Can't put my finger on it, he just isn't quite right......

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My beloved Hoover boy is under the weather..... it is one of those situations where there is nothing obviously wrong, he just isn't right?

I know his heart, liver and kidney function are all fine, he has had blood tests quite recently that proved that. This weekend I've noticed a few little things which make me concerned - he really wasn't enjoying his walk much today, he wasn't that keen to eat his breakfast and tea, he was the only one who didn't get up to greet me when I came back from doing the horse. He is drinking, pooing and weeing normally.

He will be 12 years old on 5th September, and he has lost a huge amount of muscle (unsurprisingly) - he also isn't holding his weight, however much I try and feed him. I know he is a good age for a big dog, and I know he had a very hard start to life as he spent 5 1/2 years racing, but I am wondering whether this are signs of his age becoming a problem :(
 
Hopefully it is just a blip and he bounces back. It is such a worry when they start to age and you know something isn't quite right, but can't put your finger on what the issue is. Hoping he feels better tomorrow.
 
Thnaks WorkingGSD - I am desperately hoping it is a blip too, I am making myself sit on my hands and NOT message my favourite vet to ask him to diagnose over the internet :D It feels a bit like having a lame horse, and when you do a lameness work-up the vet says there is nothing wrong - but you KNOW there is....
 
Could it just be the change in the weather? It's gone so cold and miserable the last few days, and I know skinny dogs tend to be sun worshippers. Hopefully it is just a blip, I'm sure you are like me and when they are getting old you pick up on every tiny change which is often nothing.
 
I hope he has perked up.
my old horse is sometimes like your dog (he is an ex-racer, so similar situation to your dog of a hard start- retired just before 8 years old from flat racing)
about 6 weeks ago he was just not right, even bothered to get bloods done to check for cushings or liver issues. all came back clear. it actually seemed to be more due to the very hot weather, despite coming into a cool barn for the day. he likes warm, but not 30 degrees. similarly it has now suddenly gone cold, so he is stiff now- can't win!
 
could it be the change in weather and his coat changing. I've an older horse and he needs extra support whenever he is growing his winter coat.
 
Thank you all for your replies :) I think - hope! - he seems to have picked up again today, it has been a vile day weather-wise but he has been kept in the warm and dry as we were visiting my mother all day.

He is definitely changing his coat again - he moults spectacularly for a supposed short-coated dog :D - so I think the idea that it might be associated with the temperature change is a good one! I will make sure I keep him warm and dry at all times from now on, it was dry on the walk yesterday but I remember thinking it felt more autumnal even though I was still comfortably in jeans and a polo shirt.

Here I go again with elderly dogs - after losing my beautiful Islay last year I now have 3 of them all aged about 12! - but at least I know they have had a fabulous life and been spoiled rotten during their 10 years (Flick), 8 years (Amy) and 6 years (Hoover) with me :)
 
Only just caught this thread but so glad he's picked up again Lev.
Keeping everything crossed that it was just a blip and Hoover has many more days snuggled up in the warm ahead.
 
He is definitely keeping me on my toes lol - I took him to Oxfordshire to see my mum on Sunday, so yesterday he was 'down' again with digestive issues (again!!) which always worries me a lot. Poor lad now thinks ProKolin is some sort of treat, so dosed him up and kept him quiet and warm, luckily today he is back to normal. He enjoyed his walk, ate his breakfast and tea well and seems very happy and relaxed - phew :)
 
Lévrier;13830702 said:
My beloved Hoover boy is under the weather..... it is one of those situations where there is nothing obviously wrong, he just isn't right?

I know his heart, liver and kidney function are all fine, he has had blood tests quite recently that proved that. This weekend I've noticed a few little things which make me concerned - he really wasn't enjoying his walk much today, he wasn't that keen to eat his breakfast and tea, he was the only one who didn't get up to greet me when I came back from doing the horse. He is drinking, pooing and weeing normally.

He will be 12 years old on 5th September, and he has lost a huge amount of muscle (unsurprisingly) - he also isn't holding his weight, however much I try and feed him. I know he is a good age for a big dog, and I know he had a very hard start to life as he spent 5 1/2 years racing, but I am wondering whether this are signs of his age becoming a problem :(
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IME, sighthounds, once in their teens, go down quite rapidly. My last Lurcher was walking five miles every day two weeks before we had to PTS. Sorry. 😟Keep him warm, keep his appetite up with tempting foods & give him lots of love.
 
Don’t worry, you’re not on your own. I took Button to the vet a couple of weeks ago with the symptoms of “well, she’s just not quite right”.

To give my vet his due, he gave her a thorough going over and declared her as well as she could be for an elderly lady (she’s 14 now).

She’s as right as a bobbin at the moment but definitely slowing up now. I guess she’s entitled to an ‘off’ day now and again. I adore old dogs but it brings it home that they can’t last forever when they have little wobbles.
 
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