My puppy won't eat.?

Question

We recently got a new puppy, a maltepoo. He is 10 weeks old and we got her last night around 6 pm. He has not eaten since last night before 6 pm. He drinks water and has eaten 5-6 pieces of food I got out of the dish and gave to him. He has also eaten one treat (only one because I don't want to encourage the not eating). I noticed today that there are worms in his poop (roundworms) but I also believe that he has tapeworms, I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow or Tuesday whatever they have avaliable. We are feeding him Natural Choice Small Bites (it's a good dog food from pets mart). Should I be consirned or is it simply stress from the move? He plays and temperment is fine, no diarrhea or vomiting and is pooping and peeing normally.

I didn't get him directly from a breeder. My boyfriend's brother's girlfriend is a dog groomer and she got him from a lady that was busted with a puppy mill. I didn't know about the puppy mill part until today. So I have no way of contacting the breeder. Does anyone know if heart worm testing is expensive?

All I had to do is say something. He just started eating! Like when you take your car to the mechanic for a noise you hear... and the noise is magically gone! Thanks For you ansewers though!

Answer 1

It's almost certainly a combination of his new surroundings and the worms you have observed. A puppy always needs time to transition before settling into its normal feeding habits.

All puppies are born with worms. Adult dogs are fairly immune to worms. They carry eggs, though, in their bloodstream which may or may not develop into intestinal parasites.

These eggs are passed to a pup during gestation from the mother's blood. A puppy with worms will oftentimes appear to be hungry but will only eat a few bites when offered food because the food excites the worms in its gut, and their motion suppresses the appetite for a bit. As soon as the worms settle down, the puppy feels hungry again and seems interested in food. When it is offered, he really cannot eat enough to satisfy his hunger before the worms become active again. And the cycle repeats itself.

Puppies with worms are abnormally potbellied. Be sure to describe to your vet what the worms you observed looked like. Your vet will routinely check your pup's fecal matter and deworm him with the appropriate medicine. Your new puppy will be right as rain and romping around soon enough!

Answer 2

Adding in the puppy mill part was helpful. Get the dog to the vet. Costs of preventatives and tests are always cheaper than treatments. Heartworm is unlikely at his age, but you must test. They cause a slow painful death if not treated. And the sooner you catch it the better (and least expensive) the treatment. Tell the vet about his background. Get all preventatives and immunizations that the dog needs and he will live a long happy life (and it will save you a ton in the long run). He will need three sets of shots over the course of a few weeks. The vet will tell you everything.

Answer 3

You might try moistening the food with warm water or chicken broth, even drain a can of tuna in water over the kibble. Is this the same thing the breeder was feeding him? If he's pooping then something went in fairly recently. He's been through lots of changes but trust me a healthy dog wil not starve itself to death.

Answer 4

Ok so the same thing happened to my dog when we first got him. I think he was just home sick. it took about 2 days until he started to eat normally. He might just not like the food you give him. Try giving him the food he ate when he first started eating. The one that the breeders or whoever gave him to you feed him.

Answer 5

Don't worry about him, he'll eat when he is hungry. I have a beagle and he has already gone like a day and half without eating, but then other times he acts like we never feed him. I'm not an expert on dogs, but it might have something to do with the move. He has different things to see and smell now and he's to excited about that to be hungry. But believe me, he will eat when he's hungry.

Answer 6

I used to breed dogs in the UK.
Don't worry to much about the not eating ,as everyone else has pointed out it is possibly just nerves and separation anxiety from its mom.
give him plenty of love and comfort and he should come round.
The worms are a problem so see the vet A.S.A.P.
Don't give him any white bread as this also can cause worms.
When any of my pups refused to eat i`d get some food in my mouth and feed the dog that way after-all they do like to lick your face so it could go for the food as well.
good luck.

Answer 7

I'm going to say that the not eating may be stress. I'm not sure though, because of the worms. I'd suggest that you make a vet appointment just incase.

Good luck!