Decreased Appetite & Bad Breath

 have you visited your vet?

there is an article in this month's whole dog journal about decreased appetite and the possible causes. they are numerous.  

 I agree that a vet check is probably in order. My first thought would be to check his teeth for any chips, cracks of redness of the gums.

I'm going to check him when I get home today, I havnt gotten close enough to check his teeth yet but the vet is in order regardless. He has had one heck of a change in life lately and has never been to the vet, just the clinic for vaccines from what his previous owner has told me. He went from being a outside dog, free fed with minimal exercise. To being a indoor dog, scheduled meals and a adequate exercise schedule so I've noticed a loss in weight but its been accompanied with muscle definition so I thought we were doing ok until this past week. His coat looks amazing and he is extremely visibly faster and agile. He was being fed Nutro and the past month and a half he has been on merrick. I am assuming if this was due to a switch in food or routine it would have been when we first took him in right?

Do the vet thing and ... do it now.  bad breath and decreased appetite can be symtoms of a ton of things that range from super bad to ... pretty much nothing. 

So why rush to the vet?  Simply because if it IS bad, most of the 'bad' things are pretty darned treatable IF caught early.  And frankly, the earlier you catch stuff the cheaper it is.  That is SO true it's not funny. 

The upside is that it's just some gingevitis (yep gum disease like you and I) and the downside is too numerous to list.  But ... since there are no other symptoms then going while it's not a major huge thing means you get to take AWESOME treats, (take a bag for the receptionists, a bag for the techs AND a bag for the vet himself.)

 Yep, I'm serious -- this is his first vet visit so make it while it's NOT a biggie.  While they don't have to majorly hurt him to examine him because he's feeling horrible.  Don't worry that the vet has 'treats there' -- shoot, take some of his kibble if you've got him on a reduced diet BUT every vet loves to be a 'hero' and this builds all sorts of wonderful memories that will help him later on. 

Take him now while he doesn't associate going to the vet with feeling dire ... and be honest with the vet and staff that you are shamelessly trying to ensure that this dog LOVES going to the vet.  YOU will be a hero for caring, and everyone wins all the way around.

It's not a waste of money -- it's honestly an investment.

Ok they can get us in on wednsday so tomorrow we are going with a bag of treats so he can meet everyone and just say Hello. He's a Amstaffie so I want everyone to meet him while he is his jolly self and let him see its a good place. So hopefully on wednsday when they are probinghim he'll accept it easier, lol! He is typically Mr. Cool laid back Joe but when someone is sticking stuff up your butt its kinda hard to be happy!

I have been meaning to do this anyhow and have basic tests done so WHEN and IF he does get sick they'll be able to comapre his tests with his regular levels. I'll keep everyone posted! I dont know why but I'm excited to take him to his first vet visit......its like now he's pretty well mine, lol!

YOu go girl!!!

This might sound like pure craziness.  But, Willow has always had trouble with foods with veggies in them.  And, sometimes she would be obviously sick.  But, at first, it would just be minor symptoms like not really wanting to eat. 

I think you are doing the right thing taking him for a check up.  But, if they don't find any cause that might be something to consider.  Especially, since he probably never got veggies and stuff like that before now.  Willow was the same way, kept outside and free fed kibble.

Hhmm, thats good to know Willow. Primo is defintly a dog who walks his own path, I took him to visit the vet today so we'll see how it goes tommorrow!