This is a long story cut short. My boss's five pound chihuahua/dachshund cross got it's jaw fractured by their other dog. It's a closed fracture towards the back of the mouth. The vet said stabilize it with a soft muzzle until 7 am. The question is: How frequently do I need to be feeding him? He can't chew so I have to mush his food and I'm not sure how often I should offer him the mush.
(this is temporary until the clinic is open. I would be rushing him to the vet NOW, however I don't have a vehicle and the nearest open one is 2 1/2 hours away.)
2007-10-22 17:58:39 · 4 answers · asked by Scelestus Unus 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
He's been drinking a tiny bit but mostly he just follows me around looking sad. The vet said he was going to have to be on mush after it's fixed but I won't be the one going and my boss won't remember to ask him the important questions.
2007-10-22 18:11:20 · update #1
Would Pedialyte help keep him stable? I've never owned a dog who has been injured like this. I'm a worry wort so I'm in deep trouble until he gets in to the vet.
2007-10-22 18:14:33 · update #2
I'm not worried about the vet not giving the information I'm worried about my boss not passing it on to me. He's not what you'd call a responsible owner. In fact he treats animals like they are toys. He pays attention when he feels like it and when he doesn't he puts them back on the shelf.
2007-10-22 18:20:14 · update #3
I wouldn't try to feed him,as he could choke.I'd just rub some Karo syrup on his gums to keep his blood sugar up,and put very small amounts of broth and water into the side of his mouth with a syringe or eyedropper.
Edit: While the jaw is healing,I would feed him three or four times a day.I would use baby food meats and vegatables,add a bit of broth to thin it,and he may be able to lap it up.You can also feed him Dogsure,which is Ensure for dogs,or even puppy milk replacer as a supplement.
2007-10-22 18:09:15 · answer #1 · answered by Dances With Woofs! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
do not feed him anything until that jaw is fixed! you could end up doing more harm and causing the dog more pain. as far as follow up care, your vet will go over diet recommendations and how and when to feed a liquid diet.
add- ah i see. one of those people. could you pick up doggy from the vets office and talk to them yourself? that might be your best option with instructions although most vets will have instructions written down for you. especially with something as serious as a broken jaw.
2007-10-23 01:17:29 · answer #2 · answered by bob © 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dogs dont need food every day they can survive with out food for a few days so I probably wouldn't feed him till you know what the vet recomends but he does need water so try and get some fluids into him at least
2007-10-23 01:07:20 · answer #3 · answered by amy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Feed him twice a day about 1/2 of what he normally eats each time. Pulverize or blend the soft/can food with a little water so its easy for him to swallow it.
2007-10-23 01:10:19 · answer #4 · answered by lisamisc 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋