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Question

13 years old female part shar-pei part pit bull has been keeping her tail between her legs and not eating . she is sleeping a lot

Submitted: 19 days and 15 hours ago.

Category: Dog

Value: $15

Status: CLOSED

Pet's Sex: Female

Already Tried:
keeping her confortable

Posted by Cher 19 days and 14 hours ago.

Answer

Hello, and thanks for your question.

Older dogs are more prone to develop certain medical conditions like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, liver and kidney issues.

http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/hyperthyroidism.html
http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/kidney.html
http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/diabetes-mellitus.html

If your dog is not spayed, she may have developed a serious uterine infection called pyometra; if she is spayed, we don't need to worry about this.

http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/pyometra.html

If she hasn't been urinating or defecating today, it could be because she's not eating, but she also may have a urinary or bladder infection or stones, or she could be constipated. She might have ingested a toxic or other non-food item or she might have an infection in her system.

As you can see, there are so many possibilities, but with the symptoms you describe, it would be a good idea to have your dog evaluated by a vet as soon as possible, for testing, diagnosis and then, treatment. If it is now after hours for you, bring her to the nearest ER vet center.

I hope all will be well with your furry girl.

Cher

19 days and 14 hours ago.

Reply

she is urinating and she is not constipated.

Posted by Cher 19 days and 14 hours ago.

Answer

Hello again,

Alright, very good, then you can rule out those two possibilities, but it's still very important to have her examined in person by a vet, so she can be diagnosed and then treated. Her symptoms are very non-specific, and only testing and a hands on exam by the vet will determine what's bothering her. A dog who has no appetite and is sleeping a lot, could have a systemic infection like a virus or bacterial infection which needs medication to help resolve. If she goes outside, she could have encountered a poisonous toad or other critter, and perhaps she got stung or bitten by an insect, spider or snake, depending up on your location.

Her tail between her legs is a symptom of pain or fear. Something might have frightened her, and you weren't aware of it.

Cher

19 days and 6 hours ago.

Reply

Thank you for that recommendation to get a hands on examination by a vet. This is Richard, Nicole husband. I'm not sure what Nicole has told you, so here is my latest input. ShuShu is 12 or so years old, an active, 45 pound Shar Pei/Pitbull mix. Usually an ouitgoing, friendly to people, leader-of-tje-pack type mentality has changed almost overnight to this lathargic, slowing/carfull moving, tail never wagging and always far between her legs, fearfull and jumpy when touched activity has been going on for about a week. She didn't eat the first two day, but is now eating regularly except she does not take her favorite cookies on a regular basis. She will come to us for a petting as usual, and does not seem to be sensitive to the touch in her hind quarter, bacl. stomach or elsewhere--does not seem to be in pain. When on her daily walk, she is slow, her hind quarter seems weak and she'll often stops and just stares straight ahead until coakes to move. Thanks for your help--Nicole and Richard Agnew

Accepted Answer

Hi again, Nicole and Richard, and thanks for your reply with additional information about ShuShu.

While it's possible that there is an underlying medical condition causing the behavior you describe, it's also possible that she has either had a stroke, or she may have developed a condition like dementia (senility) which occurs in older dogs, called Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD).
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/vascular_accident_in_the_brain.html

http://www.cdsindogs.com/

From your description of her staring straight ahead, not interested in her usual treats, walking slowly, seeming 'confused', these could be symptoms of CCD; however, if she is exhibiting weakness in her hind quarters, this could be due to a neurological condition related to diabetes called diabetic neuropathy. A cardiac condition called cardiomyopathy, can also adversely affect the hind legs, but usually pain and paralysis are present after a blood clot lodges in the main artery carrying blood to the hind legs.
http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/heartfailure.html
http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/diabetes-mellitus.html

Here, we can help by offering possibilities as to what may be causing ShuShu's current symptoms/behavior, but we are not able/allowed to diagnose definitely over the internet, so that is why an in person exam by her vet, is so important for Shushu. If you are in a financial bind and that is why you haven't yet taken her to the vet, the following organizations listed at the link below, may help you with vet fees and medications, if you live in the USA:
http://www.speakingforspot.com/helppayingforveterinarycare.html

Care Credit may also help you pay for the vet visit in installments, over time.
www.carecredit.com

Contact your local Humane Society, ASPCA, and Dog Rescue organizations, to see if they can refer you to a lower cost vet or one who will see her free of charge, if you have extenuating circumstances.

I hope you're able to have her seen and she's feeling back to herself, very soon!

Cher

Edited by Cher on 11/2/2009 at 7:12 PM

Accepts:
Expert:	Cher
Pos. Feedback:	99.5 %
Answered:	11/2/2009

Dog Caregiver--Extensive Experience

Extensive Experience Caring for Canines; Specializing in behavior and health concerns.

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13 years old female part shar-pei part pit bull has been keeping her tail between her legs and not eating . she is sleeping a lot

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Pet's Sex: Female

Already Tried:
keeping her confortable

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she is urinating and she is not constipated.

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13 years old female part shar-pei part pit bull has been keeping her tail between her legs and not eating . she is sleeping a lot

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Pet's Sex: Female Already Tried: keeping her confortable

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she is urinating and she is not constipated.

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Pet's Sex: Female

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keeping her confortable