Any chance you or the pet sitter could get him to the vet sooner? Hip dysplasia could be a possibility, though that would not require immediate action. You noted that he growled a bit when you tried to touch his abdomen - did his stomach appear swollen at all? If so, I might be very concerned about bloat. Another check, if the dog allows you or the sitter to do so, is to look at his gums. Pale gums can also be a sign of bloat or internal bleeding. I had a 6 year old GSD who one day wouldn't move from her bed. It turned out she had a hematoma of the spleen, which had it burst would likely killed her quickly as she would have bled out internally. She had her spleen removed, and my sweet girl lived for many more happy years. I don't want to be an alarmist, but the safest thing to do is to get the pup checked out as soon as possible! At the very least, please call a vet/emergency vet and describe the symptoms.

He is fat so hard to determine if bloated. I'll ck this gums. I could take him, I'll ask beighbor

I hope everything is okay with him. You are a great neighbor!

Bloat typically occurs when a dog is very active after eating. Hip dysplaysia will make a dog refrain from jumping up on things like a sofa, so I kind of doubt it's either of those ailments and thats a good thing. Check around the gums to see if they are pink or white (white can indicate infection) and require a vet sooner than later, check it's stool to see if it's normal, a runny stool can indicate a tummy issue or that it might have eatten something it shouldn't and it's having a reaction, dehydration would be the biggest concern. Either way a vet is needed sooner than later as well. It could be any one of several things, gas, a reaction to something or even a bug, or it could be that the dog is just anxious and missing it's family. Is the dog eatting and drinking? Vomiting?

She needs to let the Vet know the whole story, they've been out of town and the dog hasn't been monitored per say but it's been solitary and protective of it's abdomen.

I'm sure you'll agree that she needs to put the dog on a better food and get it's weight down. X-Rays can help the Vet determine if HD is in the dogs future. A lot of people don't want the expense of the better foods, but they actually come out cheaper in the long run because they have no fillers . The dog will fill up on smaller portions and end up eatting less. HD is very painful and as the dog's care taker, your neighbor needs to understand just how badly her lack of care now will come back to haunt the poor dog later. Sadly, it's the dog that will suffer. Lab's are also prone to weight gain and to keep our lab's weight down, I alternate between Canidae Weight Management and Taste of the Wild. Both are good healthy foods with low KCals. A dog in a German Shepards 65-80 lbs weight category should only be eatting about 3cups of the higher quality kibble a day. 1/2 in the am and 1/2 in the pm.

I hate to say this, having kids is hard I know but if she can't care for the dog properly its the dog that suffers so maybe other arrangements for the dog should be a consideration.

Thank you for your wisdom. If it were up to P, they would have just one dog, the Chihuahua mix that is very easy care, but DH wanted a man's dog, which is fine, until he travels to Nigeria and all points in between, she is in charge of everything then. I'll ck the gums. I hinted about the food and his fatness b4, even sent her link to that website that sends recall alerts. I am satisfied with amount of unsolicited advice I've bestowed. Rest is up to the family. I will ck the gums for sure. Those little girls love love love the dogs so sadness is probably a component.

Checked on Max this morning and his gums are nice and pink. He didn't seem as lethargic as yesterday. I feel a little better and she said no to me taking him to vet (but i think it can wait plus maybe she doesn't have $$, IDK). Poor Max, he must be sad w/o the girls. They play endlessly after school and all summer. Their gleeful laughs and barks are music to my ears.

Maybe he's just depressed that is family is gone and he'll perk up after they return? Hope so! You're a good neighbor to have around!

Glad he's doing better Bossy, Vets are costly so I can understand, but if his gums are pink and he's getting his energy back that's a good sign. When we went to California last year, we housed our lab at a day care / boarding facility she's been going weekly to her whole life and she still got depressed and sickly acting. Changes in routine can be really hard for them.

(Hope my previous wasn't too much or that it came across offensively, not the intent at all)

ETA: If the dog still needs a vet when they return and it's cost prohibitive, there are online Vet sites that can at least give some indication of what may be going on, if something can easily help it at home or if a Vet visit is absolutely necessary...I think they may charge small fee.

No worries Lukki, you offered good advice. My only challenge is to convince P to put Max on a diet asap

OT. DH's office is on the 2nd floor. Our schnauzer goes up there every single day and keeps him company. He is DH's shadow. When DH travels, which he does often, the schnauzer is absolutely heartbroken. He goes upstairs 4-5 times a day, looking for DH, just in case he "overlooked him". I feel so bad for him and constantly tell him "daddy is coming back, don't you worry". Even though we have a very good sitter, I can't even bear to think how much harder it is on him when both of us are away, sigh.

i posted this several times but once more won't hurt. The dog whisperer guy on TV says that to treat separation anxiety, you tell your dog you are leaving and the time you will be back. Then, upon returning, you tell him "see? I'm back!" I always say that and I truly feel like my doggies are a little calmer for it. I could be deluding myself, IDK, but I will continue to give them whatever reassurance I can. I love them so.

Thanks Bossy. That is so sweet, I bet he does understand.

Our Lab love's car rides and we enjoy taking her with us whenever we can. It's like she understands our banter about going and is always the first one at the door. When it's not possible to take her, I'll say, "Oh Ellie, you have to wait here today". And as if she truly understands, the sad eyes appear, she'll hang her head low and will slowly walk back to her bed as if she's been shunned. It's absolutely heart breaking!

I know it gives me great comfort to have 2 dogs so they always have their buddy with them, weather at home or boarding.

>And as if she truly understands, the sad eyes appear, she'll hang her head low and will slowly walk back to her bed as if she's been shunned<

They have about the same ability to learn and retain words as a 3 year old child. Otherwise what they hear when we talk is probably like the wha wha voices of adults in the old Peanuts TV shows. Apparently your dog has noticed that you disappear every time you make those same sounds and gestures, is in effect therefore comprehending what you are saying.

Embo, my pooches are little Einsteins....

Mimi, I've always had my animals in pairs, this is the first time I haven't. Now that Ellie's trained I've been ready for another lab puppy for quite some time but my DH has dug his feet in with objection. :c(

Embothrium, she's scary smart so that makes complete sense, guess we'll have to start talking in code!

I sure do wish we could hear her thoughts because sometimes she gives us the strangest looks! LOL

any time i am leaving and the dogs can't go with me, i always just tell them "you have to stay here, i'll be right back" and they just stay in bed. now, if i'm getting ready (brushing my hair, putting my shoes on, reaching for my hoodie) and i DON'T say those words, the dogs are all jumping and spinning in circles because they just know they will get to go, too. i swear, they are mind readers!!

Your friend might do well to do an internet search on health effects of Beneful.

That's an idea. I'll beg her to read on beneful.