How can i get my dog to eat. he is a very good hunter and is usually quite energetic. after we got back from a vacation he was very very sick and the Vet. can't find anything wrong with him. he doesn't drink either. he is extremely sluggish (unlike his normal self) he is about 5-6 years old....
does anybody have remedies or some tips for me?!?!?
2006-09-27 15:17:47 · 22 answers · asked by X3HeartX3 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Well, since you said the vet can't find anything wrong , I would take him to another vet. In the meantime, you might try giving him some boiled chicken.
As a side note, I went on a short vacation many years ago and had to board my dog for four days. She was quite upset when we got back, and didn't want to eat or even want to play with her tennis ball. In few days, she was back to normal, so maybe she's just sulking like my dog was. Since that incident, I have never boarded a dog again and either take my dog with me, or get someone to house-sit and take care of my dog.
2006-09-27 16:22:47 · answer #1 · answered by HDB 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do not force feed the dog anything. If he's not eating or drinking, he is extremely sick. Like the others have said, take him to another vet immediately. You didn't say where you were on vacation, but you mention he is a good hunter. Have you been in the woods? Lyme disease isn't easy to diagnose in animals or humans because the flu-like symptoms resemble so many others, but if he picked up those ticks, its a definite possibility.
Every time I read these questions where a vet has so completely dropped the ball, I'm so disapointed. But there are good ones out there--ask around--find out which ones people drive miles to take their animals to. Our two local vets are total incompetents, can't read X-rays, don't even suggest appropriate tests, and have misdiagnosed so often one is nicknamed Dr. Kervorkian. It would be funny if the animals weren't the ones to pay the price. That said, a lot of people will have a sick animal put to sleep rather than spend money for tests or XRays.
So find another vet, and good luck to you.
2006-09-27 15:33:54 · answer #2 · answered by Charlotte M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try lightly sprinkling his food with garlic powder. A lot of dogs like the taste and eat more of their food.
However, it does sound like there's an underlying problem that hasn't been identifed yet. Has the vet done an X-ray for a possible stomach or abdominal tumor yet? If not, that's one thing that needs to be checked out.
Edit: the person who mentioned changing vets has a good point. Your regular vet may be very competent, but sometimes another vet will spot something or know more about a problem than the first one.
Second opinions are a good idea sometimes for humans and dogs alike.
2006-09-27 15:22:04 · answer #3 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Dog Wont Eat Anything
2016-11-13 05:51:05 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your dog got into something like a toad or mushrooms, not all things that smell and taste good to a dog are safe. was the dog with you on vacation? how far from home did you go? sometimes things like different water even jet lag will mess with a dog. If I knew a little more about the event, I might be able to help a little more. Did you leave you dog at home or with a friend? one thing for sure...If you dog isn't drinking, you should get water down him even if you need to use a dropper or??
2006-09-27 15:36:26 · answer #5 · answered by dhwilson58 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're saying you guys went on vacation and when you came back the dog seemed sick and sluggish. I know why this happens, he was missing you guys A LOT.
Animals can get into a realy ugly depression, defenses literally drop and they fall sick easily as if they think they are being abandoned or alone for too long... it's very sad. I almost lose mine because of that, after I came back he recovered like a miracle, give him lots of love, company and patience... if you do this your dog will improve and get back to normal within a few days, let him know you guys are there for him.
2006-09-27 15:28:20 · answer #6 · answered by Nia24 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make him eat and drink. Keep him going until the vet figures out what is wrong. Get a second opinion if your vet does not know.
Get some puppy replacment milk (or, blend 3 egg yolks, 2 cups WHOLE milk, 1 can EVAPORATED milk, 3 heaping tablespoons sugar if you can't get puppy milk). Warm it to "blood temp" to make it appealing. Remember, it has raw eggs. Keep it in the fridge. Try to get him to lap it up. If he will, try to tempt him with any healthy food that he likes, warmed up to make it appealing. Try rubbing some formula and/or soft food on his gums and lips if he does not go for it right away.
If he will not lap it up: if he is small, get a syringe (no needle) or eye dropper, if he's big, maybe a turkey baster. Try to get him to suck it out of the dropper (side of the mouth works better) If he won't suck, press on the hinges of the jaw to open his mouth and get it down his throat. Slowly, though, make sure he is capable of swallowing and you don't want to choke him. Feed him in proportion to his size. Remember dogs are smaller and have smaller stomach than we do.
Get some Pedialyte into him the same way if he's dehydrated. To check an animal for dehydration: gently pinch up the skin on the scruff of the neck. If it snaps back, he is well hydrated. If it goes back in under one second, get liquid into him. If it stand up on it's own, take him to the vet immediately. He is in serious danger. Warm the Pedialyte and formula like you would for a baby.
If you get these things into him and he vomits (assuming you fed him slowly and in proportion to his size) take him to a vet again. Maybe a different vet. That response can mean bowel obstruction. But also, look at the vomit. See if there is anything odd in it.
If there is blood in the feces or vomit, assuming he does either, VET!!
If he becomes aggressive, be careful. An animal in pain can be aggressive simply because they hurt and don't know why.
Keep him warm and quiet, in a dimly lit place. Reassure him, check on him often. Find a new vet.
A few things come to mind: rabies, bowel obstruction, poisoning.
One: is he current on his rabies vaccinations?
Two: has he had a recent bowel movement? What did it look like if he did?
You say he is a hunter....what does he hunt? Does he eat his kills? Did he go anywhere unsupervised on your vacation? Did he eat anything you didn't give to him yourself? Even if someone (say, a stranger, handed it to him)
2006-09-27 15:44:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Boil some boneless skinless chicken breasts and add some white rice. Cook it about 30-45 minutes. Then shred the chicken. Get it to room temp and give him a bowl of it. They can't turn up their noses to that. My dog, who is sickly, will eat that when she can't eat anything else. It is easy to make. If that doesn't work, get him to a new vet.
2006-09-27 15:33:05 · answer #8 · answered by Daphne 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look on the inside of your dogs ears and see if they are pink like normal or white and grayish. Check the gums the same way. If they are not normal then take the dog to a different vet and have them do a blood count. They can go from there. It can show signs of pain or blood loss.
2006-09-27 19:24:24 · answer #9 · answered by EMW 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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How can i get my dog to eat. he is a very good hunter and is usually quite energetic. after we got back from a vacation he was very very sick and the Vet. can't find anything wrong with him. he doesn't drink either. he is extremely sluggish (unlike his normal self) he is about 5-6 years...
2015-08-06 14:04:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋