Why is my senior dog skinny, disoriented, with lumps and accidents?

Question

My jack Russell is 19, never had a reason to take her to the vets before, she's become really skinny, got a few lumps and bumps and she sometimes loses control of her bowels and her walking is all disoriented, what do you suggest? Pet's info: Dog | Jack Russell Terrier | Female | 20 years and 7 months old | 5 lbs

Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH · Accepted Answer

Hi there and thank you for your question about Lucy. Lumps and bumps in older pets are not uncommon. Sometimes these are fatty tumors that generally do not cause a problem and are not cause for concern, but it's always good to have a veterinarian check these just to be sure. Loss of control of the bowels is also not uncommon in older pets just like it's not that uncommon in older people! However the disoriented walking and the weight loss is a concern that should be addressed by a veterinarian soon. Disorientated walking could be due to osteoarthritis or a neurological disorder causing her not to understand where her limbs are in space. Sometimes disorientation can be a sign of canine cognitive dysfunction (canine dementia). Weight loss could be because she is eating less due to pain from arthritis or it could be due to organ dysfunction or neoplasia (cancer). My best advice for you and Lucy would be to visit a veterinarian so you can discuss Lucy's history and current issues in detail and get a diagnosis so you and your veterinarian can decide how best to care for lucy going forward. There may be some medications your vet can Rx that could be helpful to her. I hope this has helped and I also love Jack Russells. They are one of my favorite breeds! Best wishes and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Why is my senior dog skinny, disoriented, with lumps and accidents?

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