If your dog suddenly dropped weight without changing anything about their diet, appetite or physical activity levels, cancer could be the cause.
This “may indicate that their body is using more energy to fight off disease or that they are experiencing metabolic changes associated with cancer,” Dr. Nick Dervisis, an oncologist at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, told HuffPost. Tumors in the digestive tract can also interfere with nutrient absorption and cause your dog to become skinnier, he added.
In addition, many dog owners report that their dog suddenly became uninterested in their food. According to Dervisis, those metabolic changes can also lower your dog’s hunger levels. Furthermore, tumors in their mouth, throat or stomach can make it painful or uncomfortable to eat. This can lead to a noticeable decrease in how much food they consume, he said.
While all of the above signs can be related to other health conditions, like diabetes, an injury or infection, or kidney disease, your vet can conduct a physical exam to provide an accurate diagnosis and get them started on treatment.
According to Dervisis, the very best thing you can do for your dog is to monitor any changes in their behavior and have them checked out as soon as anything seems different.
“Regular check-ups with your primary care veterinarian and being vigilant about any changes in your dog’s health are key to catching cancer early,” Dervisis said.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
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