What do you do w a recovering dog that won't eat? - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

Wish · 11-12-2012, 03:37 PM

My little Chi, Trixie, has been recovering from multiple abscesses. She was on one antibiotic for 14 days, and the puncture wound wasn't healing and another abscess had formed right near the end of that course of abs. She ended up with tubes and stitches, and the dr. switched her to a heavy duty antibiotic, despite the abscess culture coming back sterile. Her appetite during the whole thing wasn't good, but if I hand fed her she would eat just enough. 3 days in on the new antibiotic, she woke up vomiting and vomited all day. Vet gave her something for nausea and an antacid. Her appetite started to pick up two days after that, but then the next day she would eat one bite (by this time I had her on boiled chicken), and nothing else. I got sick at that point, and every day just tried to get some food in her, forgetting the antibiotic (because it was a tablet and she wouldn't eat). So here we are a week later, she hasn't been on antibiotics, she's been eating a few bites of chicken a day, and I'm at loss what to do to help her eat again. I've been giving her greek yogurt with live cultures in case the abs killed her good stomach bacteria. Today I finally force-fed her a larger amount of the yogurt.

I can call the vet, but I don't really want him putting any medicine in her again, and I'd like a second opinion on what to do to get her appetite back to normal. She used to be our little goat that would eat anything.

I've never dealt with abscesses on a dog before, so this after care has me stumped, and looking for more experienced people for help! TIA!

Lori Z · 11-12-2012, 04:37 PM

I would make a paste mix of ground turkey, nutri cal (buy it at the pet food store great for helping dogs who won't eat) yogurt and her favorite canned food, mix all together in a paste/glop mix and see if she will lick that, put it on her paws to lick off. You could try the nutri cal by itself first if you want. Good luck.

RedDogRosa · 11-12-2012, 04:54 PM

I would call your vet again to check with them. What are her abscesses from? Do they look like they are healing now? Will she let you check her temp to see if she is running a fever? If she still needs antibiotics, but she can't take them because of the nausea, there is an injectable antibiotic you can ask your vet about, called Convenia. One injection lasts 3 weeks, and it doesn't seem to make them nauseous either. Not sure if that would even be an appropriate antibiotic for her condition. Hope she is feeling better soon.

Wish · 11-14-2012, 10:13 PM

Back at the vet today due to vomiting, and a repeat of her bloodwork shows signs of a kidney infection. :-( So she is hospitalized for the rest of the week. I guess it wasn't just my caregiving skills! :-( Thanks for the suggestions.

ataro · 11-14-2012, 10:19 PM

Once she comes back, how about giving her some nutrigel or a similar formula?

RedDogRosa · 11-15-2012, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wish

Back at the vet today due to vomiting, and a repeat of her bloodwork shows signs of a kidney infection. :-( So she is hospitalized for the rest of the week. I guess it wasn't just my caregiving skills! :-( Thanks for the suggestions.

Sorry to hear this. I was wondering how she was doing after your initial post. I hope she recovers quickly.

Toby'shuman · 11-15-2012, 06:55 AM

Keeping our fingers and paws crossed she recovers soon.

When my dogs are off their food I give liver, raw eggs, (free range, organic) and honey followed by plain greek yoghurt.

Wish · 11-15-2012, 01:45 PM

Thank you all. I'm praying she recovers quickly, too, as the vet did mention the possibility of an autoimmune disorder, if treating this as a kidney infection isn't effective. :-( So keep us in your prayers!

RedDogRosa · 11-15-2012, 06:01 PM

I have a very special place in my heart for Chihuahuas, so I'll be thinking of Trixie and hoping she makes a "chihuahua-like" recovery. These little pups are tough stuff!

Hope you get her home soon!

Wish · 11-19-2012, 02:26 PM

Had to let my sweet baby go on Friday evening. She wasn't showing any improvement on the fluids, and was showing evidence of kidney failure. Her urinalysis didn't show any evidence of infection, so we were basically waiting to find out that it actually was an autoimmune disorder, and I couldn't let her suffer while waiting for a grim prognosis. I held her while they did it, so she passed peacefully and quickly. Just so devastating to have to let her go. :-( Thanks again for your suggestions and kind thoughts!

zorianak · 11-19-2012, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toby'shuman

Keeping our fingers and paws crossed she recovers soon.

When my dogs are off their food I give liver, raw eggs, (free range, organic) and honey followed by plain greek yoghurt.

If you give Organic, check its manufacturing area. Some of the imported name-brand honeys have tons of random crap in them, such as antibiotics. I always buy either organic local or look for honey that still has the comb in it. Honey should NEVER be clear.

Edit: I'm so sorry to hear about your girl

RedDogRosa · 11-19-2012, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wish

Had to let my sweet baby go on Friday evening. She wasn't showing any improvement on the fluids, and was showing evidence of kidney failure. Her urinalysis didn't show any evidence of infection, so we were basically waiting to find out that it actually was an autoimmune disorder, and I couldn't let her suffer while waiting for a grim prognosis. I held her while they did it, so she passed peacefully and quickly. Just so devastating to have to let her go. :-( Thanks again for your suggestions and kind thoughts!

Oh, no. I was really pulling for your girl. I'm sorry that you had to let her go. Thinking of you.