My 12-year-old dog has pale gums, lethargy, and diarrhea. What to do?

If she has pale gums then she needs to be examined by a vet immediately to determine the cause and treat, especially if she also has abnormal breathing. Please call your vet or go to an emergency clinic. She could have an infection, parasite, clotting/bleeding problem, hemolytic anemia, mass, etc. and may need immediate treatment.

Oh dear! Pale or white gums can be associated with severe anemia, shock, or heart failure - this is a very concerning sign that warrants immediate veterinary attention. A warm dry nose is a pretty non-specific sign that doesn't really mean anything in particular, and a pale or thinning haircoat can be associated with any kind of long-term illness. It sounds like Bae may be seriously ill, so I would recommend taking him to an emergency clinic tonight to be seen. If this isn't possible, then I would take him to your regular veterinarian first thing in the morning. Your veterinarian can do blood work, x-rays, or other testing if needed to help diagnose the problem and see what kind of treatment is needed.

Hello. Having pale gums is a sign that Hottie may need immediate attention. This is something that should not wait until Monday. I do hope you can have her seen soon. Good luck & thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Yes, with any immune-mediated disease you can see these symptoms. They are serious symptoms so if Jess is not already under the care of a veterinarian then you need to get her care urgently. It sounds like she may have immune mediated hemolytic anemia which is life threatening but can be easily treated if caught early. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Loss of appetite can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. This could absolutely be due to anemia given her pale mucous membranes. I recommend that you have Snow evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a good night! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

It's difficult to say what is going on based on your description, but if you are seeing very pale gums and lethargy, then this is an emergency. Clarity needs to go to the veterinarian immediately for treatment.

I'm so sorry to hear Samson is so sick! I'd recommend taking him to see a veterinarian right away so they can help you decide if he is suffering. All of the signs you've described make me concerned for blood loss, organ failure, or cancer so I think it's very important Samson see a veterinarian. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.