Advice on my chocolate lab

#1
Volbucky

Volbucky

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#1
8 year old chocolate lab. Mostly a family dog other than tagging along with me on a few scouting trips for hunting. Great, loving dog. Always has been very food motivated. Seems every summer she’ll back off on food intake but never a constant thing and usually picked back up with cooler weather. However this summer she’s lost a considerable amount of weight. Not eating all of food, when she does eat she’ll usually skip the next meal. But will gobble up a treat.

We’ve stopped treats, table scraps and tried a few different foods. If she doesn’t eat quickly we take it away and try again next feeding time. Any ideas or advice? I’m really hoping she isn’t sick but she’s definitely not acting herself appetite wise. She does have the same energy and attitude however.
 
#5
#5
Are her lymph nodes in her neck and back of her hind legs swollen?
 
#6
#6
bignewt said:
Are her lymph nodes in her neck and back of her hind legs swollen?
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No, we’ve checked her all over.

Wife worked at vet while going through school, so she’s somewhat knowledgeable. We just weighed her and she’s actually not lost as much as we thought. Maybe she’s just lost appetite due to the heat. She will absolutely destroy a treat.
 
#7
#7
Volbucky said:
No, we’ve checked her all over.

Wife worked at vet while going through school, so she’s somewhat knowledgeable. We just weighed her and she’s actually not lost as much as we thought. Maybe she’s just lost appetite due to the heat. She will absolutely destroy a treat.
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I hope everything is alright, but definitely take her to the vet. I'd take some solace in that she still devours treats and has the same energy. If she wasn't feeling well and had no appetite, she wouldn't even eat a treat and you'd notice a definite change in attitude/energy level (I know from experience). She could just be refusing to eat her regular dog food and holding out for treats. My dog will do that from time to time. But go to the vet anyway.
 
#8
#8
Thanks for the replies.

We’ve drastically cut down on treats and people food in the last 6 weeks. So I’m hoping she’s just being a drama queen. Still getting her checked out. Thanks again
 
#9
#9
Volbucky said:
Thanks for the replies.

We’ve drastically cut down on treats and people food in the last 6 weeks. So I’m hoping she’s just being a drama queen. Still getting her checked out. Thanks again
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Hope she checks out ok. Ask about diabetes. She may be experiencing problems with glycemic control.
 
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#10
#10
I know messing with food schedules may not be ideal, but you may try more smaller meals. Like someone said it may be the heat. A full(ish) stomach in the heat isnt not pleasant t for anyone. Especially if she is drinking more water than normal.

Vet would know better just my 2 cents.
 
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#12
#12
OldandStillaVol said:
Hope she checks out ok. Ask about diabetes. She may be experiencing problems with glycemic control.
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^ This.

My folks have a Lab (a bit older) and he was not eating well earlier in the summer, with low energy, etc...turned out he had developed canine diabetes. It has affected muscles in his back legs (it's almost as if the joints lock up) so at times he has trouble getting around. At this point he has good days and bad days. If the vet hasn't run a blood sugar test, that may be something to strongly consider. Regardless, I hope they can find the issue and solve it for your pupper!
 
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#13
#13
If her health or behavior is being affected then get the dog out of the heat and into the house. As dogs get older they don't handle heat as well, much like humans.
 
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#14
#14
Long shot, but I’ll ask here. My 5 year old rotty mix has severe arthritis. They did a joint tap and found it wasn’t bacterial/viral. Tried her on prednisone but no positive response. Anyone else found another treatment that worked well?
 
#15
#15
Tri-CitiesVol said:
Long shot, but I’ll ask here. My 5 year old rotty mix has severe arthritis. They did a joint tap and found it wasn’t bacterial/viral. Tried her on prednisone but no positive response. Anyone else found another treatment that worked well?
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In all seriousness, have you tried acupuncture? My German Shepard was having the same issues had a few treatment s and has been good ever since.
 
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#17
#17
Tri-CitiesVol said:
Long shot, but I’ll ask here. My 5 year old rotty mix has severe arthritis. They did a joint tap and found it wasn’t bacterial/viral. Tried her on prednisone but no positive response. Anyone else found another treatment that worked well?
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I had a lab that had severe arthritis in his hip that developed because of how he walked after tearing his ACL and not having it diagnosed properly. Maybe your dog has had a tear and it went un-noticed for a while?
 
#18
#18
davethevol said:
I had a lab that had severe arthritis in his hip that developed because of how he walked after tearing his ACL and not having it diagnosed properly. Maybe your dog has had a tear and it went un-noticed for a while?
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We went to an ortho when she was a year old at the onset of the condition and no tear was found. The arthritis is throughout all limbs combined with really bad hip dysplasia.
 
#19
#19
Tri-CitiesVol said:
We went to an ortho when she was a year old at the onset of the condition and no tear was found. The arthritis is throughout all limbs combined with really bad hip dysplasia.
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My 4 year old beagle has some mild hip dysplasia. Hes getting around okay now but im worried for what the future holds. I will replace his hip if need be. He's the best boy. Got him on a good joint supplement and trying to lose a few lbs.
 
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#21
#21
Sorry for the delay. We think we figured it out. Her weight loss was combo of us not giving her people food anymore at all, we changed her food again and she absolutely loved it and her brother (dominate black lab) was running her off her food when he was done with his. All seems well. She’s swimming, going to the bathroom normally, eating and drinking. So glad my little girl is back in business.
 
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