An old friend of mine posted this on her facebook page today:
Need advice here !!! I'm at wit's end so am asking for input from my dog-lover friends... even our vet is baffled... my Boxer, Daisy, has lost over 18 lbs in the last few months, and spends her day moping around the house. It began with her throwing up now and then, and being picky about what she ate. But, almost $400 in lab tests show everything is okay with the exception of a slightly elevated cancer level (she's had cancer removed in the past) and a slightly elevated white blood count, but not significant enough to indicate anything serious. She still refuses to eat -- I've tried everything -- fresh cooked chicken, beef, fish, brown/white rice, sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, plain yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, even cream of wheat. Nothing interests her. The vet started her on steroids 2 days ago, and in the past when one of our dogs have been on steroids their appetite has been insatiable -- not with her -- she looks at the food and walks away.... if ANYONE has any suggestions on what I can do to get this dog to eat, please let me know, ASAP.......
Any ideas or suggestions - IBD? infection? parasite?
Traci, everybody - can you help with a friend's dog?
Traci, everybody - can you help with a friend's dog?
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: Traci, everybody - can you help with a friend's dog?
Was a urinalysis done? Was an ultrasound done? Was a heart workup done? Was pancreatitis ruled out? Fecal done?
The pred should help, it's only been two days, give it time, but in the meantime, ask the vet for an appetite enhancer, or, pain medication (in low dose, sometimes pain medications can help with appetite, since most likely there is some pain aspect going on anyway, once the pain is addressed, the appetite should improve).
I'd strongly suggest testing for pancreatitis, check heart function, maybe treat as if pancreatitis/IBD (fluids, pred, antiemetics if still vomiting, add pain meds). Ultrasound could rule out intestinal problems (lymphoma), or inflamation, etc).
Try cooked lean hamburger, or egg and rice, or chicken and rice, all fully cooked, but if that, or nothing else is encouraging her to eat, ask the vet for I/D or G/D, both easy on the stomach - sounds like she could benefit from fluids, whether IV or sub-q, did the vet indicate she was severely dehydrated? Fluids, with an appetite stimulant might help. Otherwise, depending on how long she's gone without food, forced feeding might need to be initiated (ask the vet).
The pred should help, it's only been two days, give it time, but in the meantime, ask the vet for an appetite enhancer, or, pain medication (in low dose, sometimes pain medications can help with appetite, since most likely there is some pain aspect going on anyway, once the pain is addressed, the appetite should improve).
I'd strongly suggest testing for pancreatitis, check heart function, maybe treat as if pancreatitis/IBD (fluids, pred, antiemetics if still vomiting, add pain meds). Ultrasound could rule out intestinal problems (lymphoma), or inflamation, etc).
Try cooked lean hamburger, or egg and rice, or chicken and rice, all fully cooked, but if that, or nothing else is encouraging her to eat, ask the vet for I/D or G/D, both easy on the stomach - sounds like she could benefit from fluids, whether IV or sub-q, did the vet indicate she was severely dehydrated? Fluids, with an appetite stimulant might help. Otherwise, depending on how long she's gone without food, forced feeding might need to be initiated (ask the vet).
..........Traci