Why does my senior pug have diarrhea, fishy breath, and keep licking?

What a cutie Rufus is! I would be concerned with some of his symptoms that he could be suffering from underlying periodontal disease (problems with his teeth). This is very common in older small breed dogs. Even if you cannot see any issues with his teeth when you look in his mouth, we can often have disease below the gum line that is not detectable while the dog is awake. I would recommend an exam by his vet to see if a dental cleaning is in order. They can check his eyes and ears at that time to see if there are any concerns that need to be addressed with them. Best of luck to you and Rufus!

Hello. There could be more than one issue going on here, although the symptoms of some conditions can overlap. Bad breath can come from tooth decay, gingivitis, or even some stomach issues ( gastric reflux ). The shedding could just be a factor of the time of year ( mine are beginning to dump their winter coats ), but low thyroid could actually fit with all three symptoms. Adding a good probiotic to Coal's diet daily can help with the diarrhea & bad breath, & I would recommend Purina FortiFlora being one of the better ones. I also like Proviable KP, as this is designed specifically for diarrhea & has the probiotics, too. Both are available over the counter. If the probiotic does not help the diarrhea, please consider seeing your veterinarian for some testing to make sure there are no more serious situations to consider. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a tracheitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). Other possible differentials would include heart problems. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. X rays of her chest may be needed. 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!

These are all very concerning signs, especially the bloating which can be due to heart, liver or hormonal conditions all of which can increase the risk of debilitating infections. Please have him assessed urgently and take a urine sample with you if at all possible in order to speed diagnosis and appropriate treatment

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. You need to seek veterinary care for her. Her symptoms have gone on long enough that they will unlikely resolve without treatment. The difficulty breathing is worrisome as well. She will need fecal testing and possibly laboratory work depending on her exam findings. Based on these results, treatment can be prescribed. I would discuss the probiotic with your veterinarian as well. There is a large variation in quality and some have actually been found to contain pathogenic bacteria. I hope this information helps and she is feeling better soon!

These signs may be compatible with a balance problem related to a vestibular disorder. Often middle ear problems are suspected in these cases. Of course other differentials are still possible, especially gastrointestinal inflammations. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. 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!

Many dogs, especially small breed dogs, are prone to dental disease. Imagine what your teeth would be like if you never brushed them (or flossed). yearly dental cleanings are needed and beneficial to maintain dental health but they cannot be the sole dental care for an older, small breed dog. There are many things you can do at home to provide Nacho dental care and this will help with his bad breath. The first thing to do is have Nacho examined to make sure his bad breath is really just bad breath. An infected tooth, kidney disease and diabetes can also cause bad breath. A physical exam and detailed medical history will help to veterinarian to determine the underlying cause. Here are some helpful links about at home dental care: https://www.petcoach.co/article/dental-care-what-to-include-in-a-complete-program/ When brushing the teeth, pay special attention to the small teeth (the incisors) because this area is very prone to disease. Do make sure however to brush all the teeth. The licking could be due to a bad taste in his mouth but it can also be a sign of nervousness or a self soothing behavior. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.