Losing weight

[kitty]

I have a male yorkie that is 11 mos. old. I just got him about 3wks ago. He is losing weight. He is all bone. I feed him everyday several meals a day. I have also been giving him canned food. I just don't know what to do. I called the vet to have him seen on Monday. What should I do in the mean time?

[LunasMomma]

Poor baby Can't they see him today?

[chattiesmom]

Be sure that he is eating the food you are putting down for him. Does he have any little furkid brothers or sisters who might be snatching up his food while you aren't looking? You might try leaving some food down 24/7 -- changing it out every couple of hours if there is canned food mixed in Good luck!

[kitty]

Yes he has other fur siblings but I put him in the play pen by himself and he is eating most of what I give him. The vet can't see him today he is so booked up. (Holidays) I hope there's nothing seriously wrong with him.

[yorkiepip]

Could he possibly have worms??

[Lacy's Mom]

I am understanding that his appetite is just fine, but he is still losing weight. The vet will be able to determine the underlying health issue - it could be a pancreatic problem (do his stools look and smell like undigested food?) or maybe diabetes (does he eat and drink more than he should?) It could be something as simple as a parasite too (usually involves loose stools and a lack of appetite).

On pancreatic problem:
My dog has been losing weight for sometime without losing appetite
The veterinarian suggests it could be a pancreatic insufficiency, what is that? Can it be treated? Pancreas is a vital organ that produces hormones, like insulin and enzymes, to help digestion in the thin intestine. In a case of pancreatic insufficiency, there is an inadequate production of enzymes, leading to an incomplete discomposure of food to be absorbed by the body. As a result, food is defecated almost without digestion, with a clear color, not solid, and a disgusting odor. As the dog does not get the appropriate nutrition from his food, he starts losing weight for some time. This insufficiency can be confirmed through clinical exams. Treatment consists in giving the dog sufficient enzymes through food, normally as capsules or powder, to compensate this deficiency. It can also be helpful to add ox's gizzards (pancreas) to the diet, this increases the proteins level in relation with that of the carbon hydrates and greases. Unfortunately, though this supplement can improve the digestive process, affected dogs do not gain weight, and remain thin. It's not difficult to take care of a dog suffering of a pancreatic insufficiency.

On diabetes:
http://www.petdiabetes.org/diabetes_concepts.htm

[SnowWa]

This is a little bit off the subject, but my neighbor has a little 5-pound Yorkie that is 7 years old. He has been happy and healthy all his life -- but he certainly is a skinny little guy. She says that he eats well, has been healthy, and has been skinny all his life. She has tried to fatten him up since she got him - but to no avail. And - of course, her vet has told her to keep working on it - but not to worry because he really is perfectly healthy, happy, playful, and affectionate - and after seven years of this, it's obvious he has no health problems at all.

One the other hand - my Yorkie is the opposite - he's a much heavier little guy - not fat - but does carry a lot more weight then her dog does.

So - hopefully - your little guy is just "thin" -- and still very healthy. It is good that he has a good appetite.

Good luck Carol Jean

[Lacy's Mom]

One more thought, keep him warm and limit exercise, dogs have to burn calories to stay warm. If he is not vomiting or having diarrhea he will probably be fine until Monday. Until then I would feed him whatever I could that he would eat the most of, healthy of couse, like hamburger meat, chicken, (dark meat has more fat so more calories).

[luvdorkyyorkies]

He might be feeling displaced and he might need extra attention.
It is certainly worth a try.
Give him some special attention, on your lap just even for a night or two...........have just a few tidbits of food to give him, maybe while you watch TV and are totally relaxed. Handfeed him, and pet him. Give him just a bit of people food, especially meat. Beef, chicken even ham, whatever makes him happy.
He might feel better and like he belongs.

[kitty]

I took Ace to the vet this morning and everything came back fine. They checked his stools and also did blood work. The vet said to put him on some vitiamins for 2 wks and see if that helps. He also put him on some antibiotics just in case. Everything will be fine with this little guy. Oh, he only lost about a tenth of a pound. He weighs 3.7 lbs. now.

[Lacy's Mom]

I am glad all checked out well at the vet. Hopefully the vitamins will help and as soon as he settles in will put on a little bit of weight.

[kitty]

The vet called this morning and wants me to bring Ace back in so they can run another test. This time they want to check his liver. I guess one of the tests they did yesterday came back suspisious so they want to run another one. I'm so scared now.

[bettyeanne]

Poor little Ace! Perhaps he is just a little sad for his other home? If he is 11 months and you have had him only 3 weeks, maybe it's just due to adjustment of environments ... just a thought. We will be praying that all is well and the tests all come back good! Please update us when you find out.

[Lacy's Mom]

Hopefully, it's nothing to worry about, but sometimes not knowing what's wrong is worse. At least if you know what's wrong you can address the problem. Did the vet say he needed to be fasting? If not, probably not a bile acid test which is normal to help diagnose a liver shunt.

[kitty]

Yes, I am suppose to fast him then bring him in.