poop. But we checked tonight and he's definitely getting the right amount of kibble, so we're going to check out the other possibilities (we need to get the pooches set up at a new vet anyway).

Thanks for the tips!

[spooky3]

8. maybe irrelevant but my cat lost weight when he developed stomatitis

a serious inflammation of the mouth and throat.

[AZBlue]

9. Any updates?

I would definitely get it checked out just to be safe.