Old dog won't eat

sheramber

I I had one the same. She could eat  what it was surrounded by and then spit out the tablet. The secret was quick delivery. Cut up several pieces of whatever you are using. Lay them out where he can see them. Give him one or two clean ones by offering the second one as he is eating the first  As soon as he  is eating the second deliver one with the tablet in and then immediately offer a clean one.,  and then another clean one.  

mad_spaniel

I've been back to the vets again today. Dog hasn't eaten anything other than the sausage I hid the antibiotics in over the weekend. He turned his nose up at dry food after initially eating it so I went out and got wet food for kidney failure. He completely refused that too. I weighed the dog at the vets today on arrival. He's lost 5kg over a week so that's not good news. The vet did another blood test to check kidney output whilst I was there and see if it had improved. It hasn't, so they're keeping him in today with an IV solution to try and flush the kidneys again. Pick up at 6.30  and I may have to go back again tomorrow depends if kidneys improve and they can get him to eat. The vet said if they can't get the kidneys improved and him eating again, we should consider 'quality of life' which would be a very sad end.

donnac2558

Fingers crossed your dog picks up.   But if not the kindest thing is to let him go free from pain.

onwards&upwards

donnac2558 said:

Fingers crossed your dog picks up.   But if not the kindest thing is to let him go free from pain.

OP doesn't need to be thinking about this just yet, the dog is only 12 and is receiving treatment. 

Hope for a good result OP, I'll be crossing my fingers, and make your decisions based on what the vets say.

sheramber

I lost an old dog in the same circumstances in August .He  was normal all day on Monday but refused his dinner , again Tuesday he refused to eat and I contacted vet who advised give him another 24 hours. Wednesday I phoned th vet and made an appointment. The vet knew him and remarked how good he was for a 141/2 year old dog. He was still lively and alert, just wouldn't eat. he got an anti nausea injection and as a parting shot the vet commented that I could   get a blood test done if I wanted. I agreed to this and she phoned me at 6.30 pm to advise his kidneys were in a very bad way.
He was prescribed special kidney food and tablets but he would not eat. Giving him the tablets was unpleasant as he would not eat anything so they had to forced down his throat.
Friday he was getting confused about where he was and why and the vet mentioned they could give himIV fluids to see if it helped. But that is a temporary measure.
He was due that on Saturday but on Friday evening he was so confused I decided it was not fair to him to go on and it was time to let him go. 
H e went quietly and peacefully  with our love. 

  

elsien

mad_spaniel said:

I've been back to the vets again today. Dog hasn't eaten anything other than the sausage I hid the antibiotics in over the weekend. He turned his nose up at dry food after initially eating it so I went out and got wet food for kidney failure. He completely refused that too. I weighed the dog at the vets today on arrival. He's lost 5kg over a week so that's not good news. The vet did another blood test to check kidney output whilst I was there and see if it had improved. It hasn't, so they're keeping him in today with an IV solution to try and flush the kidneys again. Pick up at 6.30  and I may have to go back again tomorrow depends if kidneys improve and they can get him to eat. The vet said if they can't get the kidneys improved and him eating again, we should consider 'quality of life' which would be a very sad end.

My last disliked the kidney food; it was a !!!!!! trying to get anything down her. Would he be allowed eggs or white fish - they tend to go down reasonably well once any infections have stopped affecting the appetite quite so much. The problem is sometimes that they start to associate eating with being sick so don't want to risk it.
Hope he does start to improve. 

mad_spaniel

Picked the dog up at 6.45. He looked quite bright. Vet has had him all day  on an IV to help flush the kidneys again. He's going back again tomorrow in a last ditch attempt to help with  the kidney problem. The vet managed to get a small amount of food down him but at home he's not interested. They've given an injection to prevent nausea . If he doesn't pick up tomorrow and eat something properly the vet is likely to suggest I put him to sleep. He's not interested at all now in the special kidney diet both hard and soft food so I'm pretty gloomy .

onwards&upwards

Any interest in fresh chicken or cheese?

If he won't eat, just enjoy your evening with him and take it one day at a time. 

hb2

OP, I know how terribly hard it is when our beloved companions become ill like this. I hope you can enjoy your evening with your dog and try not to worry about what tomorrow will bring. Your dogs knows only 'OK' and 'not OK', he won't be worrying about tomorrow (((hugs)))

RelievedSheff

Big hugs and hopefully he is feeling better today.

Try to get him to eat anything. Anything is better than nothing. Some scrambled egg perhaps or mashed sweet potato.