Dog losing muscle, has hard belly, lethargic, and drinks more. Why?

These symptoms are very concerning for a possible organ enlargement in the abdomen or even heart disease (causes fluid build up in the belly). I would highly recommend taking Buttons in to your vet for some testing (bloodwork and radiographs) to determine the exact cause of her illness. Once we know what is going on internally then we will know what type of treatment she needs to hopefully get better. I hope Buttons is able to turn around. Best wishes and take care.

My biggest concern is that your vet is talking about hyperadrenocorticism also known as Cushing's disease. This is what I think of when you discuss those symptoms, liver enzyme elevations and adrenal issues. Cushings is where they produce too much cortisol in their system. You can do a test to rule this in or out. You can have your vet do a low dose dexamethasone test OR a ACTH stimulation test. If it comes up positive then you can treat with the disease with a daily medicine called trilostane to help the symptoms. But you cannot cure cushings. I hope this helps and will help guide you in a conversation with your vet if this is actually what your vet thinks is going on.

Hello, sorry to hear about Roxie. Those symptoms you are noting could be associated with cushings disease. This is a disease of the adrenal glands and/or pituitary gland that causes excessive secretion of steroid hormones. In addition to the voracious appetite, distended abdomen, and muscle mass loss, one may also note increase drinking and urinating, panting, and anxiety (such as the barking you're noting). Cushings disease can be managed medically, but she will likely need bloodwork and potentially an abdominal ultrasound for diagnostics. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to have Roxie evaluated. Hope this helps and best of luck.

I'm sorry to hear that Angel has been diagnosed with Cushing's disease. He is likely developing a pot belly that is characteristic of the disease. Cushing's is the result of too much of the hormone cortisol being produced. It results in muscle wasting and weakness. It also can cause an increase in fat around the organs in the abdomen as well as the liver to enlarge. Together these things cause the dog to have a firm distended pot belly appearance.

With the description of her belly dropping and back bone being more exposed, I would worry about any fluid retention or build up. This can be caused from liver disease, protein losing enteropathy, heart disease, or cancer. Cushing's disease make them appear pot bellied with out building up fluids accumulation though. Knowing her symptoms and what medicines she has been will help with a better answer and possibly eliminate some of these options. But ideally your next step is an x ray or ultrasound to look in there to see what is going on. It is the only way you will get better answers and see if a surgery to explore or get a biopsy is needed to better treat her and help her feel better.

This is worrisome - a distended abdomen could be a sign that there is free fluid present in the abdomen secondary to something like liver disease or even cancer. An organ could be enlarged as well. There are some diseases that can cause weakness of the muscles of the abdomen that could lead it to appear enlarged as well. If you are almost but not 100% positive that she is not pregnant of course that could be another cause as well. I would recommend having Sadie examined by your veterinarian - they may be able to tell what is going on by palpating or feeling her abdomen or they may recommend other testing like x-rays or blood work.

I am sorry to hear about your dog. It is hard to say without know if your vet did any testing and what the results were. We would worry about things such as diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, protein losing nephropathy, protein losing enteropathy. If you have any information on bloodwork, x-rays, or ultrasound testing done on your dog it may help us narrow possibilities. You can consider doing a consultation with one of our vets if you have this information.