Tempt my dog

Fire_Fox

Mutter wrote: »

I understand the irony tandraig, but maybe you hit on something when suggesting she is working out her own diet. If only she could reach it.

Beware of probiotic yogs though when taken at same time as antibiotics.
Pro cancels the anti, which is the last thing you want. 5 Hours at the minimum between is I believe the best.

I would love to say "speak to your Vet about probiotics" But apart from say half a dozen enlightened Vets who practise natural alongside of medicinal remedies I would think "short shrift."

It will be fine. She is playful. If it were me, I would be happy with that.

There are fairly low populations of probiotic bacteria in most live yoghurts. I have recommended freeze-dried probiotic supplements after antibiotics several times on this board and so far not had my wrists slapped!

The antibiotics would certainly kill the bacteria but AFAIK the bacteria wouldn't affect the action of the bacteria. Any decent medic/ vet will know of the positive effects of probiotics after antibiotics; there are studies supporting the fact that some species can colonise the gut. They might not recommend adding in live yoghurt as that constitutes a change of diet, the animal could be allergic to dairy and there is no consistency in quality.

Wine_of_the_World

I've read about a dog that sounds similar to yours. The dog was almost staving itself to death, for no aparent reason. The owners had been to the vet many times and had tried many different foods until it got to the point the dog was in a really bad state.

Now, the dog had lots of bowls of food around the house, treats etc, but the dog refused to eat. When the behaviorist saw the dog, she said that in the dogs mentality it wanted, or thought it was, the leader of the pack. I cant remember exactly all the reason, but I think the dog saw food at his source of power, and therefore didnt want to eat away his source power, so to speak. From what I remember the dog was not a "dominet" dog or badly behaved at all.

The behavourist re-insterted the oweners as the leaders, making them do things like ingore the dog when they came home. She also made them put the ONE bowl of food down, and if the dog didtnt eat, she made them take it away, showing that the dog was not in control of the food. Soon the dog was eating as normal again.

The book I think was called "The dog wisperer". I am not saying this is what's wrong, but it does sound similar, in that your dog has stopped eating for no apparent reason.

I really hope you sort it out. My pooch is a fussy eater, but has never gone long without eating.

alleycat`

@firefox:-

I'd assume a pro-biotic would be more useful after a course of antibiotics to help repopulate the gut?

Most antibiotics that are given out (in humans) are fairly broad spectrum and do some serious collateral damage too (with regards to digestive processes).

Which is probably what you said in the first place

Fire_Fox

alleycat` wrote: »

@firefox:-

I'd assume a pro-biotic would be more useful after a course of antibiotics to help repopulate the gut?

Most antibiotics that are given out (in humans) are fairly broad spectrum and do some serious collateral damage too (with regards to digestive processes).

Which is probably what you said in the first place

The beneficial bacteria in our gut form part of our immune system and produce and help absorb key nutrients, so it's about a lot more than healthy toilet habits! If you are on antibiotics long term you would do best to take probiotics during the course as well as after; if it's just a week then a course of probiotics afterwards. I recommend freeze-dried acidophilus not those expensive little drinks, and some of my IBS/ cystitis clients have absolutely raved about the results. :cool:

lostinrates

An update fore everyone who was so helpful (so nice to have friendly advise from the pet forum, I knew we could do it!).

Dog is now eating tripe. , and it decent if not copious amounts. A very wonderful friend who is a bit of an expert in dog nutition, made up a feed balancer for me to add to the tripe so that I don't have to worry about balancing it myself ATM. So, dog is no longer losing weight, and while not gaining is stable.

She is playful and happy, and seemingly healthy...and while she is still refusing anything of her list she has been seen helping herself to other peoples suppers when she thinks no one else can see

Thanks everybody!

CFC

Im glad that dog is feeling better

For me, I had a dog who often went off his food for no reason; he was never very interested in food (unless you had a bag of crisps!). We used to bite the bullet and hand feed him cheese sandwiches after days of not eating, they went down slowly but when they don't eat, you're just pleased they've taken something!