Sheltiesrule1 Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 My sheltiesrule has just turned 10 and about 8 weeks ago he became increasingly fussy about what he eats. Now some days he barely eats and doesn't seem to have much energy. My question is this normal for this age or could there be something wrong. I'm not sure what to ask the vet to do when I take him... should I get a blood test or an ultra sound... Not sure where to start or if there are some common problems in shelties which could cause these symptoms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 You really need to take the dog to the vet and tell them he is barely eating. The vet will examine the dog and take it from there and advise you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Definitely go to the vet. How are his teeth? This can be an issue but you need to get the vet to look. I've just rescued a dog whose owner neglected his teeth - according to the owner's vet, for years. Finally, after 3 yrs of the vet advising the teeth needed doing urgently, the dog stopped eating and the owner acted. There are of course other reasons for dogs not eating. At 10 yrs of age, it is not normal at all for a dog to stop eating. One of my own dogs is 15 yrs old, he has dementia and has to be tempted to eat, one day he'll eat a particular kind of food with enthusiasm and the next day won't touch it. I have a wide variety of foods here and eventually find something - he is hungry and wants to eat but is just odd. I hope all is well but will be interested to hear what the vet thinks. Blood tests etc may be necessary to determine the issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Hope all goes well at the Vets .. keep us posted . Your dog is not 'old' yet ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheltiesrule1 Posted November 28, 2015 Author Share Posted November 28, 2015 His teeth are not too bad, but the problem is now he has become fussy he is not wasting his raw bones or chicken neck... my first thought was he may have a sore tooth.... I will take him to the vet and see what they say :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 he does definitely need a vet visit - keep us posted .:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 A sheltie at 10yrs isn't what I would call old. Most of mine live 14-17yrs so I would be off to the vet for a vet check and full bloods to hopefully get him sorted. Good luck, hope it is something simple that is easily fixed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 Yes, a visit to the vet will sort if it's something simple that can be fixed or something that needs more attention. I'm not suggesting this is the case with your sheltie, but my 8 yr old tibbie girl periodically just won't eat her breakfast... comes on suddenly even tho' she generally loves food. When it happened a couple of times, a pattern emerged. She needs anal glands emptied about every 4 months or so, by the vet, for a very modest cost. And Annie gives the signal when it's needed .... she'll not eat her breakfast. I take her straight to the vet, the glands are emptied, we go home.... & she happily eats a meal. The vet agrees it's how Annie tells us her level of anal gland discomfort. She's never been wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casima Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 If a dog of mine who is normally a decently keen eater stops eating or becomes picky it is a definate red flag for me, straight to the vet. Hope your Sheltie is easily fixed up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum to Emma Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 My sheltiesrule has just turned 10 and about 8 weeks ago he became increasingly fussy about what he eats. Now some days he barely eats and doesn't seem to have much energy. My question is this normal for this age or could there be something wrong. I'm not sure what to ask the vet to do when I take him... should I get a blood test or an ultra sound... Not sure where to start or if there are some common problems in shelties which could cause these symptoms My brother's and mothers's mini schnauzers both died of kidney failure at 13. The first sign of trouble for both was that they stopped eating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 How did you go at the vets ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheltiesrule1 Posted November 29, 2015 Author Share Posted November 29, 2015 Hi Everyone I have an appointment with the vet this afternoon. I'm wondering if it might be worms? He didn't eat anything last night or this morning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted November 29, 2015 Share Posted November 29, 2015 I doubt it is worms ... and I DO hope you stress to the vet just how long this has been happening ..and the fact that he hasn't eaten ANYTHING at all over the past 24 hrs!! poor boy .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheltiesrule1 Posted November 29, 2015 Author Share Posted November 29, 2015 Should I take a sample of my dog's stool to the vet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_PL_ Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Should I take a sample of my dog's stool to the vet? You'll need pee :) may as well get some poo while you're at it. Fresher the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Avanti* Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Should I take a sample of my dog's stool to the vet? You might be best to phone ahead and ask the vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheltiesrule1 Posted November 30, 2015 Author Share Posted November 30, 2015 Should I take a sample of my dog's stool to the vet? You'll need pee :) may as well get some poo while you're at it. Fresher the better. How does one get pee! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_PL_ Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Should I take a sample of my dog's stool to the vet? You'll need pee :) may as well get some poo while you're at it. Fresher the better. How does one get pee! Usually I wait with a takeaway container (large dog people use frypans or saucepans). Anyway, take them outside or for a walk, you stalk them and when they get into the pee position, swoop in with your catcher. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheltiesrule1 Posted November 30, 2015 Author Share Posted November 30, 2015 Should I take a sample of my dog's stool to the vet? You'll need pee :) may as well get some poo while you're at it. Fresher the better. How does one get pee! Usually I wait with a takeaway container (large dog people use frypans or saucepans). Anyway, take them outside or for a walk, you stalk them and when they get into the pee position, swoop in with your catcher. :) Bahaha...okay :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_PL_ Posted November 30, 2015 Share Posted November 30, 2015 Bahaha...okay :) It's always a good look. If you do get some fresh poo to take as well, they can do a faecal float. Whether they find anything or not it'll still help with the health check. And there's two types of blood tests. An in-house one that is all the basics and the complex version that they send out to pathology. Vet will guide you. Wishing you all the best of luck :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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