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eichele30 asked in PetsDogs · 1 decade ago

About my dog.?

A friend has a 9 yr old lab/retriever & just recently started having problems. He suddenly began going to the bathroom in the house, scooching on floor & tho he usually lays down all the time and sleeps, he cant seem to lay down no matter how much she tells him to.Also, he knows not to be on couch and 2 times already in past coupe days, she tells him to go lay down & he goes & gets on the couch.

he usually wags his tail, but doesnt come up anymore. His butt seems a little red, but no serious irritation.

Any ideas what the problem could be? She's at wits end.

21 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    How long has it been since he was wormed ..???

    That poor dog really sounds like he is suffering from a horrible case of tapeworms ...

    Most pets are affected by worms and indeed many puppies and kittens are born with worms. If untreated worms can cause pets great discomfort, robbing them of necessary nutrition, leaving them tired, listless and out of condition. Worms can also damage your family's health and it is important that your pet is wormed every 3 to 4 months as a preventive measure to protect the health of your pet and family.

    Unfortunately pets can become re-infected with worms from the environment at any time so it is important that a regular treatment programme is maintained.

    There are two sorts of worm - Roundworm and Tapeworm.

    These worms commonly affect dogs and cats and need to be dealt with in different ways. Fortunately highly effective Wormer products are available that will rid your pet of both sorts of worm with one treatment, removing the need for diagnosis.

    Tapeworms are not highly pathogenic (harmful) to your dog. They may cause debilitation and weight loss when they occur in large numbers. Sometimes, the dog will scoot or drag its anus across the ground or carpet because the segments are irritating to the skin in this area. The adult worm is generally not seen, but the white segments which break away from the tapeworm and pass outside the body rarely fail to get an owner's attention!

    Occasionally, a tapeworm will release its attachment in the intestines and move into the stomach. This irritates the stomach, causing the dog to vomit the worm. When this happens, a worm several inches in length will be seen.

    go to your local vet or feed store for some worm pills ...

  • 1 decade ago

    Hi eichele30:

    I would highly suggest you have your friend take the animal to the vet to do xrays to see if anything is going on inside of the dog.

    Sometimes problems with bathroom habits in the house that have never happened before and loss of so much energy could be unpleasant and painful not only for the owner, but the dog as well.

    Also, this could very well be physiological on the dogs part. Has there been any additions to the dogs home (new pets, new people?). Has the dog had any problems lately with other animals? Sometimes all it takes is a child tormenting a dog to make it change it's pattern.

    I hope this helps your friend and the dog.

    Thanks

    iamjustrandy@yahoo.com

  • 1 decade ago

    First of all, before we begin, that is a great dog to have as a companiion. I know because I have a 9 month old female Golden Retriever, which is in the same family as the Labrador.

    I suspect that it is nothing too serious, because these dogs are easy to train, loyal and friendly to everyone. I would try the reward system, which may work in having the dog to obey the owner. If all else fails send her to an obedience school.

    As for the situation on the butt, I don't suspect anything serious. However, just to be 100% certain, I would have it checked out with a well qualified vet.

  • 1 decade ago

    If the butt is a little red and if he drags his butt on the ground, he's doing it to relieve an itch. Dogs have glands on the either side of the lower part of the anus and they get impacted. When this happens, it gives him grief.. Take him to the vet and have the vet show your friend how to deal with the problem in the future.

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  • 1 decade ago

    The scooching on the floor sounds like it could be plugged anal glands and he is trying to clear them out. Take him to the vet and they can express them and show you how to do it so you can keep them clear.

    As for not being able to lift the tail that sounds like a problem.

    This dog needs to be seen by a vet and have some testing done to see if he has hip or spinal problems. They need to check to be sure his spinal cord is not being compressed and that he has feeling in his back feet and legs and tail. He may need x-rays to check for bone structural problems.

    Source(s): I am a dog trainer
  • 1 decade ago

    Take the dog to the vet. It could be at the end of it's days or perhaps it's just some type of illness. The important thing is that the dog isn't suffering. It has been loyal to you , not told any of your secrets and deserves the best.

  • 1 decade ago

    The dog is getting to the point of old age. When the older a dog gets, it forgets things. He/she doesn't know whats right from wrong anymore and doesn't understand what he does is wrong. It's the circle of life. Your friend needs to scold to the dog more often, but still love it. If he ruins your house, best to put it to sleep....for his and your sake. :(

  • 1 decade ago

    Just like in a book I've read, A yellow lab had the same things at the same age you do has. Your dog is getting older. Though it's sad, dogs don't live to be as old as us humans. I think he is just getting old.

  • 1 decade ago

    it sounds like the dog is sick. it's a virus with the brain going around to hundreds of dogs in the united states. there's no risk of death or serious injury, though, tell your friend not to worry. ask your friend to take the dog to the vet, and they'll help as much as they can.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    its gettin old mines gonna b 7 in a month and shes been doin that since 5 years and about 9 months

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