Dog off form

irishlady29

Just looking for people's thoughts on my situation. 9/10 year old collie has been not himself for the last couple of weeks. He's eating fine and will play with his ball but not as long as usual. He doesn't seem to be drinking much and is urinating alot less, when he eventually goes it's very concentrated. He's eating fine, and, still robbing food! He's not as spritly as he used to be.
Just wondering am I bring paranoid or should I be concerned. Wondering is it age related, is he considered an old dog?
Any advice would be so appreciated
Thanks in advance

VonVix

You know your dog, go with your gut instinct. I don't think you're being paranoid at all, if he was my dog I would be bringing him to the vet.

Pretzill

I would get him to the vet - for peace of mind. Hopefully it's something minor.

irishlady29

Yes thinking the same. Have app for other dog on Monday so will bring him with me then for peace of mind.
Is 9/10 considered old for a collie?

VonVix

irishlady29 wrote: »

Yes thinking the same. Have app for other dog on Monday so will bring him with me then for peace of mind.
Is 9/10 considered old for a collie?

Usually the larger the dog, the lower the lifespan. I wouldn't say it's "old" for a collie, but you certainly have a senior dog.

DBB

I'm afraid 8+ is categorised as "geriatric" for dogs op
It is recommended to get a minimum of annual blood tests from that age onwards. As they get older, 2 blood tests annually are a good idea. It's so important to pick up on things before they become a problem.
Any sudden change in behaviour or patterns should be investigated op, so like everyone else, I'd be making an appointment with the vet... Do let them know you're bringing your collie on Monday so that they can factor that in to their schedule.
Good luck op, hopefully it's something minor

Pretzill

irishlady29 wrote: »

Yes thinking the same. Have app for other dog on Monday so will bring him with me then for peace of mind.
Is 9/10 considered old for a collie?

Dogs age. And like ourselves health problems can occur with age. I wouldn't say 9 or 10 is old in the sense that the dog should hopefully have a few years healthy living ahead.

(It also makes me sad that their beautiful lives are considerably shorter than ours. Some measure dog years by multiplying by 7 human years. I have got to the age where I can measure my life in collie years my first passed at 13 - the next at 14 and the most recent at 15 - )

irishlady29

Update: visit to the vet. Bloods done weight and joints etc checked. Results back were good so no explanation given. Since vet visit dog has improved greatly. Back in good form and interested in playing with balls/toys. Even back robbing food!
Was great to get peace of mind from vet but strange how there's no explanation for him being off form

maggiepip

He could have had a bit of a pain issue which has passed now, hence him being less active and lazier about going to the toilet etc.
Tbh vets dont always pick up on pain issues, and dogs dont always show pain responses at the vets, because they get anxious and adrenaline floods their system. A rush of adrenaline/high anxiety, will of course often mask pain.
Personally Ive experienced vets miissing back pain in 2 of my dogs over the years. Great he's back to himself now.

Angel2016

VonVix wrote: »

Usually the larger the dog, the lower the lifespan. I wouldn't say it's "old" for a collie, but you certainly have a senior dog.

I have a retriever collie cross who is 16 this year so it really depends on how well they are looked after for their life span I think now my old girl has a grey beard and breaths a little heavy but is very healthy we had her at the vets two weeks ago as we were worried about her and after many tests and x-rays we were told she was too fat ! lol..