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pup slowing down or sick?
We have a 4.5 year old boxer/american bulldog mix. She's a pretty active dog, but as of late, her demeanor has really been off. She seems to be a lot more lethargic than normal. For instance: she used to be up at 5am regardless if we were up, but now, I'm waking her up every morning when I start the day. She is still excited when we come home & still gets excited for her daily walk, but shortly after that, just lays around.
Also, when we feed her, she seems hesitant to eat & hasn't always been finishing her bowl (will come back to it after a few hours). Again, up until a few weeks ago, she couldn't inhale her food fast enough.
Finally, I've noticed when she's in the backyard w/ DS & I, I see her eating grass & then she vomits.
She had her yearly physical the beginning of March & when the vet was feeling her lower abdomen around her hind legs, he asked if she had any unexplained vomiting - I said no (hadn't been). Now I'm wondering if he felt something....
We have an apt. w/ the vet tomorrow afternoon, but I can't help but worry. Maybe she's just slowing down??
Re: pup slowing down or sick?
I am glad you are going to the vet, I hope everything is okay with her!
Just wondering if you have switched her food in the last few weeks?
I agree with PPs that you made the right call in making a vet appt. Something's not right.
Even dogs who are "slowing down" as they age don't typically change their food habits, especially leaving food (FYI: always take away unfinished food; don't leave it around for her to finish whenever she feels like, because it takes the authority away from you).
I hope it's not a big deal. I'd probably have asked my vet right then and there WHY he wanted to know about any vomiting when palpating my dog's abdomen.
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
Thanks ladies. I hope everything is OK too, she's my first baby & my #1 girl. She was more "normal" last night (had more energy, but didn't finish her food) & was begging for a biscuit.
I know I should have asked about her stomach, but it was just one of those things. I was trying to contain my 12 month old, talk to the dr., & answer his questions. Then once I got home, and called DH about her visit I thought "crap, I should have asked about that".
I think what makes me even more nervous, is even DH has noticed, and he doesn't notice. I asked about bringing her in a few weeks ago & he kind of brushed it off due to her being out of her routine (we had house guests for 1.5 weeks). DS & I were out of town this weekend, so DH was home alone w/ her and on Sunday he told me I should call on Monday to see if we can get in.
Adventure's In Willyland
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
Update:
Lucy is assumed to have pancreatitis. They have her on a bland diet (rice & chicken) for 5 days w/ 1 week of amoxicillin. If she's not better in a week they will run some tests. Fingers crossed!
Thanks for your input!
Adventure's In Willyland
I'm immediately jumping to this being caused by her food. There are too many out there these days that have been known to cause this type of issue.
What's she been eating?
Once she's been treated with the bland diet and amoxicillin, I'd seriously look into switching foods. We're happy to help here with suggesting some good ones.
B/w 1/8: betas 17,345, progesterone 25.6
Thanks LuckyAngel07. Currently we're feeding her Kirkland Lamb & Rice (she's been on it since a pup). Once my husband accidentally bought the Kirkland Chicken & Rice, and she threw that up after every time, so I'm hesitant about anything w/ chicken in it (although she's doing OK w/ boiled chicken).
I'm sure part of it has to do w/ her food, it's not the worst out there, but it's not the best. Looking back, the problem started about the time our son started eating what we eat for dinner, which in turns ends up on the floor where Lucy eats it up. The vet said this problem is usually caused by a higher fat diet, which isn't what we eat or what DS eats, but I'm wondering if that has contributed to it.
Side note & question - she usually will go #2 at least 2x/day (once in AM & once in PM) and occasionally once in the afternoon on the weekends. I know dogs who eat processed food tend to go more because of the fillers. However, I realized yesterday afternoon I don't know the last time she went #2. Is this because of the rice & boiled chicken? Is she backed up? She always goes in the AM before I leave for work, but had no interest this morning.
I was pleased to hear her get up when my 1st alarm went off this AM like she used to. Yesterday it seemed like she had more stamina on our walk, but still was pretty lethargic. She used to run 3 miles w/ me and these days a 1-1.5 mile walk warrants a lot of stops to rest, yesterday we didn't rest once, but she was exhausted when we got home. All, in all, I think she's slowly getting there. Tomorrow is her last day of Amoxicillin.
Adventure's In Willyland
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