Dog Losing Weight and Has Lost Bladder Control

Question:

Mercy (10 year old, unspayed pit bull/boxer mix) has suddenly lost a lot of weight where her ribs are showing, she drinks water constantly and has lost total control of her bladder. Her urine is clear, no color in it whatsoever. What might be the cause and what can be done to help her?

- Sandy

Answer:

Sandy,
The two most common problems that I would suspect with the symptoms you are describing would be diabetes and kidney disease. Both of these problems can have dire consequences if they are not diagnosed and treated.

Since your dog is not spayed, uterine infection (pyometra), which is also very common in older intact female dogs must be placed on the list. This can also be fatal if left untreated. Many people do not realize how important is is to spay or neuter their pet, regardless of whether it will ever be purposely bred or not!

You should take your dog to the vet immediately to have diagnostic testing so that your veterinarian can determine what is wrong and formulate a treatment plan!

I hope everything turns out well for her,
Sara F. Jennen DVM