My dog keeps losing weight, but all her vet tests are normal.

The best next steps would be more tests to help get to the bottom of her symptoms. Typically we start with xrays and ultrasound if bloodwork is normal. Mainly looking for any cause as lethargy and weight loss are non specific. If nothing is found on imaging then loss of nutrition via the GI tract is possible and so sometimes additonal testing is needed to assess this. If your family vet is stumped, some pets get referred to see a specialist (a veterinary internist) for additional help in diagnosis. Additionally medications can be tried to help with any nausea/stimulate the appetite but if an underlying cause can be found and treated that will always be better. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I can see that Stone is a little thin from the photos, and the amount of weight he has lost in the past 3 weeks is definitely cause for concern. The next steps after checking for intestinal parasites include blood work to make sure that there isn't an underlying infection present and that organ function is normal. It can also determine that food is being digested and nutrients are absorbed appropriately. X-rays and an ultrasound can rule out masses, obstructions, and inflamed bowels. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you may have!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Summer. I agree with your veterinarian that the blood panel is unremarkable. However, it is a very small one. A larger more comprehensive panel would be indicated if he continues to lose weight. I would also recommend fecal and urine testing. Be sure to weigh him again on the same scale within the next few weeks to monitor for any further weight loss. I hope this information helps!

According to the symptom of weight loss, otherwise normal and elevations on bloodwork, I would advise having your pet checked for Cushings disease (due to elevated ALP) via a specific test that your vet can go over with you. Also an abdominal ultrasound should be considered as well to check for any obvious masses since the Globulins were a bit high. Weight loss can also be caused by a change in diet as well, especially if your pet was once overweight, so its best to discuss this possibility with your vet as well. Also it is worth mentioning that none of the medications you listed would cause weight loss as an adverse effect. I do hope that things work out well for your pet moving forward. Best wishes and take care!

I recommend to call your veterinarian. When pets don't respond to treatment as expected, it can mean that the real cause of illness has not been identified. The veterinarian may try a different medication or recommend further diagnostics such as a fecal culture, parasite testing or ultrasound. Mia may also need additional testing of the liver such as a bile acids or endocrine testing. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

This is a horrible situation for you and Joe. Many diseases can cause diarrhoea both in the gut and outside of it from othervorgans such as the liver. It is promising that the ultrasound was unremarkable but some subtle changes may not be noted. I would suggest asking your vet to perform a full blood profile including folate and cobalamun, bile acids and endocrine profile. If nothing shows up on these bloods the next step would be endoscopy and biopsies of the gut. For example he could have an inflammatory bowel disease that will only respond to steroids, or it could be a vit B12 deficiency, so It is important to get to the bottom of this.

That is significant weight loss. There must be an underlying issue. Just because the blood tests were relatively normal does not mean there isn't a problem. Unexplained weight loss in the face of a normal to increased appetite suggests primary GI disease, EPI (pancreatic issue) or occult neoplasia (cancer). I suggest x-rays and or abdominal ultrasound as the next step.