Can you tell me about weight loss in elderly dogs?
March 19, 2022 1:00 PM Subscribe
My dog is 13-15 years old. He is a chihuahua mix we found on the street and took in and nursed back to health over 10 years ago. I've noticed lately that the bones on his face--especially the side of his head next to his eyes (his temples?)--are quite pronounced and he seems to be losing muscle mass generally. What next?
He has had a serious heart murmur (grade 3 out of 4) for several years and continues to be asymptomatic. He has been peeing more in the house over the last year or two, but that seems more linked to the introduction of a small, loud child into his environment. (He was likely abused and was very difficult to housetrain, but did get there eventually). His eyes are also getting a bit cloudy, but overall he is pretty spunky for a fellow his age. Still likes to go out for walks, has a good appetite and dances around the table at mealtime. His last checkup six months ago didn't turn up anything, except that his teeth are quite bad but we can't do any anesthesia due to his heart murmur. He eats a high-quality dry dog food for seniors.
I've read about myositis online, but that doesn't seem to fit his symptoms. Is this just normal aging? Or might it be something else? Other online searches show muscle wasting in older dogs tends to be in the legs, but for our dude, it's most pronounced in the face with a bit along the spine and ribs. I will call the vet Monday for the next available check, but wondering whether anyone has any experience in the meantime. I know his days with us are probably numbered but would like to know if this sounds normal-ish or more critical. Thanks in advance.
He has had a serious heart murmur (grade 3 out of 4) for several years and continues to be asymptomatic. He has been peeing more in the house over the last year or two, but that seems more linked to the introduction of a small, loud child into his environment. (He was likely abused and was very difficult to housetrain, but did get there eventually). His eyes are also getting a bit cloudy, but overall he is pretty spunky for a fellow his age. Still likes to go out for walks, has a good appetite and dances around the table at mealtime. His last checkup six months ago didn't turn up anything, except that his teeth are quite bad but we can't do any anesthesia due to his heart murmur. He eats a high-quality dry dog food for seniors.
I've read about myositis online, but that doesn't seem to fit his symptoms. Is this just normal aging? Or might it be something else? Other online searches show muscle wasting in older dogs tends to be in the legs, but for our dude, it's most pronounced in the face with a bit along the spine and ribs. I will call the vet Monday for the next available check, but wondering whether anyone has any experience in the meantime. I know his days with us are probably numbered but would like to know if this sounds normal-ish or more critical. Thanks in advance.
Peeing more than usual + weight loss + normal appetite can mean diabetes; apparently the American Veterinary Medical Association also notes cloudy eyes as a symptom.
posted by holyrood at 1:08 PM on March 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by holyrood at 1:08 PM on March 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
We outlive our dogs. Which is the worst thing.
Our 13 year old standard poodle started “coughing” a couple of weeks ago. Got worse last weekend. She has tumors in her lungs. Getting an ultrasound/biopsy on Tuesday. Can’t think it will be good. Hope your good boy is OK.
posted by Windopaene at 1:32 PM on March 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
Our 13 year old standard poodle started “coughing” a couple of weeks ago. Got worse last weekend. She has tumors in her lungs. Getting an ultrasound/biopsy on Tuesday. Can’t think it will be good. Hope your good boy is OK.
posted by Windopaene at 1:32 PM on March 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
A dog that age should be having an "annual checkup" twice a year, unless there are financial concerns in which case what can you do.
It's probably nothing other than old age. But if you can afford to find out, make an appointment.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 4:18 PM on March 19, 2022
It's probably nothing other than old age. But if you can afford to find out, make an appointment.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 4:18 PM on March 19, 2022
This all sounds very similar to my 16(?) year old min pin over the last few years. It’s only been an issue when combined with other problems, like not eating (he’s on steroids now because of digestion problems) or peeing a lot more (was a UTI). So my read is that this is all old age stuff, but a vet check-up can’t hurt.
posted by anotheraccount at 4:52 PM on March 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by anotheraccount at 4:52 PM on March 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Our old chihuahua/daschund mix is about the same age, and I think this might just be like, normal aging for their faces. Our guy certainly has everything you mentioned also going on for a few years, and gets consistently healthy reports at the vet.
As we age, our fat gets less dense and everything kind of hollows and sags, and I assume it would be the same for dogs!
I was just commenting on how pronounced our dog's "cheekbones" were getting the other day!
posted by euphoria066 at 5:19 PM on March 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
As we age, our fat gets less dense and everything kind of hollows and sags, and I assume it would be the same for dogs!
I was just commenting on how pronounced our dog's "cheekbones" were getting the other day!
posted by euphoria066 at 5:19 PM on March 19, 2022 [1 favorite]
Second all of the above. Consider googling "dog food satin ball" recipes, online. Chis are incredible, with the potential for incredible longevity. Additionally, consider a small, raw piece of oxtail bone, once a week, to help clean teeth.
Senior dog food may be less rich (or even protein rich) in context, if you've recently changed foods, this could be a cause. The food should be more protein rich for older dogs.
Other than these, I'd consider adding a light supplement (protein) for weight and glucosamine for eyes.
posted by firstdaffodils at 6:02 PM on March 19, 2022
Senior dog food may be less rich (or even protein rich) in context, if you've recently changed foods, this could be a cause. The food should be more protein rich for older dogs.
Other than these, I'd consider adding a light supplement (protein) for weight and glucosamine for eyes.
posted by firstdaffodils at 6:02 PM on March 19, 2022
Came in to say my rescue chihuahuas often live past 18-19 years old, especially if they are very small. 10 year old chis can be middle aged.
Have you done a blood sugar test and a senior blood panel that looks at things like kidney and liver? It's good to consider doing it as they get older.
posted by answergrape at 7:02 AM on March 20, 2022
Have you done a blood sugar test and a senior blood panel that looks at things like kidney and liver? It's good to consider doing it as they get older.
posted by answergrape at 7:02 AM on March 20, 2022
The fact that you say it's on the face as well as the spine/ribs kind of just makes this sound like old age? Has he actually lost weight? Are you able to weigh him?
As animals get older, gravity takes more of a toll. You actually see this in a big way in horses - their back sways more, their stomach mass is more shifted lower down. But I've generally seen this in older dogs too.
But IANAD/IANYD, and it seems like it may be worth taking him into the vet just to get some bloodwork and make sure everything is okay.
posted by litera scripta manet at 4:37 PM on March 20, 2022
As animals get older, gravity takes more of a toll. You actually see this in a big way in horses - their back sways more, their stomach mass is more shifted lower down. But I've generally seen this in older dogs too.
But IANAD/IANYD, and it seems like it may be worth taking him into the vet just to get some bloodwork and make sure everything is okay.
posted by litera scripta manet at 4:37 PM on March 20, 2022
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posted by robertthebruce at 1:02 PM on March 19, 2022