Today we are taking Brodie to the vet to have him looked at. Last weekend we noticed that he has lost a considerable amount of weight. We can feel his ribs through his fur, and that point just north of his hips and south of his ribcage has gotten so narrow. It's one of those things where you just don't notice because you see him every day, so you're oblivious to gradual change. Now that it's been pointed out to me, though, he looks positively gaunt. He's been acting totally fine otherwise, which leads me to hypochondriate (I don't care if I made it up) that he's got a tapeworm or something similar. Scott is convinced it's because of the change in food we made a few months back, but since we are still feeding him the same amount each day, I don't see how that could make a difference. We haven't switched him to diet food or anything.
He's also shedding more than I have ever seen him (or any other dog, for that matter) shed before. I gave him a bath Monday night and afterwards took him outside to brush him (which he HATES) and succeeded in building a whole second dog out of fur I removed from him. Then later we were on the couch snuggling and every time I ran my hand down his back I would get a tumbleweed of fur. Just doesn't seem right.
Anyway, just like always, we are more concerned than Brodie is. He'll probably get his annual checkup today, too - which means shots and blood tests, so he'll be sufficiently cranky by the time we're done. We've already decided that there will be a trip made to Sheridan's this evening to get him a special treat, and to use our Royals tickets to get a free sundae!