4091. An emaciated dog was not eating and standing up. Why?

In Singapore, many dogs live to a ripe old age of over 10 years. However, some become very thin or emaciated. There is a belief by some owners that weight loss is a natural progression of ageing. The

dog "does eat" but cannot put on weight. 

A TYPICAL CASE STUDY.

"My dog is unable to stand up and has head tremors," said the lady owner. "I had brought him to see you some 8 years ago."

"Your dog is emaciated," I pointed to the visible ribs of this cross-bred dog. "There is no body fat. she has lost most of her teeth and has pale gums, suggesting anaemia. This means insufficient fed blood cells and haemoglobin."
"I feed her the most expensive food purchased from the Pet Shop," she informed me. "My dog does eat it."
"If he ate the food, he ought to put on more weight. I will need a blood test to check the health of his blood system, liver and kidneys."

The owner gave consent. Blood test showed very low red blood cell numbers and disorder of the liver and kidneys. Together with the signs and symptoms, the dog is in very poor health. An IV drip perked her up as she felt stronger. A therapeutic diet of Hill's K/D was prescribed. However, the dog's health deteriorated and he passed away at home 5 days later.  

TIPS AND ADVICES

Old dogs do not lose weight if they are healthy. Consult your veterinarian for early detection of disease and treatment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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IMAGES

Ataxia, head tremors

Ribs are prominent

Pale gums. Most teeth had dropped out

BLOOD TEST RESULTS ON 20 Feb 2020
TP 42087

Abnormal results:
LIVER PROFILE
ALT 878 U/L  (normal is less than 59)
AST 171 U/L  (normal is less than 81)

KIDNEY PROFILE
Urea 67.4 mmol/L  (normal is 4.3 - 6.3)
Creatinine 329 umol/L (normal is 89 - 177)

HAEMATOLOGY
Haemoglobin 8.6g/dL  (normal is 12 - 18)
Red cell count 3.6x10^12/L (normal is 5.5 - 8.5)
Haematocrit (PCV) is 0.27 (normal is 0.37 - 0.55)