6 month old GSD bump on cheek, bad breath, underweight && breaths heavy

by Kimbo
(SLC, Ut)

I just brought home a new GSD puppy, Omni.
First I noticed he is underweight for 6 months @ only 35 lbs. but he is gaining weight now:)

Second is his breathing... (He was being kept outside, kenneled in 15'-40' weather in the Uintah Mountains... I live in the city so it's warmer here at 30'-50') anyways. I keep him and my GSD mix indoors @appx 72' but let them out frequently during the day to eliminate and to play. Well idk if it is because he was raised in a colder climate or if he has something medically wrong but when he is indoors and only when he is resting does he breathe very heavy, he is not asleep.. But just lying down resting. I can hear and see his throat pulse and make an odd clicking noise.. He pants like he just got done running.

Third, he has a lump on the side of his face right on his "cheek" below his eye somewhat.. I've pushed slightly on this lump to see if it is painful for him if touched but he doesn't acknowledge the pressure.. He suffers from bad breath too so idk if that's all in conjunction with the lump. He has all his adult teeth and no teeth seem to be stuck or growing weird... So I'm definitely stumped.

I was informed he has had all his shots except for rabies and have an appointment to see a vet for all the above issues but I wanted to just get a feel for what might be wrong. I love my lil man and just want him to be okay:(








Hi Kimbo
I'm afraid I'm not a veterinarian so anything I say here is really just guesswork and it's definitely important for you to have a veterinarian examine your pup thoroughly so that you can find out if he has any underlying health issues that need treatment.

If he's been kept outdoors and perhaps not fed well that could cause him to be underweight, or he could have worms or some other issue. If he's gaining weight now though hopefully it's just that he's not been getting the nutrition he needed.

The heavy/fast breathing could be just stress, or the fact that he's a bit warm being indoors (however he will adjust and it's much better for him to live indoors with you than outside). Of course he could have some other kind of problem.. possibly with his esophagus or trachea, but only your vet can make a diagnosis over something like that.

The lump and bad breath might indicate an abcess or infection, perhaps in his gum or sinuses, again only your vet can make a diagnosis.

It sounds as though this little guy has had a rough start and I'm glad that he's found a loving home now where he will be taken care of. Hopefully none of these problems will be anything other than minor, and your vet will be able to clear them up quickly.

I wish you the best of luck with him.