Dolly Concerns

[Sandishooligans]

As you know, about 2 months ago, Dolly had a bout of something, we think it was a bacterial something from a bad marrow bone.  NO MORE MARROW BONES ALLOWED.  Then last month, the girls had their teeth cleaned.  None were pulled in either of 'em.  Dolly had a slight crack in one tooth but the vet thought it was fine and didn't pull it. 

Dolly is ten now but since all that has happened, she just doesn't seem to be her ol' Dolly self.  She sleeps most of the time, being "up" about an average of 1 hour a day.  She (and I can't believe I'm saying this, being she IS Dolly The Grub) seems to be off her feed-and I just bought a whole big new bag.  Seems this might be a boredom thing, because when I mix soft food with the kibble (Innova Senior Plus), she snarfs it right up.  If it's just the kibble, she refuses to eat.  She has lost about 3 lbs in about 6 months and looks very svelte but I worry.  The vet didn't seem concerned.

Even her personality seems to be in change.  She seems actually depressed.  I mean MORE of an Eeyore than she usually is.  She flat out refuses walks and just seems to want to hide in her quilt all the time.  When I pet her, she ducks her head down and just seems so sad.  I'm getting teary-eyed writing this. 

My question is, is 10 for some doggers an entrance into old age?  Could she just be turning into a premature senior wiener?  Or should I be taking her back to the vet for another checkup?  They took blood from her 2 months ago and everything was fine.  Any opinions?  Am I just worrying for nothing?

[Barb]

It is concerning when they aren't themselves....and a mother knows !!!    I am just wondering if that tooth is bothering her?   With the fact that she isn't eating kibble, and ducking from your hand - thinking that it may hurt if touched....maybe it is the tooth?    My Rudy cracked a tooth a while back (they did end up pulling it) - but he was puny for a while and I could not figure it out. 

I would say maybe another visit to the vet is in order and be very specific about the things she is not doing and normally does. 

Sending Dolly some rays that she feels like her old self soon !

Let us know what you decide - hugs mommy !

[PattyInAK]

Gosh, Sandi, I understand your concern.  Willy and Alex are 9, not that far behind Dolly.  I figure they are in doxie middle-age, both are getting white on the fact when the "tan" used to be.  Both are still very active and get wildly excited about going outside and going for walks.  If what you are seeing in Dolly is a fairly sudden change, I think I would take her to the vet, or to a different vet for another opinion.  Seems odd that she wouldn't get excited about doing anything, especially eating.  You said that her vet did blood work and it came back fine.  That would have been my next suggestion as blood work will show if all the systems are working correctly.  I would definitely get her to see the vet, its better to have her checked out than to keep wondering what is wrong with her.  Hang in there.

[Teresa]

I was thinking like Patty. If you know of another vet you trust, another opinion might not be a bad idea. If you go back to your vet, they may want to stick with what they have already told you, especially if they can't think of anything else to check for. A new set of eyes may see something different. The thing that would get my attention is the sudden change after the first illness. Just makes it seem that something isn't quite right...

[MyLittleBoo]

EmmyLou here~  Gee, Dolly I hope dat you are feeling better WEALLY soon!!!  My momma and I are sending some rays your way, with lots of puppy kisses and belly rubs....      Lub~ EmmyLou

[TerriL]

I'm thinking along the same lines as the others.....  and it's not really much of a stretch to think that it might be that tooth.  Poor little Grub Girl!  I don't blame you a bit for being worried Sandi... it's so hard when something isin't "quite right".  Let us know how she is doing....we all love your sweet Dolly. 

[DeeanDave]

I would agree with the others that it may very well be her tooth.  Just a piece of information -- I took Sarge to the vet to get his boosters and have blood work along with an exam done and the vet and animal hospital we go to, said that when a pupper reaches 8 years old, they are considered geriatric and henceforth, all exams, etc., will be treated as a geriatric pupper. ...... Even though he doesn't look geriatric.....well, except for the gray hairs.

[David C.]

When Max got old, it was kind of a gradual slowing down, certainly nothing as dramatic as Dolly, and the onset of the drastic slowing down came on far later (probably around 14 - 15).   To me, it seems that your description of Dolly at 10 matches my descriptions of Max at 17.   I'm inclined to believe that it may be something physical that bloodwork might not pick up.  The cracked tooth seems to be the likely culprit, but I would check out her skeletal systems for possible arthritis or maybe even a soft tissue injury.   Something is definitely affecting her "joie de vivre". 

I had a number of Max's teeth pulled when he was 16.   While he was definitely down and out for a few days after the surgery, in the long term, not having those unhealthy teeth bothering him made him a happier pup, and there was a slight rebound in his energy...although at 16, he was definitely on the slow side.   If the cracked tooth is the culprit, I'd expect just as dramatic of a turn around in Dolly as her slow down has been.   If Dolly will let you do it, try palpating around the cracked tooth.  If she starts violently fighting you, odds are the tooth is the culprit.

To me, dachsies don't become truly geriatric until they get past 12 years of age.  Pretty much up to that point, they still do everything they did when they were younger...maybe a little bit slower, but the spirit is still there.  Once you get past 12, they definitely start slowing down.

[Valerie]

I would definately get a second opinion.  I would find it unusual to lose her appetite so soon.
Hopes she gets back to her old self soon.  :xfinger:

[Brekkesmom]

My goodness, Dolly!  One wonders if you would scarf up a piece of Unca Mike's shortbread!   It does seem as though her toof may be bothering her, because I cannot believe Dolly would pass up kibble!  And the fact that she eats if wet food is mixed in really makes me wonder!   I would ask again, or get a second opinion, as well.  Auntie Julia & Brekke (who had green beans, carrots, and some sirloin tip roast after Mommy fixed a bit after her regular din-din - Naw, she's not spoiled - just treated well!)

[Roberta]

Sounds like tooth, and how would the vet know if it did not hurt her. I had a cracked one the other year and it was no fun.
Get the gal seen by a new set of eyes.
Roberta

[Ruth in MT]

good stuff to Dolly   Get Well Soon ! 

[papbouv]

If something is wrong you would be the first to pick up on it I too would see a new vet I knoew something was wrong with Jake and kept asking & asking I also was told he was fine but turned out not the case.
Papbouv

[Sandishooligans]

Thanks for the rays and advice.  The Doll is due for a rabies shot this month so I just made the appointment for that and also an exam and consult for my concerns.  The vet she goes to seems to have a good reputation.  I'm going to give her another crack at it.  BTW, Dolly threw up this morning as soon as she got up.  It was not food contents, rather it was watery slimy stuff.  I agree with y'all here.  I think it's that cracked tooth acting up.  I'll let you know what the vet says on Thurs.  If she gets a clean bill of health, I'll take her for a 2nd opinion elsewhere.  My problem is WHEELS.  I don't drive, so my vet has always been close to home.  Hoping they find something on Thurs.