My dogs personality has changed. whats wrong?

Question

Recently he has become less active and has been eating less and drinking more. He also has losed about 15 pounds. I took him to the vet about a month ago when he was just not eating, and the doctor put him on a special diet for a week and gave him antibotics. After he finished special diet and medication he seemed to be back to normal, but the last two weeks he hasnt been very active and seems to be mopping around, and urinating for long periods of time, and drinking more water than usual. The doctor also took blood and urine samples and everything came back normal. He is at the vet as we speak getting x-rays. I just wanted to know what I should prepare my self for?

Answer 1

You didn't say how old he is, if he goes outside a lot, etc.

A couple of months ago I had to rush my rescue Dachsund to the vet with bloody diarrhea. He could not even keep water down. They determined that he must have eaten something that a raccoon, possum, or other wildlife had pooped or peed on and picked up some weird bacteria. They dosed him up and sent him home, he is fine now.

Fifteen pounds is a lot for a dog to lose and he is obviously dehydrated. Is he allowed to roam where a neighbor might be trying to poison him? I hope not, but it is not as unusual as you might think. Check your neighborhood for coolant. Animals are attracted to it but it is highly toxic.

Good luck

Answer 2

Diabetes would be a good guess. Dogs tend to drink a lot more water and lose weight if they have diabetes. But if the blood tests came back normal then your vet probably checked for this and ruled it out.

My dog had all the same symptoms except her personality changed from mellow to extremely excited until she would collapse of exhaustion. She would then spend hours staring at the wall or a corner. She drank a ton of water, did not want to eat, and lost weight. She also came back normal blood test results. Turned out to be something called liver shunt--a rare birth defect that goes unnoticed for a while but is treatable w/ a special diet. If the diet your dog was on was a low protein or vegetarian one that week your dog was improving, then liver shunt is a possibility.

I know how horrible it is to know something is wrong w/ your dog and not to know what it is. Went to a couple vets before I got the diagnosis. If you live in California let me know and I know of a vet who could probably help you.

Answer 3

I'm not any kind of "expert" on dogs, but yours is doing the same thing mine did 2 yrs. ago. The site (1) below lists a possible problem as sudden change of diet, overfeeding and/or liver disease (this is what my dog had...fatty liver due to over-feeding). The vet who saw him was shocked at how "overweight" he was, but I didn't see it. Dogs will usually cut down on food when they are being fed too much or are ill...or just too hot (esp. northern breeds, like Huskies). But if the human feeding them (me!) mixes people food with their normal diet, they abandon their own instincts and eat too much. Bad plan...as I found out!

As for the water-drinking thing, for some bizarre reason, my dog (now age 14) ALWAYS drinks more in winter than in summer! I know animals (incl. humans) need water all the time, but it seems to go against "reason"...which is obviously faulty.

I found the next site (2), to be quite helpful and informative. They addressed the issue of urination problems (going either too much or too little).

Another issue adressed in the champdogsforum is that of depression. Dogs lick their lips, chops and other areas of the body, to alleviate stress! Has there been a change in the family or other situation that might cause your dog to be stressed/depressed? I imagine, just being sick or in pain could do that too.

Good luck! Even if the vet finds "nothing", don't quit doing your own reseach...at least you will find out what to do faster than by waiting on the vet's schedule!

Answer 4

Get him back to the vet. Get more diagnostics if necessary. Dogs don't lose weight like that for no medical reason. When eating habits, weight loss and lethargy are presented, a serious illness could be causing this or as simple as a horrible infestation of worms. Get back to the vet. This sounds way more serious than just worms.

Answer 5

I think you should prepare yourself for a larger financial obligation (more vet visits, special food and medication).

Just keep in mind that dogs can live a very long time even if they are diagnosed with a chronic illness.

Answer 6

If she is part terrier she is just acting like the breed. My Airedale is hyper active and chases the cats on a regular basis. Up until she was a year old she chewed everything including the carpet in my master bedroom and the carpet on my staircase. She calm down (very little) as she grows up. Mine is 2 1/2 and still acts like a puppy.

Answer 7

It sounds serious, but I'm sure your Vet will be able to help. Good luck and I hope all goes well.

Answer 8

the excess water drinking might be because of the weather. did you recently turn your heat on? maybe its just a lot hotter for him.

also, have him checked for cushings (sp?) disease, my dog has it. and also, check for lymes. i would also make sure he was tested for diabetes and ask about cancer to rule that out. he might just be depressed tho, which would cause the moping and loss of appitite.

Answer 9

We have a lab that developed diabetes!!have it checked out for that??also make sure no antifreeze is around for the dog to drink!they are attracted to that and it is DANGEROUS!causes liver death. hope the dog gets well!!good luck!

Answer 10

hahah maybe he got bored !