[lporras2]

Please help me out. My female dog is about 10 to 11 years old. She is a Chihuahua-mixed.

Suddenly, about 1 month ago, she started losing weight, and now she is very skinny. Last week, she couldn't get up, and I took her to the hospital and they did a lot of tests which cost me a lot of money.

They did not find anything; her blood is fine; her heart is fine. Most of her analysis are fine, including x-rays. She is not eating, she eats very little and if I give her extra with my hands opening her mouth, she returns later on.

I am afraid I am losing her. What can I give her to gain back the weight so she can return to her normal life. Please help me out. She is the love of our house.

Thank you,
Luis, father of 4 kids and 4 Chihuahuas. (the mother of my 3 Chihuahuas is sick)

[joypulv]

Where do you live? I wonder about parasites not found in blood tests and stool samples.

[Aurora_Bell]

10/11 is a good age for a dog. It might just be mother nature running her course. I know that is horrible to think, but if the vets can't find anything, there really isn't mush help we can provide. Do NOT, ever, force feed a sick/ailing dog. This will only cause more stress on her little body.

What are you feeding her now? Have you tried boiled hamburger and rice? Or boiled chicken and rice? What about soft food? Is she not eating at all, or is she just eating less than what she would normally eat? What are her feeding schedules like?

Sorry for the 20 questions, but the more we know, the better help we can provide. I am so sorry to hear your gal is sick! It's never easy having a sick kid or pet in the home. I hope for a speedy recovery.

[paleophlatus]

More questions that Aurora Bell didn't think of... how about potty habits.. any diarrhea, abnormal BM's in any way, Urination... normal amount or frequency, or increased amount and/or frequency, vomiting, especially after either drinking or eating anything?

Anything out of the ordinary, or change in her habits may be helpful in suggesting a new direction to look, or think about.

[shazamataz]

In situations like this there isn't much that can be done that you haven't already. She's been to the vet and had tests to no avail and losing weight is very common in older dogs.

It would be good if the vet could run some more tests, have you noticed any lumps or bumps developing on her? Tightening of the abdomen despite losing weight?