Registered: Dec 2005
Location: wakarusa, indiana
Posts: 3304

Old bear always get picky with eating when it's hot outside . But recently he almost stopped eating completely . He will barely eat a high quality canned food mixed with his dry. He has always been a stout built dog that I consider an "easy keeper" until recently he really has aged and got thin all of a sudden . I hauled him to the vet yesterday and they ran several tests . Finally took a blood sample and said his kidneys are good . Sugar is good . Sodium is very high(probably from canned food) and his prostrate checked out fine . He acts like he has no energy and still isn't eating . He's 10-10.5 around that age . Vet said he has arthritis all over . Which I've known for a while ..... My question is this . Will arthritis cause the symptoms I not eating ? Or weight loss? Worried about the old fella until 2 weeks ago he looked and acted no older than 5years old .... Also what can I buy and feed him to eat . I don't like using canne dog food I don't think it's good for a dog

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Registered: Jun 2003
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Posts: 415

There is a possibility that he has cancer; THAT would cause the exact symptoms that you have described.

In fact, 2 years ago, I had a dog do almost exactly what yours is doing.

I also put my dog on canned food, because at least she would eat it, though it took her awhile. She had been doing "just fine", until she suddenly seemed to age, and became very thin. I started feeding her several times per day, which helped. I also added supplements to her food, and a bit of my own table food.

At first, I thought it might be a bad tooth, as that will cause a dog to suddenly stop eating, & lose weight. But it wasn't a tooth; it was cancer of her stomach, and after awhile, you could just get a slight hint of odor coming from her mouth. She gradually became thinner & thinner, no matter what I fed her, and I knew she was slowly dying. But she didn't seem to be in pain, so I just waited.

She died in her sleep soon after. From the time I noticed her "aging" & getting thin till the time of her death was about 6 months.

Is he on anything for his arthritis ? If so, perhaps it is making him nauseous. Also, some of the arthritis drugs may cause kidney disease and / or liver failure - both of which cause weight loss.

As for feeding him, I would feed him whatever he will eat at this point !! You can try adding 'extras' to his food, such as sardines, or some of your food (soup, hamburger, cooked chicken & rice, cooked veggies, etc.). Maybe you should soak the kibble in hot water before feeding it. It would make it easier to chew, & would enhance the scent of the food.

I know you don't like canned dog food, but it is not all bad. It has a high moisture content, which he needs right now. And some brands of canned food are very well-made, though expensive.

You can buy some Pedialyte (unflavored) at Meijers; it's for children who are sick & need to be hydrated. A bottle runs around $5-$6 dollars.

I hope this helps you somewhat; I wish you the best for your dog...let us know what happens.

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Registered: Jun 2006
Location: Platteville, Wi
Posts: 5676

did they check him for tick born illness

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Registered: Jan 2010
Location: tell city, in
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Check him for tick disease or blasto.

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Registered: Dec 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2622

I had one here recently that did almost the exact same. The arthritis had her down and out, and she was about the same age. I gave her Rimadyl, after the bottle ran out I gave her a glucosamine supplement, I also kept her on the same feed jus mixed some of the table scraps and corn oil in her feed each night. She came back around and went from thin and feeble to plump and energetic again. She still showed her again but looked fat and heathy again.

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Registered: Jan 2011
Location: Rockmart, Ga.
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Ask your vet about Bufferin. We had a dog that was hurting and it helped.

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Registered: Dec 2005
Location: wakarusa, indiana
Posts: 3304

They ran a urine, stool and blood test on him yesterday and it showed up all clear with possible small infection . Couldn't locate it . I really think its arthritis . I've never supplemented him for it because I've heard of it causing sterility ... But he's never acted like he's hurting unless I'd hunt him.

Jeremy... Did your old female stop eating also ? He's just not acting like bear . No energy . No tail wag . Bear usually has quite the character for personality and he went from actin like a big old pup to actin like a 14 year old dog

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Registered: Dec 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2622

Yea she quit eating, would feed her and the next day it would look like she hadn't touched it. Her appetite got better once the meds kicked in to ease her pain.

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Registered: Jun 2012
Location: McRae Ar
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Daniel I really hope he gets better. I have raised a lot of dogs until old age. The arthritis will cause him to stop eating if he is hurting bad enough. Old dogs also just loose their appetite before they go. My old Betty female acted like a five year old at age 11. Then she just went downhill and died. She stopped eating was the first sign. Then she lost her mouth and got weak in the back end. This all took about 6 months. One day she just didn’t wake up. They get old fast. I would defiantly put him on the arthritis meds. Good luck my friend.

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Registered: Oct 2005
Location: SC
Posts: 3709

Get him off the canned.

Boil a chicken. Debone it completely. Put the meat back in the broth and add rice. Cook until rice is done. Add carrots, green beans and broccoli.

You can also feed beef liver. Be careful. It can cause loose stool. It will build them back quickly.

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