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Old June 29th, 2009, 10:45 PM
Lizzydog Lizzydog is offline
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Shepard always hungry/drinks too much

I'm new here and need some help please. Have a Shepard mix (14 1/2) for the last 2 months she's always hungry and drinks a whole bowl of water at a time. She won't go outside unless I go with her or walk her for a few minutes. She pees and poops normal. Today, she tried to get into the pantry to get more food. She acts like she is starving and gets into my face and won't leave me alone until I give her some food.. She's getting to fat but I don't know what to do. I've had her since she was 3 weeks old. What kind of tests should I ask the doctor to do? I'm afraid the doctor is going to tell me to put her thru all kinds of things that will make suffer and I don't want that. I know she's old and just want her to go gracefully. Any ideas as to why she all of a sudden can't get enough food?
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Old June 29th, 2009, 10:57 PM
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Dracko Dracko is offline
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I have a shepherd and experienced the same thing before. I found changing his food and exercising him more did the trick.

I changed him to 1 can of Merrick/day. Half in the morning along with 1 cup of Innova dry food. The other 1/2 for supper with the 1 cup of Innova again.

While he'll always accept any other treats and such, he no longer has the panicked HAVE TO EAT, EAT, EAT thing going on. I think some of it was boredom.
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  #3  
Old June 30th, 2009, 12:43 AM
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growler~GateKeeper growler~GateKeeper is offline
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Since your dog is 141/2 she is considered a senior and should have a geriatric (or full) blood panel and urinalysis run every year or if there are any known medical issues they should be done every 6 months.

When was the last time she had a geri panel & UA done?
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Old June 30th, 2009, 09:50 AM
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Dracko Dracko is offline
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Oops, I read that as 4 1/2 months. I definitely agree. At that age a full exam is necessary.
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Dracko (GSD) male - 2000 - 31/02/2011 RIP my boy
Mochie (Balinese X/feline) female - 1994 - 07/01/2010 RIP my sweetie
Ginkgo (Siamese X/feline) female - 6 years
Smitty (long-haired white/feline) male - 5 years
Teiya (Ragdoll x/feline) female - 3 years
Kinsey (Ragdoll x/feline) female - 3 years

DON’T BREED OR BUY WHILE SHELTER PETS DIE!
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  #5  
Old June 30th, 2009, 10:20 AM
Lizzydog Lizzydog is offline
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Sheperd always hungry/thristy

She's been healthy all these years.. I'm going to call today and get her in for the blood work. I found her on the highway when she was 3 weeks old. I had her checked out then. When I did take her, they would say how healthy her teeth were and how healthy she looked in general. She's deaf now. They checked her out and said, it's because she old. She also has a bum leg but still wants to go on shorts walks.. It's just the eating thing that has me worried.
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Old June 30th, 2009, 10:35 AM
kandy kandy is offline
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It could be a thyroid issue, so make sure your vet includes that on the blood panel. Also, if her food is grain heavy, she could be having problems getting enough nutrition from that as she ages and might need to be switched to a grain free food. That would also help with her weight.
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Old June 30th, 2009, 06:31 PM
Lizzydog Lizzydog is offline
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Shepard eats/drinks to much-update

Took Lizzy to the vet.. Ran bunch of tests, e-rays, etc. She has cushins Diease.. Said she has maybe 6 months to live.. She's almost 15 and he said even with meds, she probably wouldn't last more than 6 months if she didn't take it.. She's not in pain and right now, she's ok.. Said, she will get weaker and weaker and then I'll know what to do. So I'm trying to prepare myself and just love her as long as I can.
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Old June 30th, 2009, 08:35 PM
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edwina edwina is offline
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I hope you have longer with her than they say. :sad:
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Old June 30th, 2009, 09:17 PM
Lizzydog Lizzydog is offline
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thankyou
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Old July 1st, 2009, 12:54 AM
sofapup sofapup is offline
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While reading this I suspected Cushings. My soul-mate, my beagle, had Cushings. He was younger when it was diagnosed, maybe 9 or 10. He lived until 12, but died of other causes. I was never told that his Cushings could be fatal for him. Had he been 15, I'm sure his outcome would have been different.

I'm so sorry that your buddy has come down with this. I don't know how much my Winston felt from all this. He got grumpy, like an old man telling the neighbor kids to "get off his lawn." But he was never a complainer. He kept up with us at the dog park. And in his last year he took on a coyote that wandered across "his" front yard.

When he came down with cancer I was told he could have 6 months, and I thought I would have the summer with him. He was gone with the week. It wasn't the Cushings that brought him down, it was something unforeseen and fast. We never know. We can't predict.

Keep hope alive,
Julia
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Old July 1st, 2009, 09:57 AM
kandy kandy is offline
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I'm so sorry that Lizzy has Cushings disease. I'll keep her in my prayers.
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