![]() The examples given are not an exhaustive list of diseases or problems causing rapid weight loss. Increased requirement of calories (eg neoplasia).Increased loss of calories (eg vomiting or diarrhoea, renal disease).Reduced ability to utilise calories due to an underlying medical condition (eg Diabetes Mellitus results in a lack of insulin which means the body is unable to absorb glucose from the blood stream).Reduced absorption of calories from the intestine (eg Inflammatory bowel disease can damage the intestinal wall and prevent calories being absorbed into the blood stream).Reduced appetite or intake of calories for some reason (eg severe dental disease can be painful and may prevent your pet from wanting to eat or chew).There are several conditions that could cause this including: This means that the body is not receiving the necessary calories it needs to maintain a normal weight range. This could include admission into hospital for intravenous fluids and appropriate medical treatment, and further diagnostic tests such as radiography and/or ultrasonography.Īpart from weight loss due to dehydration, rapid weight loss also occurs when your dog has a negative caloric balance. Often a blood, urine or stool sample may be collected to assess your pet’s internal organs and general health.ĭepending on the condition of your pet and the results from any initial diagnostic tests, further treatment and/or tests may be recommended. From the clinical examination and history, a plan can then be formulated for the next step in the diagnostic process. Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination of your dog. It is also helpful to know what medications your dog is receiving in regards to the prevention and control of intestinal worms, fleas and heartworm. When did you first notice the weight loss?ģ. Mobility (eg difficulty in walking or getting up after resting)?Ģ.Behaviour (eg lethargic, sleepy, restless or hyperactive)?.Urination (increased frequency or any difficulty in urinating)?.Diet (eg changed brand of food, given any food scraps from the table recently, possibility of eating any foreign objects)?.Drinking habits (increased or decreased)?.Has there been any change in your dog’s:.Some things to think about prior to your visit that may assist your veterinarian in determining the cause of the weight loss include the following questions. As indicated below, the ideal condition score is a 3.Īs soon as you notice a loss in weight, especially over a short period of time it is important to get your dog checked by your veterinarian. Your veterinary team will be able to advise you on the ideal weight for your dog once the condition score is assessed. Weigh your dog at least twice a year (your veterinary clinic will be more than happy for you to use their scales, and we can then record your dog’s weight at the same time)Īll of the above aspects are jointly used to determine a ‘body condition score’ (see below diagram).Can you see a waist line or is there a straight line from the chest to the back legs? Can you see a definite waist line or does it blend in to the hips? Can you feel their ribs easily or is there a significant layer of fat over the ribs? Regularly run your hands over your dog’s ribs.The easiest way to assess your dog’s ideal weight is to follow a few simple steps: Please note: there can be significant variation between genetic lines within each breed and it can be difficult to predict the ideal weight of a cross-bred dog due to the presence of 2 or more breeds in its lineage. Click here to view the ideal bodyweight range for your dog by breed. There are some useful charts available that are a helpful guide to know the ideal weight for your pet.
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