My senior dog is lethargic, won't eat, has pale gums. What's wrong?

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!

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.

Hi. I am very sorry about Holly being so sick. I am very concerned about her pale gum color. She could have a true emergency going on right now - and she should be seen by a veterinarian right away. Pale gums are related to lack of perfusion or anemia (low red blood cell count). Any of the reasons that cause pale gums are a true emergency and she should be examined right away. Very best of luck to you and sweet Holly.

Hi. The pale gums and weight loss are very serious signs! I don't know the age, or sex, or history, so it's a bit hard to review the most likely possibilities. But with pale gums and weight loss, 8d be concerned about internal bleeding, cancer, immune mediated disease, parasites, k8dney disease, and many more. An exam, lab work, and x-rays will be needed to get down to the the potential cause. I would recommend getting him seen right away.

Yes it would be best to have her seen. Decreased appetite and lethargy are very common symptoms of many diseases, many of which may be treatable. The best way to know what is going on (diagnosis), how serious it is, and how to help her feel better is to have her seen. Most likely your vet will recommend some senior bloodwork and xrays to start. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Max! Max does sound sick. I can't fully understand your post but I think you are saying that Max is lethargic and isn't eating. That he is holding down water. Is he vomiting too? From your pictures his gums do look a little less pink then they should. If he is anemic (low red blood cells) then that can be serious. Causes could be blood loss from a tumor inside his belly, infectious causes like tick borne diseases, immune conditions or other types of cancer. There are many causes for lethargy and not eating: blockage, cancer, kidney or liver failure, viral diseases, etc. I would have him seen by your Vet for an exam. I wish you and Max the very best!

Poor Boomer! I'm afraid this sounds quite serious. It's hard to say what might be going on without being able to examine him in person and run some tests, but these are very concerning symptoms. Pale pink gums are generally a sign of shock or blood loss, which is a medical emergency. Abdominal pain, lethargy, and not eating or drinking could be caused by a number of different things including pancreatitis, an intestinal obstruction, a systemic illness like liver or kidney disease, a bleeding abdominal tumor, or ingestion of something toxic. This sounds like it may be a life-threatening problem, so I would recommend taking Boomer to the vet immediately for an exam. He/she can do blood work and x-rays if needed to help diagnose the problem and get him started on appropriate treatment depending on what is found.