Why is my dog losing weight?

[MoonlightMojitos]

I'm so worried now 🙁 just really hoping someone can provide some reassurance really. Sorry for long post.

He is 9 and a half years old now and about 18 months ago he weighed 5.5kg. The vet said he was slightly over weight and around 5 or just under would be about right. When we went for his next check up 6 months later (so last winter) he was 5kg and the vet said well done he's lost that bit extra (I hadn't actually changed anything but didn't worry at the time seeing as it was a good thing). In August he had a check up and they picked up a heart murmur that was new so he had lots of tests and a scan and had gone down to about 4.2kg by that point. He's now on tablets twice a day for heart disease but all other tests came back perfectly healthy. End of December during his check up for booster jab he had gone down to 3.8kg so the vet said he is worried now and we need to book a blood test and do some more tests. In a last ditch attempt the last 5 weeks I have been giving him sardines twice a week on top of his usual food, took him in today and he's 3.65kg.

He's booked for a blood test next Thursday now but I just don't understand how he can be losing weight when he seems fine in himself, nothing has changed, he's eating the same amount, walking the same amount and all his blood tests for kidneys, liver everything else came back fine in August?! I'm so worried bless him, you can really feel how bony he is now.

The vet checked him over last time and couldn't find anything wrong physically, checked his teeth, abdomin etc. He said it's not the heart disease/tablets.

Please tell me it's going to be OK...?

[fourpawswhite]

Blood tests sounds a sensible step.

Other causes could be worms? Which even if regularly wormed could still have taken hold. Tape worm in particular does this.

Diabetes can be another cause, particularly if appetite good but losing weight.

Vet will get to the bottom of it. They are such a worry though. I often wish they could speak at times like this to tell you what's wrong.

[sksinfood]

Give him lots and lots of extra love. If it's going to be ok or not, you can't go wrong with that.

[Juveniledelinquent]

Increase his portion size, or change his actual food. We had to do that with out dog. She's eight now and has dried food, she was losing weight, from 20kg down to 16kg, for no obvious reasons. We changed her food and she's stable now at 18kg, which seem right for her. She has a waist and you can feel her ribs. I hope your dog is ok.

[ChairRider4]

heart issues can sometimes be at cause as heart working harder means using more calories

[MoonlightMojitos]

The vet doesn't think it's his heart that would cause it and especially now he's still losing it when he's been on the tablets 5 months:(. Thanks guys, hoping it's something easily treatable. Will find out soon I suppose.

[Lara2]

Is he moulting as well? My gorgeous girl lost weight, moulted (in winter) and started eating less when she had a cancerous tumour in her spleen. I'd put the symptoms down to old age for a little while, we went to the vet on an unrelated matter and they found the cancer. I really hope it's nothing awful.