My dog is weak, not eating, and constipated. Should I worry?

Hi there and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! A few tablespoons of plain canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) or a tablespoon of Psyllium powder (unflavored) can help move things along. However the other symptoms you mentioned do sound concerning to me. Decreased appetite along with drinking more water frequently and constipation may signal a kidney function issue, liver issue, or may be due the development of diabetes among other causes. My recommendation would be to have Pretty girl seen by her veterinarian as soon as possible for an exam and perhaps some blood work to check her organ function as there may be an underlying health issue here. I hope this helps and thanks again for posting!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Iris. I recommend that she has x-rays of her belly if she has not had them already. You need to confirm that she is constipated and that there is not another problem. A lit of times straining to defecate can be due to diarrhea not constipation. It would also be a good idea to evaluate her hindlimb with x-rays. She may have joint disease in her hips of knees that make it difficult for her to posture when trying to defecate. If she is constipated still, you need to see if it is just feces causing the blockage or if there is a foreign object causing the obstruction. In the meantime, offer her plenty of water to help to soften the stool. I hope this information helps!

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. I recommend that you have Mocha 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 great day! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

It sounds like she is strained to defecate, likely due to loose stools. Has she been vaccinated? Has she been dewormed or had a negative fecal exam for parasites? If she was eating I wouldn’t be as concerned, but with the poor appetite I am very concerned. Parvovirus or intestinal parasites are high on my list of concerns. Please have her seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Best of luck and I hope she improves soon.

Oh no. Poor guy. Loss of appetite and decreased mobility can indicate that he is painful or has an infection of some sort. I would highly recommend taking Bentley in to your local vet for some bloodwork analysis to check his organ function as well as a thorough exam to try and pinpoint what the underlying problem is exactly so that we best know how to treat him. I am sorry your furry friend is so ill and hope that he is able to make a full and speedy recovery soon! Best wishes and take care.

Dehydration can be a cause of constipation in dogs. Give Honey canned food and add water to it. Lack of exercise can be a problem, so I'd take her for a walk. Too little fiber in the diet is another cause, and you can add a tablespoon of canned pumpkin puree (no pumpkin pie filling) to her food. Other causes include a foreign body, blocked or abscessed anal sacs, or GI tumors. Having her checked out by a vet for a health check is a good idea. Best of luck.

It sounds as Chaco is suffering from a gastrointestinal condition, possibly an infection. it could also be due to ingestion of a foreign body material. i would recommend taking her to the vet the first chance you get, she will need to be checked first, if the vet thinks it's a simple gastrointestinal infection she will need an anti vomiting injection, antibiotics and a special food for a few days in order to get better. if the vet thinks it is more serious she will need a blood test and possibly an ultrasound in order to find out what is wrong.