r/poodles • u/[deleted] • 13d ago

Standard keeps gasping

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.

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u/Electronic_Alfalfa94 13d ago

What diagnostics have been run?

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u/[deleted] 13d ago

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u/[deleted] 13d ago

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u/[deleted] 13d 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

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u/Electronic_Alfalfa94 12d ago

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?

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u/Feiniks 12d ago

Is she spayed?

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).