Hi everyone,

I'm a bit concerned about one of my male Golden Retrievers. He will be 8 years old next month. I have noticed him being sick quite often over the last couple of weeks, having said that, there hasn't been any sickness for about 5 days now. He is also losing a lot of weight. He is castrated and has always been a bit of a fatty, no amount of dieting has ever even moved a pound. It just seemed that was the way he was. He is exercised regularly so is in good condition. So i am getting a little concerned that he is now looking so scrawny. I am taking him to the vets tuesday to see if they will do any tests to help try and find out whats wrong. Cancer is common in his lines and a lot of dogs in his pedigree haven't lived to great ages. His sister was diagnosed with cancer just before xmas so obviously i am scared to death that this may be the underlying cause of his weight loss. He is well in himself and his usual cheeky greedy self. Am i being paranoid??? HAs anyone had any similar experience and what was the outcome??? Any advice appreciated!

Thanks

Mel.

I don't think you are being paranoid as weight loss will always be a worry but there is no point carrying on worrying unecessarily either so seeing the vet is the best way to find out one way or the other.

Sorry to hear about your boy. I don't think you are being paranoid at all, you know him better than anyone and if the weight loss is worrying you then it is definitely worth taking him to the vets. My only suggestion though is that I did have an OAP that used to lose weight when the weather got cold. We found that by keeping him warm and wrapped up on walks, he was able to maintain his weight better through cold spells. This wouldn't account for the vomitting though. Good luck at the vets, and I hope its good news.
Jenny

sorry to hear about you poorly pooch.

try trophy pet foods, my dogs had such severe colitis she almost died until we started her on the hypo-allergic food, she is 9 and up to 1 year ago was well, she developed colitis at aged 8, the vets were at a loss as to what to do, the food was our last option and it worked, they also do a diet range, my mum's lab has tried all sorts but the throphy diet is working and she is losing weight.

good luck