I Am Really Worried About Oliver !!

[cheryl & oliver]

Since we had to put Renny down a month ago, Oliver was really sad and looking for him, but this seemed to pass, and he was doing great.  I would go out to do errands and i didn't need to crate him, he wasn't doing any damage to anything.  He would hang out in front of the window in my office, or the sliding glass doors in my kitchen.  He now seems to be very very sad, that is the only way I can describe this, he is kind of lethargic, lays around a lot, but I thought maybe he is bored?  We took him to play with the doodle down the street, and he was ok, but then sort of came to me and laid down by my feet.  No interest in continuing play. He has become very clingy with both me and my husband, he is very attached to us and i undrstand that, I love when he rests his head on my leg sort of leaning into me, but he is much more attached now.  Then he decided that he wouldn't eat his food, he is on TOTW, since a young age, and today he refused to eat it at all this am.  He usually loves his food and inhales it, so we are trying Fromm's now.  He ate it ok, but not enthused, I just can't put my finger on it???..Is he lonely? is he ill? is he depressed?  I called the vet today and he wants to do a blood work up tomorrow on him and just check him over.  He mentioned something about poss. Addisons disease since he has poodle in him?  He told me not to get nuts, he just wants to make sure all is well since he had a stomache problem last month...He just isn't himself and I am so worried....I am hoping and praying that this is a delayed reaction to Renny's not being here.  I am sorry this is so long, I just need to get some thoughts on this...Thanks, Cheryl

[cheryl & oliver]

Thanks Karen, I know it is not from the food, and of course I know the vet is right about the bld workup, it just scares me that there could be something wrong with him, I know i worry too much, and it prob. is just he is lonely or bored or whatever, and of course I don't want him to be sad or lonely, but I would like to hear that diagnosis right now over anything else...I hope u read what i wrote as a reply to you in the other discussion, I was so proud that i knew the good foods vs the others...and why they were better, I think I impressed the owner of the store, lol...like I said he is going to go to doodlekisses to read the food group and all about you....He is very knowledgable, and he sells really food food there. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Cheryl, I have no real advice, but I hope Oliver starts feeling better. I think if you think something is up, follow your instincts and the vet check seems like a good idea. I am thinking about you!!

[cheryl & oliver]

Thanks Laurie, I know u will be thinking of me and Oliver.  I am going to take him tomorrow for the bld work, and then I am hoping that we will have the results by Mon or Tues.  I love my vet, and i trust him.  I have used him for 30 yrs.  He is not an alarmest, he will always go to the side of caution first, and not run and do a million things and run up huge bills.  If he suspects something I have to follow thru....I will keep u informed.  As soon as I know something, I will let u know....Thanks again my friend...

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

I am sorry to hear about Oliver and hoping it is just due (but still terribly sad) to the loss of his best buddy Renny and not from being ill.  My Jake has been really down in the dumps since our last foster left....more so than usual.  It is so hard when our doodles are not acting like their usual selves.  We are sending you lots of doodle hugs and wishes that Oliver will start to feel like his regular self.  Your post caught my eye because of the name Oliver...my first dog was named Oliver growing up:)

[cheryl & oliver]

thanks Colleen, I appreciate your kind thoughts and words.  I am so hoping that this a reaction to his missing his best friend, I just thought he was doing ok with that, and now he seems depressed or something, really sad...He is going today for the blood work.  I always wanted a dog named Oliver, lol, just never got one, so when we got him, there was no hesitation in his naming...thanks again Colleen.

[F, Calla & Luca]

A general check up sounds fine but a leap to an Addison's possiblity seems unfounded at this point. I am sure Oliver misses Renny. Get the work up and I hope it's all fine. Grief is a long process.

[cheryl & oliver]

thanks, F. He did have a general check up about 4 mos ago and all was fine.  Of course he didn't have bld work, there was no reason at the time.  He just wants to rule out the possibility of Addisons, only because of his symptoms, he personally thinks it is grief. but he just wants to make sure there is no underlying problem that we may be missing.  I didn't know that Poodles are suseptable (sp) to Addisons, interesting.  This morning he ate his breakfast with no problem, and he pooped fine.  I am taking him in today for the blood work, and he will check him too just to be sure there is nothing hurting that he can find.  Thanks F.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Poor baby.  Oliver sounds like he is bummed out over the loss of his buddy.  It must be hard for them when their best friend doesn't come home.  Please keep us posted.

[cheryl & oliver]

Hi Linda, I always thought that they have no conception of time, I know he was bummed out about not having Renny here, but he did seem to perk up, and now he is back to being sad, at least i am hoping that is all it is...I will keep everyone posted.  Thanks for the note..

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I truly hope it is not Addison's disease, but your vet is smart to check for it anyway.  Addison's causes an insufficient ( not the exact right term) physical adjustment to stress and the result is a lethargic non eating dog.

Roo has Addison's.  It is treatable with a normal life span.  It is, however, a hefty ongoing expense.  Roo is worth it of course.  Hopefully Oliver is just still missing his buddy and all will be well.

 

[cheryl & oliver]

Hi Maryann, I knew someone here has a doodle with Addisons, just didn't remember who it was, thanks for sending a reply.  If it is that, I am glad it can be treated, and of course we will do whatever has to be done.  He is so worth everything to us.  I am still going to hope it is just grief that he is feeling.  When we lost Token, Renny was very depressed, refused to eat, and was also just so sad.  that is why we got Oliver, but right now we can't get another dog, but if we have to, I will, just have to convince DH that we have to have another dog.  Just like Renny, he was never alone.  When we got Renny, he had Token here for 13yrs they were together.  Oliver came and Renny was here with him for 3 yrs. 

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Cheryl, I just hate reading this! I think that Oliver is just in a funk, but if it's more than that, the bloodwork will show it! Please keep us posted! I'll say a prayer tonight for all of you!