Hi all, I am new here and feel a bit overwhelmed, I apologize for the long post I haven't had the support I've needed for my dog Evie in a while and am grateful for this space and any suggestions, advice, guidance anyone has to point me in a good direction as I feel worried about some symptoms my dog is displaying.
1. Evie
2. 9-10 years old
3. Female dog
4. Spayed
5. Black Lab Mix
6. ~43 pounds
7. What's their BEAM (behavior, energy, appetite, mood)
Sleeping a lot, unwilling to walk more than 5 minutes or so, slowing down quickly and legs look very stiff, low energy, depressive mood, separation anxiety, appetitie for meat (ate all the pork ribs I gave her) no appetite for fruits or veggies. She still likes to try and play ball but just lies down instead of chasing after it.
8. Diet – was on smallbatch raw food patties and just changed yesterday to raw meaty bones (pork ribs yesterday and today to see if would help with her BEAM)
9. Vaccination history / exposure to toxins, other medication – all recommended vaccinations when I got her at age of 4-5 yrs old and then another 3 yr rabies vax after that , none for the next few years until last year another 3 yr rabies vaccination. She's been on Trazodone, Gabapentin and some other medications over the years off and on.
10. Primary problem, when it began and if there was anything else happening around that time
A few problems-
Significant weight loss and muscle mass- significantly this last week. noticeably started after we moved last year, could have been due to stress as she went from living alone to living with a puppy and was playing most of the day with a puppy, she was tired a lot but still wanted to play, she also received the rabies vax right before we moved into that living situation. The weight loss has not improved even after moving into another place without another dog and she has actually lost more weight and muscle mass in this last week even when nothing else diet wise has changed.
Low Energy, Depressive mood - significant change this last week. it's gotten hotter, I've had to leave her outside in the mornings because she barks constantly if left inside alone only when I leave. I have had to be away from the house longer periods of time as I don't have a car anymore.
Reduced mobility, stiff back, and shaky legs upon standing up for long periods or having to use back legs- started after slipping on wet grass a little over a year ago, has gotten better and then worse again and a little better and worse again but never has gone away. Xrays were recommended because displayed discomfort upon being examined in the underside of her pelvis and low back. I didn’t have the money at the time to do xrays and she seemed to get better upon resting, although the symptoms would flare if she exerted herself too much.
Separation anxiety- started when I started going back to work last year for long periods away from the apartment and she was alone. increased significantly after moving twice in the last year, and she was attacked by a roommates dog in my prior living situation, now I live alone in a detached bedroom in the backyard of a new place and it seems to have gotten worse.
11. Is the condition better or worse from exercise, heat, cold, time of day, certain foods, emotional upset, being touched, excitement, etc?
I can’t tell yet… it has been hotter in the summer and I wonder if heat is exacerbating her symptoms as well, I have had to keep her outside in the backyard in mornings as she barks constantly if left inside the bedroom when I leave for work.
12. Has any diagnostic work been done?
She had xrays done when I first got her when she was 4-5 years old and was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia and arthritis, xrays were recommended again for the shaky leg symptom and displaying discomfort upon being poked around in underside right pelvic area after slipping on the wet grass.
13. Current and previous treatment.
No current treatments, past treatment laser therapy and physical therapy, rest. Medications for sedation and reducing anxiety and for when she was attacked last year.
14. Other health concerns.
I am not sure where to start, I haven't been able to attend to her needs as I have wanted to this last year due to the many life changes I have had, including going through financial crises and experiencing instability in my living situations and finances. I am trying to discern if some of these symptoms are urgent or if I have time to watch webinars and read before taking any action for her. Her physical appearance and reduced mobility just in the last week is concerning me as rest doesn't seem to help.
@Dr. Christina @Dr. Jeff @Dr. Sara can you help me please?
1. Evie
2. 9-10 years old
3. Female dog
4. Spayed
5. Black Lab Mix
6. ~43 pounds
7. What's their BEAM (behavior, energy, appetite, mood)
Sleeping a lot, unwilling to walk more than 5 minutes or so, slowing down quickly and legs look very stiff, low energy, depressive mood, separation anxiety, appetitie for meat (ate all the pork ribs I gave her) no appetite for fruits or veggies. She still likes to try and play ball but just lies down instead of chasing after it.
8. Diet – was on smallbatch raw food patties and just changed yesterday to raw meaty bones (pork ribs yesterday and today to see if would help with her BEAM)
9. Vaccination history / exposure to toxins, other medication – all recommended vaccinations when I got her at age of 4-5 yrs old and then another 3 yr rabies vax after that , none for the next few years until last year another 3 yr rabies vaccination. She's been on Trazodone, Gabapentin and some other medications over the years off and on.
10. Primary problem, when it began and if there was anything else happening around that time
A few problems-
Significant weight loss and muscle mass- significantly this last week. noticeably started after we moved last year, could have been due to stress as she went from living alone to living with a puppy and was playing most of the day with a puppy, she was tired a lot but still wanted to play, she also received the rabies vax right before we moved into that living situation. The weight loss has not improved even after moving into another place without another dog and she has actually lost more weight and muscle mass in this last week even when nothing else diet wise has changed.
Low Energy, Depressive mood - significant change this last week. it's gotten hotter, I've had to leave her outside in the mornings because she barks constantly if left inside alone only when I leave. I have had to be away from the house longer periods of time as I don't have a car anymore.
Reduced mobility, stiff back, and shaky legs upon standing up for long periods or having to use back legs- started after slipping on wet grass a little over a year ago, has gotten better and then worse again and a little better and worse again but never has gone away. Xrays were recommended because displayed discomfort upon being examined in the underside of her pelvis and low back. I didn’t have the money at the time to do xrays and she seemed to get better upon resting, although the symptoms would flare if she exerted herself too much.
Separation anxiety- started when I started going back to work last year for long periods away from the apartment and she was alone. increased significantly after moving twice in the last year, and she was attacked by a roommates dog in my prior living situation, now I live alone in a detached bedroom in the backyard of a new place and it seems to have gotten worse.
11. Is the condition better or worse from exercise, heat, cold, time of day, certain foods, emotional upset, being touched, excitement, etc?
I can’t tell yet… it has been hotter in the summer and I wonder if heat is exacerbating her symptoms as well, I have had to keep her outside in the backyard in mornings as she barks constantly if left inside the bedroom when I leave for work.
12. Has any diagnostic work been done?
She had xrays done when I first got her when she was 4-5 years old and was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia and arthritis, xrays were recommended again for the shaky leg symptom and displaying discomfort upon being poked around in underside right pelvic area after slipping on the wet grass.
13. Current and previous treatment.
No current treatments, past treatment laser therapy and physical therapy, rest. Medications for sedation and reducing anxiety and for when she was attacked last year.
14. Other health concerns.
I am not sure where to start, I haven't been able to attend to her needs as I have wanted to this last year due to the many life changes I have had, including going through financial crises and experiencing instability in my living situations and finances. I am trying to discern if some of these symptoms are urgent or if I have time to watch webinars and read before taking any action for her. Her physical appearance and reduced mobility just in the last week is concerning me as rest doesn't seem to help.
@Dr. Christina @Dr. Jeff @Dr. Sara can you help me please?
Not the best food, but way better than canned or preserved. Canned sardines are fine. Turkey is great; see if you can find turkey necks, backs, and other non-weight bearing parts. Look for lamb or pork neckbones. Try to find a pet store or other raw feeders, and see about their sources; there might be a co-op or buying club. But if all you can get is pork, chicken and turkey, add in some canned sardines (no sauce) and you're good. There are some pretty good fancy pet food things, like bagged "kibbles" that are made of meat with a bit of veg, and these are OK if variety is observed with other offerings. You might also get some fish body oil - Omega 3s, in a "people" supplement - and give a spoonful or a couple of capsules daily.
