Weight Loss and Chronic Disease in Dogs

Cachexia in dogs

When losing weight you should be for your dog? The standard is, when the loss exceeds ten percent of normal (and when it is not due to fluid loss) of body weight. There are many things that can cause weight loss, including chronic diseases. It is important to understand because all the dog's body will likely be affected by the weight loss, and ultimately depends on the cause and severity of the medical condition underlying.

Causes

• Inadequate caloric intake
• Poor food quality
• Taste (palatability) Food
• Spoiled food / prolonged storage deterioration
• Decreased appetite (anorexia)
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Chronic intestinal disorder with loss of protein
• Intestinal worms (parasites)
• Chronic infections of the intestine
• Tumors of the intestine
• Blocking the stomach / intestines (gastrointestinal obstruction)
• Surgical excision (removal) of intestinal segments
• Pancreatic disease
• Liver or gallbladder
• Organ failure (heart, liver, kidneys)
• Addison's disease
• Diabetes
• Hyperthyroidism
• Chronic blood loss (hemorrhage)
• Skin lesions that ooze and cause the loss of the protein
• Disorders of the central nervous system that interfere with eating or appetite
• Paralysis of the esophagus
• Neurological disorders that make it difficult to collect or swallowing food
• Increased physical activity
• Prolonged exposure to cold
• Pregnancy and breast feeding
• Fever or inflammation
• Cancer
• Bacterial infections
• Viral infections
• Fungal infections

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will start with a variety of diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause of weight loss. After an initial assessment of health, here are some tests that could be recommended for your pet:

• Stool studies for chronic intestinal parasites
• Complete blood count (CBC) to check for infection, inflammation, leukemia, anemia and other blood diseases
• A biochemical profile that will evaluate the kidneys, liver and pancreas function and the condition of the blood proteins, blood glucose, electrolytes and
• Urine tests for kidney function, in search of lost infections / protein kidney, and determine hydration status
• Chest and abdominal radiographs to examine the heart, lungs and abdominal organs
• Tests to assess the condition of the pancreas
• Ultrasound of the abdomen
• Bile acids test to evaluate liver function
• Hormone assays to look for endocrine disorders
• The use of an endoscope to view the intestine (endoscopy) and biopsy
• Exploratory surgery (laparotomy)