Unexplained weigh loss

Unexplained Weight Loss in Dogs: Why Is My Dog Losing Weight?

Weight loss is one of the potentially quiet symptoms that I find quite scary. If your dog has been overweight, you are likely to welcome that the pounds are coming off. But unless it’s happening because you’re taking deliberate steps such as changes in lifestyle and diet, do take note. Further, things might overlap. Just because you’re trying to get…

by Jana Rade edited by Dr. Joanna Paul BSc BVSc

Unexplained Weight Loss in GSDs: Beaner’s Weight Loss. What Would You Do if It Was Your Dog?

Beaner was a 10-year-old German Shepherd mix. When Beaner started losing weight, her mom didn’t think much of it because she was trying to get Beaner a bit thinner–weight loss was what they were trying to accomplish. Weight loss, however, was soon followed by other symptoms. Beaner started shedding more than normal and her skin was becoming dry and flaky.…

by Jana Rade

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency in Dogs: Weight Loss, Brittle Fur, Starving All The Time … Beaner’s Story

The pancreas is an essential organ that is involved both in food digestion and metabolism. The two crucial functions it fulfills is the production of digestive enzymes and the production of insulin. Without digestive enzymes present, your dog cannot break down their food and can literally starve to death regardless of the amount of food they consume. Thank you, Angie…

by Jana Rade

Jana Rade

I am a graphic designer by day, dog health advocate, dog writer, member of the Dog Writers Association of American and an award-winning author. Jasmine, the Rottweiler of my life, was the largest female from her litter. We thought we were getting a healthy dog. Getting a puppy from a backyard breeder was our first mistake. Endless veterinary visits without a diagnosis or useful treatment later, I realized that I had to take Jasmine's health care in my own hands. I learned the hard way that simply seeing a vet is not always enough. There is more to finding a good vet than finding the closest clinic down the street. And, sadly, there is more to advocating for your dog's health than visiting a veterinarian. It should be enough but it often is not. With Jasmine, it took five years to finally get a diagnosis for her initial issue. Unfortunately, other problems had snowballed for that in the meantime. Jasmine's health challenges became a crash course in understanding dog health issues and how to go about getting a proper diagnosis and treatment. I had to learn and I had to learn fast. Helping others through my challenges and experience has become my mission and Jasmine's legacy. I now try to help people how to recognize and understand signs of illness in their dogs, how to work with their veterinarian and when to seek a second opinion. My goal is to save others the steep curve of having to learn things the hard way as I did. That is the mission behind my blog and behind my writing. That is why I wrote Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog, which has turned out being an award-winning guide to dog owners . What I'm trying to share encompasses 20 years of experience.

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