Why is my 11-year-old cockapoo bloated with bad breath & fishy pee?

Poor Diego! The diarrhea could be due to a number of causes including dietary indiscretion (eating something he should not have or isn't accustomed to), bacterial imbalance in his GI tract, a parasite, or inflammation of his colon due to stress. The chronic swallowing problem is more concerning for gastroesophageal reflux, a problem with his lower esophagus such as megaesophagus, or even potentially cancer. His bad breath could be due to persistent bacteria in the mouth, a tooth problem, or potentially related to his swallowing trouble. I recommend having Diego evaluated by a veterinarian for these issues. A fecal test would help to determine the cause of his diarrhea and how to treat it. The swallowing problem is something that will require an oral exam and possibly x-rays of his neck and chest or a more advanced swallowing study with contrast material. Or, your vet may recommend some medications if reflux is suspected. I hope this is helpful and you can find some answers!

I would recommend that Nyla be checked out by a vet as soon as possible. Decreased appetite can be caused by many things, including pain, nausea, GI infection, internal medical illness, etc. Fishy smell to the rear is usually caused by anal gland secretions. This can happen when dogs are scared, sick, or have infected or impacted anal glands. A bloated appearance to the abdomen can be caused by gas building up in the intestines, fluid built up in the belly, organ enlargement, or tumors, among a few others.

Fortunately, a foul smell does not necessarily indicate that something is wrong with your pup. It may be abnormal for us, but pending a dog's diet, the bacteria in their bowels, and how hydrated they are can make a big difference on the smell. Also, when they defecate, they can release their anal glands which has a very distinct fishy/foul smell. Otherwise, I would just continue to monitor her. If she is fine and behaving normally, I don't think this is an emergency. You can also submit a fecal sample to your vet to rule out parasites.

AS long as he is eating normally, I don't think you need to be too concerned. Has he been licking at his back end? Anal glands can smell "fishy," so that may be the issue. Yuck! :/ Its not urgent if he is otherwise normal, but get him in to your vet when you can so they can do an exam and make sure nothing is wrong. They can also check and express his anal glands if needed. Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

He may have eaten something bad or sometimes they can have stick stuck in between there teeth or on the top of their mouth. There may be an infection or an ulcer from eating something and getting a wound at some point. Kidney disease can be secondary from a infection such lepto or a toxin. However, they often feel bad. They can drink more than normal, vomit and have a poor appetite to go along with it. I would have your vet check the blood work or urine sample and examine the mouth for any wounds or infection to see if antibiotics are needed.

Hi, and thanks for your question. These signs could be compatible with an inflammation infection of the gastrointestinal system and surrounding organs (like pancreas and liver). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is immediately essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics and possibly further investigations (like abdominal imaging as ultrasound or radiographs) may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Hello. You are probably right that the bad breath is not entirely from the teeth or oral cavity. Certainly other health conditions can contribute to Mitch's halitosis including gastrointestinal disease & renal disease. I would recommend an x-ray or his upper GI, including the esophagus to rule out a condition called megaesophagus, & then, of course, a CBC, serum chemistry, urinalysis & thyroid evaluation. This way, if something is found, proper treatment can be initiated immediately. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.