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golden retriever: he drinks..much less energy and is a lot weaker

Customer Question

I have a 5 year old golden retreiver who lives in Kauai. We recently moved to a different area of Kauai and he drinks out of streams and sometimes the ocean. In the last month or so he has become more depressed, has much less energy and is a lot weaker. He no longer can hop into my hatch back and doesn't get up to greet my at the door. He is eating well and does not vomit. I initially thought he might have hip dysplasia or spondylosi because his back legs are mainly effected and he has a strange hump on his spine near his hips. I am seeing my vet on Monday but am very concerned. Can you help me with a possible diagnosis and/or treatment? Thank you

Optional Information:
Pet's Sex: Male
Pet's Age: 5

Already Tried:
nothing- will see my vet Monday

Submitted: 1234 days ago.

Category: Dog

Value: $15

Status: CLOSED

Expert: Terri Riba replied 1233 days and 19 hours ago.

Hello,

I am sorry your boy is ill.

He can get a bacterial infection from drinking out of streams:

http://www.labbies.com/lepto.htm

Seizures in a dog his age would most likely be caused by ingesting a non food or toxic item or a metabolic issue like diabetes, hyperthyroid, liver etc.

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_seizure_disorder.html

http://www.2ndchance.info/epilepsy.htm

http://www.canine-epilepsy.com/liverdisease.htm

Not all seizures look alike:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98X7b6_Z_wQ&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGmCch5G3UM&feature=related

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_seizure_disorder.html

Dogs can have strokes too:

http://www.howtodothings.com/pets-and-animals/a3350-how-to-treat-canine-stroke.html

http://www.vetspecialists.co.uk/06_Animal_Welfare/Neurology_Facts/Stroke.html

He may just have become deydrated or hypoglycemic.

There is also a less serious condition that mimics stroke/seizure called Vestibular syndrome:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_vestibular_disease.html

Please let me know how he is doing. I will be here late.

I hope he will be fine.

Sincerest best wishes,

Terri

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