My dog has an illness or is depressed from his brothers death?

Question by Ally: My dog has an illness or is depressed from his brothers death?

My dog had a twin brother who recently passed away from an illness, he has become skinny, his back is no longer straight but hunched, doesnt want to eat and not respond. We looked around the area and we found to what we believe was blood near him. We dont know what is going on. please help. We figure he’s sick but depressed over his brother’s death…please…help.

Best answer:

Answer by Kat A
take him to the vet, he could be sick

Answer by Lori M
I think it would be impossible to find an answer here. They only way to determine what is going on with your dog is to bring him to the vet, especially if hes in the shape you describe and you found blood. What was your other dogs illness?

Your dog really needs to be checked out.

Answer by Animal Lover
PLEASE take him to the vet. He could die. Dogs do get upset after a death of a close one, but they don’t get sick.The fact that you say y’all found blood means that he could have something seriously wrong. I am BEGGING you, take him to the vet.

Answer by Bonzie12
Dogs mourn. When one dog dies, owners will often notice some changes in the pets that are left behind. They may become aloof or lethargic. Some may stop eating or become clingy. Based on these outward signs, it appears that dogs do grieve when their canine companion dies.

Because our pets cannot speak, we don’t really know what is going through their minds or what they are thinking. We must base our interpretations of their emotional state on their behavior – what they do in certain situations and under specific circumstances.

When a person experiences the death of a human loved one, we may know he feels grief based on what he says. Very often, however, it is how he reacts or what he does that tells us he is suffering. He loses his focus, becomes listless and disoriented, doesn’t eat and becomes disinterested in what is happening around him. The person may cry or go without sleep or sleep more than usual.

An animal that is experiencing the loss of another animal companion may react similarly. “Some animals can actually become depressed when they lose a loved one,” says Monique D. Chretien, MSc, AHT, Animal Behavior Consultant. “They show symptoms similar to humans such as loss of interest in their favorite activities and sleeping more than usual. However, sometimes dogs may distance themselves from the family and sleep more than usual when they are ill, so you should consult with your veterinarian before seeing a behaviorist if your dog exhibits symptoms such as these.”

Your dog may lose her appetite, become disoriented, or become more clingy. If the deceased dog was taken to a veterinarian to be euthanized, the grieving dog may sit at the window for days watching for her return. Animal behaviorists commonly call this emotional state separation anxiety. On the surface, the pet’s behavior is similar to
that of a person experiencing grief over the loss of a loved one.

Answer by Vashti
Take your dog to the vet to rule out any illness.

Grief could be the problem. When we had our standard schnauzer put down several years ago, my beagle (who was his bestest buddy) mourned him for 5 or 6 months. Eventually, she got over it, but it was sad.

Answer by ringtonelol
Dogs do have emotions and it is not rare for them to become depressed if a friend is lost. I think a good idea is to get another dog. Not for you for your dog. Not to fill the gap… but to fill a hole in your pup’s heart. I think that he just needs a new friend. And remember, time heals all wounds. Please, be prepared. This dog may pass on really soon. I’m so dreadfully sorry.

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