Drastic weight loss
 

Hello. I would really appreciate any feedback on my sick yorkie.
She is 15 years old. She has gone from 7.1 lbs to 5.4 lbs in less than a year. She has a recently noticed heart murmur. She has had full panel blood test, Vitamin B12 test, urinalysis, abdominal x-ray, and abdominal ultrasound and still no diagnosis. Blood work showed low albumin. Ultrasound showed mildly thickened intestines. She just had a bile acid test this morning. She also has bouts of being very unsteady, stumbling, staggering etc. Sleeps a lot and very deeply. Her disposition is good.


She is a dear, sweet girl and I am so worried about her. Any thoughts? Thank you.

Do you know if they checked her thyroid? Has she been dewormed just in case?

How is her appetite/eating? They do have appetite stimulating meds to give if you think it's related.

Could be neuro related, partly, with the symptoms you're noting. Sadly, at her age, it could be hard to tell what's age related or not.

Like Jmue said, I'd get the thyroid checked. Also, her glucose was checked?

The really unfortunate things about these precious little souls is they just dont outlive us.....what a wonderful thing you have been blessed with 15 years with your baby girl. I would also have thyroid checked, stumbling could be neuro or could be arthritis.....I just had a 12 year old completely checked out for the same type of symptoms.....afraid she was having strokes..... even had xrays done of spine and legs because of stumbling and refusing to get up and move....she checked out 100% fine.....just arthritis in her one shoulder and a hip. Started her on Glyco-Flex and within 2 days she was dancing and prancing around again.....I also changed her to senior canned RC, to make sure she is eating enough.....had teeth done to make sure there were no teeth issues....

I was so fearful I was going to have to put this baby down with some brain tumor or strokes or something....she is fine now and has stopped loosing any weight....have to watch that now because of the arthritis...it is better some weight is lost. I am so thankful her time with me is not over....I am praying for another 4-5 years at least.....but I have been forced to realize she is aging and her race is winding down.....and it is a really bitter reality for me to face.....

I just had my Moka at the vet for similar issues. In 5 months she lost 1lb, 1 oz. my vet said she's "ideal" but she wasn't over weight at all at 9.7. She was muscular. Now she has lost all her muscle tone and I can feel all her bones. :(1.1lb is a lot for a 9 pound dog). I have not had her on any diets. Strangely she is more active and acts like she feels good, but I'm not convinced. She is going on 8 years old. My vet said she wished all dog's blood work looked as good as hers, and we also did UA. Today I found a lump on the side of her neck. She got vaccinations but this doesn't feel like a vaccination lump. It's hard and deep in the tissue (unless the tech messed up and went too deep.). She goes back for a dental in a few days so I'll have that checked if it hasn't gone down by then. Did your vet check your girl's teeth? Moka has always had great teeth. This will be her first dental. We did put her on pre cleaning antibiotics incase she's battling a tooth infection. Maybe something to consider.

Get that thyroid checked, I think it was the demise of my 15 yr old Yorkie baby girl this past December.