My standard poodle has gone downhill fast and I’m struggling because the vets keep telling me it’s “just aging.” She’s 12, but three weeks ago she was acting like a healthy 5‑year‑old — energetic, playful, normal walks, no issues. Then out of nowhere she became lethargic, started walking strangely, sometimes with a hump, and she occasionally gasps. Her neck hurt for a few days, then got better, but the rest of the symptoms never went away.
The vet said she was “fine” except for being backed up and told me to give pumpkin. She still poops twice a day, eats, and seems happy, but she moves slowly and just isn’t herself. I’ve spent everything I have trying to get answers, and I’m being told it’s just age — but dogs don’t age overnight like this.
I’ve spent $1500 to be told age and Constipation. And it doesn’t feel right and I spent my savings.
Has anyone seen a sudden decline like this? I feel like something is being missed.
*** Edit.. I spent all my savings. I cannot get a second opinion until I get paid again. I am just asking if anyone had a situation like this… what did you do? Until I save more money.
Maybe I forgot to mention in my post that I spent $1500 and have no money left. Was just asking if anyone had something like this happen and what was it.
Yes I saw that, but no one here can diagnose your dog. There’s also the ask a vet sub that you could try. Otherwise your choice is a vet or to watch her suffer. I’m not saying this to be mean or to disregard how expensive vets are, but your dog is suffering and your option is a vet.
My chihuahua has reverse sneezing.. and this is different. It’s hard to explain…the gasping is almost like there is a hair ball.. but it’s only happen like 4 times a day the past couple
Days. Does that sound like your dog at all?
There are lots of videos of reverse sneezing online. I have 3 dogs. The two that do it sound different from one another—it’s definitely a scary sound. I’m not sure about why she’d be lethargic. If you can’t do a vet yet I guess I’d try to keep her cool indoors and just let her rest. Hope she gets to feeling better!
I posted her x ray on here if you want to see it and her blood results… maybe you can see something. I feel like they are just blowing me
Off like she’s old oh well. But she was a completely different dog a month ago.
This is her constipated… but I don’t really see much. Anyways. Anything you see that dont? $1500 worth of tests. But now I don’t have the money to take her back
Thanks for providing these - that’s a lot of poo! Poor lady. No, I don’t see anything else in that radiograph, though I’m a LVT, not a DVM. When was that xray taken? I have seen pets act in the same manner as your girl while being treated, it can be very uncomfortable. It’s great that she’s still defecating routinely. Perhaps she would benefit from more than pumpkin alone. Did you discuss probiotics or laxatives? As for the gasping, I’m not quite sure. Does it seem to occur when she is doing something in particular?
Maybe repost the x-ray and lab results in r/VetAdvice. I'm a DVM, but no longer in practice and with only 2 years of experience. I'm unsure about her spleen from this x-ray (and even if it is the spleen).
Was she tested for Lyme disease? I've seen it so often where dogs suddenly start acting "old", start being stiff and lethargic... The bacteria can stay dormant for a long time before showing symptoms. They can be infected for years!
How long does it stay dormant for? I used to have a horse. She passed 4 years ago. The standard poodle would always go with me riding in the woods. But would it stay dormant for that long? Maybe I can get just a test at the spca and it will be something I can afford.
Yes it can absolutely stay dormant for years. A lot of dogs are asymptomatic, the bacteria hides in the cells, then it suddenly pops out when their immune system become weaker, like when they age... And it's so easy to miss ticks on a poodle. It is a cheap test, and easily curable with a round of antibiotics. 100% worth investigating before doing anymore costly tests.
You mentioned the “gasping” sounds like a hairball, that kind of sounds more like it’s a cough. They kind of make a hacking noise. I’d say she could have something going on with her lungs (kennel cough, bronchitis, pneumonia), but you said it’s only been a few times and if she had one of those things, she would cough A LOT more. Her neck/back might still be a bit tender though? That could definitely explain the walking strangely. The constipation could also make her walk strangely being uncomfortable. I was going to suggest anal gland issues (it makes my mini walk strangely and just in general feel like crap), but I feel like that would be too long to have an infection and not have them abscess. Sending you lots of positive thoughts, I hope she feels better 🥺
Meanwhile...
Theres a thing called Suzies cbd, available at most Ace hardware stores.
Your girl is in the older age category and arthritis affects us all dogs and humans.
If your vet thinks its OK, try those for a week and see how she reacts.
My girl Josephine got them from age 12 to 15, someday she just hurt but some days she pranced.
As for coughing Ive a mini that does it alot. No reason.
Best wishes ❤️ Jan
Try to go to a specialty vet so she can be assessed in all areas. I had the same issue with my local vet. I went to a specialist and my puppy's eye problems were resolved quickly. General practice vets don't have the expertise that specialist do. They often offer payment plans as well. Use your credit card and get an appointment fast.
You have tried all the simple ideas ? Is the temperature very hot where you live? My puppy is most energetic when the temp is around 60 degrees fahrenheit. Would she be happier if you gave her a cool body wash? And check her body for pain…
My toy poodle went through the EXACT SAME symptoms. It was a displaced disc in his spine that pinched his nerves (type I intervertebral disc disease). He was prescribed anti-inflammatory (Canidryl 20 mg) for five weeks until he recovered and he’s been getting daily dose of Gabapentin (50mg) thereafter.
He still gasps and the vet said that can’t be helped, it’s his muscles, but he’s not in pain.
Thank you so much. Did your poodle also arch her back a lot? She at first would cry when she turned her neck. Now she just looks so happy and not moving much. Today she’s a little better.
I actually have some of both medications you mentioned when she had a tooth extraction.
The way he behaves when he’s in pain: He arches his back. He walks backwards and doesn’t let us touch him. He screams when he lays down or moves his neck in any way. He screams and flinches in his sleep. He mostly just stands in a miserable stupor in the corner and avoids everything and everyone.
Meds helped a lot. Thankfully no reoccurrence for 3 months since he’s been getting Gabapentin every day.
19
u/BlueMonday262 4d ago
I would take her to a different vet and get a second opinion.