Labrador Losing Weight, is now skinny Options

[Rappie]

No need to apologise for anything WhiteEagle

The urine specific gravity USG is how we measure the concentration of the urine, it's a comparison to the 'weight' of water which is 1.00. As urine is created, there end up being a lot of things dissolved in it and these increase the 'weight' or concentration of the urine. Excess water consumption will make the USG decrease, loss of body water through dehydration will make it increase. A USG of 1.008 means that the urine is not being altered at all as it passes through the kidneys. If she has been drinking a lot of water, this may be normal - so if I found this on a random urine test, I would retest it to see whether it ever went up - and try to include a 'first wee of the morning' to see what the concentration is after several hours without water. If this were a result of a decline in kidney function only, it would usually be quite progressed to have a 'normal' USG so low and I would expect our measures of kidney function - the urea and creatinine, to be higher.

I have recently seen a case where a cat presented for vomiting and being off colour and I admitted it for observation at the owners request. As this particular cat was a 'senior' of 15 years old, we decided to run a wellness profile as a screening test (even though my suspicion was that the cat had a 'clinical furball' - it ate intestinal food overnight and was back to normal in the morning). I collected a urine sample at the same time, and the USG was 1.022 which, although shows some evidence of concentrating ability is far from normal for a cat and suggests that 'something' is affected the way the kidneys work - the rest of the in house urine test was normal. I collected a sterile sample directly from the bladder to keep in the fridge. The blood results came back with a mild elevation in kidney enzymes, and some evidence of mild dehydration. A dehydrated cat should have a USG of at least 1.040 - so I sent the sterile urine off for culture. I got the result back today and the lab has grown very high number of a single type of bacteria - so this cat has what we call an 'occult infection'. Sometimes we do the same thing and get a negative result - in which case we have ruled out chronic urinary tract infection.

My concern in some of these cases is a chronic low level kidney infection, normally concentrated urine is a horrible place for bacteria to live but dilute urine is great. If a culture was negative, and the USG was consistently low then I would go looking for the 'why' with further tests. At the beginning I would also monitor the water intake over 24 hour periods, even if it required separating the dogs, it's important that we know whether the water intake is excessive or not.

Obviously, I don't have personal knowledge of your dog, only 3 tiny bits of information so you should be guided by your own vets who have examined her and can interpret the test results with that in mind. I'm also happy to be labelled as one of those 'young vets' who seems to do a lot of tests - so be it. I have great faith in the adage "You miss more by not looking, than not knowing" - this doesn't mean doing useless or worthless tests, but sometimes we just need more information.

[Erny]

I'm also happy to be labelled as one of those 'young vets' who seems to do a lot of tests - so be it. I have great faith in the adage "You miss more by not looking, than not knowing" - this doesn't mean doing useless or worthless tests, but sometimes we just need more information.

I wish for that in the Vets I see. Instead, I tend to get made to feel that "I'm just paranoid" reactions (and I'm not sure why, because some of the symptoms my dog/s have shown have been quite obvious) when I insist that something is wrong, even though basic tests have proven negative for anything. If not that, then I get 'shrugs' and the feeling that they don't really want to be bothered. I don't understand that - I'd have thought they'd like to learn. I know I would (and do).

Rappie ..... move out my way, would you please? (I've asked this before ..... I'll keep nagging you ).

This post has been edited by Erny: 13th Feb 2010 - 09:36 PM

[labsrule]

Hi WhiteEagle

I hope your girl is doing better and hope her weight is stabilising. to you and your lovely girl and best wishes for improvement in her condition.

[LabTested]

Thanks again for the good wishes. You have given me some more to consider Rappie. She doesn't seem to be drinking enough to me; I had to get her to drink more to get the second urine sample (by adding some meat juice to the water) so maybe her urine was diluted? She has allergy issues that are still present but it is by far better than it was. This has given her secondary fungal and bacterial infections in the past so I wouldn't discount bladder. I will ask the vet about this. Another symptom that I didn't mention is bad breath.

At present she is being seen at an animal hospital and as good and reputable as it is, we haven't been lucky to see the same vet twice. In the past we have had a visiting home vet for the basic needs of both dogs, like vaccinations and routine checkups but he is no good for path tests and of course when she had pancreatitis.

Her condition/s is very complicated with the allergy, pancreatitis and now kidneys. I wish I did have one vet overseeing her but am not in a position to do that in the foreseeable near future. The kidney diet can't hurt I hope. I really feel out of my depth here not being sure what’s wrong. She's the sweetest girl too.

[sandgrubber]

Thanks again for the good wishes. You have given me some more to consider Rappie. She doesn't seem to be drinking enough to me; I had to get her to drink more to get the second urine sample (by adding some meat juice to the water) so maybe her urine was diluted? She has allergy issues that are still present but it is by far better than it was. This has given her secondary fungal and bacterial infections in the past so I wouldn't discount bladder. I will ask the vet about this. Another symptom that I didn't mention is bad breath.

At present she is being seen at an animal hospital and as good and reputable as it is, we haven't been lucky to see the same vet twice. In the past we have had a visiting home vet for the basic needs of both dogs, like vaccinations and routine checkups but he is no good for path tests and of course when she had pancreatitis.

Her condition/s is very complicated with the allergy, pancreatitis and now kidneys. I wish I did have one vet overseeing her but am not in a position to do that in the foreseeable near future. The kidney diet can't hurt I hope. I really feel out of my depth here not being sure what's wrong. She's the sweetest girl too.

I'm not in Melbourne, so have no vet suggestions . . . but you might consider putting up a new post asking for a good vet for complex internal problems in your area of Melbourne. It would be worth driving and extra 15 minutes to get better diagnosis.

[LabTested]

Good news for now: Heidi has been on the kidney diet (Royal canine, Renal) and has put on 3kgs since I last posted. We have a long way to go but it is such a cheer to see her pick up like this. I appreciate all the feedback and will take it all on board. Please excuse me whilst I chuff to see an improvement for her.

[zayda_asher]

That's great, hope it continues!

[labsrule]

Great news so pleased that Heidi is putting on weight must be a big relief for you - hopefully she has turned a corner and will continue to improve Lots of for Heidi

[becky thatcher]

I'm also happy to be labelled as one of those 'young vets' who seems to do a lot of tests - so be it. I have great faith in the adage "You miss more by not looking, than not knowing" - this doesn't mean doing useless or worthless tests, but sometimes we just need more information.

I wish for that in the Vets I see. Instead, I tend to get made to feel that "I'm just paranoid" reactions (and I'm not sure why, because some of the symptoms my dog/s have shown have been quite obvious) when I insist that something is wrong, even though basic tests have proven negative for anything. If not that, then I get 'shrugs' and the feeling that they don't really want to be bothered. I don't understand that - I'd have thought they'd like to learn. I know I would (and do).

Rappie ..... move out my way, would you please? (I've asked this before ..... I'll keep nagging you ).

I am never made to feel paranoid at our vets. I love our vets, we give them so much business that we get a Christmas card.
I spend a lot but I never begrudge it, my dogs are my life.

How great to have you on the forum Rappie!

[wolfgirl]

Fantastic news WhiteEagle so happy that Heidi is picking up for you

[Rommi n Lewis]

Great to hear she is improving