Why is my 4-year-old German Shepherd's urine yellow and he won't eat?

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Some dogs are compulsive drinkers and behaviorally will drink non-stop if allowed. If she is also urinating a lot and is underweight I’d recommend a vet exam, blood work and fecal testing. I’d assume at her young age the drinking excessively is behavioral. If she isn’t active and not in the heat limit her water intake a bit. As for her appetite if she is underweight then I’d be concerned for parasites or a digestive disorder. Shepherds can be affected by pancreatic insufficiency and inflammatory bowel disease. If she is underweight then increase her food by 25% every 2-4 weeks until she had has ideal body condition. You can also consider changing foods if she isn’t gaining before seeing your vet. . See the chart below to see what her body condition is. Good luck! https://oregonvma.org/files/Purina-Dog-Condition-Chart.pdf

This is a quite generic but concerning sign. Differentials are many, from gastrointestinal diseases (infection/inflammations often dietary related) to any disease that can spread systemically (causing lethargy for example) like infection. Urine could be more concentrated than normal (given the inappetence and the diarrhoea causing mild dehydration). The approach must be logic, starting from offering different kind of food (a bland diet would be best- boiled chicken and rice). A check up is needed if inappetence last for more than 24hours. If that was the case urine analysis could 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.

This could indicate that something is wrong with Roxy. Her urine is so yellow likely because she is not drinking much water. I would recommend having her seen by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I would have her blood tested and her urine as well. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Hi, and thanks for your question. This is a quite generic but concerning presentation. Differentials are many, from gastrointestinal diseases (infection/inflammations often dietary related) to any disease that can spread systemically (causing lethargy for example) like infection, and anything that can cause pain/discomfort. The approach must be logic, starting from offering different kind of food. A check up is needed if complete inappetence lasts for more than 24hours. 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. I am sorry Zack is having trouble with his feces. Yellow poop is usually a sign of either diarrhea (gastric upset), mal-absorptive disease (German Shephards are prone to getting Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficency "EPI"), or worms. Also, poop colour changes with various diets. If your puppy is not dewormed and is still bright and happy and active, and eating/drinking well, I would start by deworming him. At one month of age he should be transitioning from milk from his mother to solid foods, and this may make the feces a less yellow colour as well. If the feces is very greasy and bad smelling, and if Zack is very thin, then I would be worried about EPI. If your puppy is bright and happy, and eating well, and the diarrhea is solid or soft/solid, then just deworm and start weaning Zack onto a good quality puppy food. If there is diarrhea present or Zack is lethargic I would have him seen by a veterinarian.

Hello, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I agree, that is some very dark urine which indicates he must not be drinking enough. You need to increase his water intake. The best way to do that is to add some chicken or beef broth to his food; use the low sodium kind. The added salt (even in the low sodium variety) should encourage him to drink more. If this dark urine continues for more than a few days you should take him to your vet for an exam and urine test.

Hi, thanks for usingPetCoach! Poor Tuffy! At 4 weeks old I worry that he isn’t eating, dehydration and low blood sugar can occur quickly in such young puppies. The urine being yellow is normal but I’m assuming you mean it’s darker yellow than normal which can indicate dehydration, bilirubin, blood or infection. Causes of not eating: intestinal parasites, from the mutton, viral or bacterial infections, an intestinal obstruction, toxin ingestion, metabolic conditions like liver or kidney problems. Tuffy needs to see a Vet. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best!