Very Worried About My Dog

[Sheresh]

Hey guys, I have a 6 year old Minpin (Miniature Pincher, Xena) thats actually what they refer to as a Plus Size Minpin. Basically meaning she's larger then what the breed is supposed to be, about 32-34ish lbs. Anyways, she has always been very healthy, she's on this years new heartworm treatment, and she is always usally quite active, barky and all around just very energetic, and ALWAYS ready to eat dinner. However when I woke up Thursday morning, she had been sick in the middle of the night (vomiting) and seemed to be moping around. I noticed when I was cleaning up her vomit, there was a fairly large size piece of Aluminum Foil in it, about half the size of a pea. She ate a little of her breakfast but really didn't seem to like the idea of having to chew anything, so I figured there might be something wrong with a tooth, but she won't let me look. So when dinner rolls around she sniffs at it, eats about one bite and decides she's done.

Friday pretty much the same thing, only this time she's quite inactive, seems to have no energy at all, and wont eat, but I got her to eat some peanutbutter on a spoon, think she had about 2 spoons full before she decided she didn't want any. So I walked her, and she stayed RIGHT at my side which is very abnormal for her since she's usually right at the end of the leash, now she did get a little ahead of me, seemed to be a little more energetic, and had half a small biscuit when we got back, but after that she went down stairs and plopped on the couch and didn't move for the rest of the day, aside form occasionally getting up for water, which she threw up after a few hours. She did pass stool normally, although it looked a little smooth, but a healty brown. Also had one on friday afternoon as well.

So come today, saturday, I was gone most of the day at work while my father watched her. She hasn't eaten ANYTHING at all, drank very little and has absolutely no energy at all. I'm starting to get very scared that something is very wrong with her. She is begginning to look very tired, and more then a little haggard. She also seems to be sleeping quite a bit, which is mildly unusual for her. She also seems more and more resistant to move, although when she does, it doesn't appear that she is sore, more that she moves quite slowly. The only brightside today is that she hasn't vomited yet.

So I guess as you can see I'm very very worried about her, do any of you have any idea what might be wrong? I will definitely take her to the Veterinarian on Monday, hell I may even take her to the Emergency clinic on sunday if it doesn't get any better.

[Tucker'sMom]

Please keep us informed. I would take her to the Veterinarian ASAP and they should do bloodwork.

[Sheresh]

Well my father woke me up this morning at 7:30am. Xena had gone into shock. After we got her to the Veterinarian and they got her on fluids and what not, we found out that she mostl likely has Addisons Disease which is easily fixed with hormone therapy. It seems that it is a VERY common thing in middle aged female dogs that have been spayed. We weren't and still are not sure if she will make it through the night, however she is doing much better. Her potassium levels are getting back to normal, and her body temperature is going up so all is looking well. She was also up and walking when we went to see her this afternoon which the Veterinarian was VERY suprised about, but said it was definitely a very good indicator that she will recover fully.


We are still not sure what triggered the panic attack that in turn kicked the disease into high gear, but the Veterinarian thinks it was a severe stomach ache from eating too much that started the chain reaction. I was also informed that had we not got her in when we did, she would have passed away.

So all is looking much much better.

[Tucker'sMom]

My dog stopped eating, and I held off taking him to the Veterinarian because other than that he was fine. He was also obese, so I figured that he wouldn't starve himself to death. He would sometimes do that if his food was a little too "stale" for him. I did finally take him to the Veterinarian and the only thing we could figure was that he had Cushing's Disease (undiagnosed and the opposite of Addison's Disease) and it was too late. I had to have him put down one week after the initial Veterinarian visit. I hope she makes a full recovery. My thoughts are with her and you. Good luck!