Mako doesn't want to eat !!! - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

dreamsongs · 12-03-2012, 09:24 AM

It started about 2 weeks ago right after he broke into our pantry and got into everything in there. Maybe it's a coincidence but that's when he started having problems...

We took him to the Vet and he took x-rays and found nothing big. He likes to chew on tennis balls but now that's gotta stop as he pooped and also threw up a chunks of rubber. This morning he threw up another chunk of tennis ball.

He has lost some weight and he smells the food and walks away. He'll take a couple of bites of whatever we give him but that's about it. He even refuses to eat ground beef which he usually loves.

Now I noticed he's getting these weird bumps on top of his head and he's getting pimple like spots around his nose and around his left eye. He has some spots around his left eye where he seems to have lost some fur.

I'm getting worried now and I hope it's not something serious. I may have to get a second opinion from another Vet...I don't like that he doesn't want to eat hardly at all...

Any thoughts as to what this may be ?

Nickie · 12-03-2012, 09:30 AM

I am not sure what it is but... I would say go back to the vet ASAP & ask them to do a blood test to make sure everything is functioning correctly.

Asmit · 12-03-2012, 09:34 AM

Go to the vet.

He could be obstructed by that tennis ball you chose to give him KNOWING that he has eaten balls before.

natdobe · 12-03-2012, 09:59 AM

Vet ASAP! Please update us after you take him. Thoughts and prayers for you and your boy.

MaxsMom · 12-03-2012, 10:06 AM

Go back to the vet. Rubber items will not show up on X-Ray. Max swallowed parts of a Kong Toy and it never showed up on X-Ray. We had to do exporatory surgery on him and there it was in the small intestines blocking all food and water.

dreamsongs · 12-03-2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxsMom

Go back to the vet. Rubber items will not show up on X-Ray. Max swallowed parts of a Kong Toy and it never showed up on X-Ray. We had to do exporatory surgery on him and there it was in the small intestines blocking all food and water.

Did they have to cut him up ?

The Vet said that the rubber would show but I'm not so sure. But even then it doesn't explain the spots around his eye...

Adara · 12-03-2012, 10:53 AM

Throwing up chunks of a tennis ball plus not eating = vet for any of my dogs, especially the Dobes who seem to like to eat crap.

falnfenix · 12-03-2012, 10:53 AM

find another vet. get the dog checked out, and STOP letting him have things he can destroy and swallow.

MaxsMom · 12-03-2012, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamsongs

Did they have to cut him up ?

The Vet said that the rubber would show but I'm not so sure. But even then it doesn't explain the spots around his eye...

Yes, I'm afraid they did have to cut him open. It was major surgery, but it saved his life.

Not sure about the spots around the eyes, but could be an allergy or reaction to the rubber in the tennis balls. Or something else that has nothing to do with not eating.

I took Max to a different Vet that had more sophisticated X-Ray equipment like 3-D imaging. I can't remember the name of the X-Ray for sure, but it showed a faint shadow on the film that the regular X-Ray did not pick up.
We did the surgery and that was where it was! Seems the cost of the X-Ray was under 180.00, but the surgery was not.

**PatchworkRobot** · 12-03-2012, 10:54 AM

Another vote to go back to the vet.

Instant Noodle · 12-03-2012, 10:56 AM

If a dog will not eat high value treats, especially treats/food you know he'll go nuts for...there's your #1 indication that there is something seriously wrong.

Please go see a vet ASAP.

dreamsongs · 12-03-2012, 11:02 AM

I will definitely not give him any more tennis balls to play with. We usually play catch and that's about it, but he later goes on to find it and starts chewing when I'm not watching him. So that's gonna end now...

His energy level hasn't been the same and he's not as energetic as he was. He obviously doesn't feel well. Not sure why he's breaking out around his nose and eye though or if that's related.

I made an appointment with another Vet at 2:45 today. They may do a ultrasound and blood work so we'll see...

falnfenix · 12-03-2012, 11:14 AM

don't let him out of your sight, and crate him when you're not able to watch him. this dog should not be allowed to get at things that will hurt him.

LindaH · 12-03-2012, 11:27 AM

Hope the new vet finds the problem and can fix it okay.

I agree that anytime a normally "hungry" dog doesn't eat, you have a problem...even missing one meal may be all the warning you get before disaster.

Please keep us updated and best wishes for Mako!!!

dreamsongs · 12-03-2012, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindaH

Hope the new vet finds the problem and can fix it okay.

I agree that anytime a normally "hungry" dog doesn't eat, you have a problem...even missing one meal may be all the warning you get before disaster.

Please keep us updated and best wishes for Mako!!!

Yes I will, thanks.

Something tells me that I'm going to be spending a lot of money at the Vet soon....

And just before XMas....but I have no choice and I just pray it's not something really serious...

**PatchworkRobot** · 12-03-2012, 11:49 AM

I really like the Orbee-Tuff and Planet Dog toys. They're durable and dogs, in my experience, love chewing on them because they're kind of "gummy," for lack of a better word. That being said, I've never seen a dog destroy one. Not even my dog, who loves these balls and loves destroying stuff.

You might consider something like that.

dreamsongs · 12-03-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatchworkRobot

I really like the Orbee-Tuff and Planet Dog toys. They're durable and dogs, in my experience, love chewing on them because they're kind of "gummy," for lack of a better word. That being said, I've never seen a dog destroy one. Not even my dog, who loves these balls and loves destroying stuff.

You might consider something like that.

I may not have any more money to buy anything after the Vet is done with this...

Bad timing as I have two kids and xmas is coming...

zorianak · 12-03-2012, 12:13 PM

Dogs are almost always most expensive early in life and then late in life. That's why I went nuts to make sure I had all credit cards paid off, a new job promotion on the way, and a savings account before bringing Jaina home. I don't have a savings account anymore for various reasons (my cat, long story) but she has her own credit card account in the case something goes wrong. Of course, that's not helpful to you... I'm just saying that - sadly - it is what it is with puppies.

It sounds to me that he has an obstruction. You MUST get him into surgery ASAP - if his intestines are blocked and aren't receiving blood/water, they can begin to die, and then there's no saving him at that point. It's the sad truth

I hate to scare you that way, but he really ought to have been at the vet by now

Instant Noodle · 12-03-2012, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zorianak

Dogs are almost always most expensive early in life and then late in life. That's why I went nuts to make sure I had all credit cards paid off, a new job promotion on the way, and a savings account before bringing Jaina home. I don't have a savings account anymore for various reasons (my cat, long story) but she has her own credit card account in the case something goes wrong. Of course, that's not helpful to you... I'm just saying that - sadly - it is what it is with puppies.

The hubby is going into surgery on Wednesday, and the surgery coordinator told us that Credit Care is also a payment option that vets may accept as well. It was just good to know that there are interest free payment options available out there.

LindaH · 12-03-2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamsongs

I may not have any more money to buy anything after the Vet is done with this...

Bad timing as I have two kids and xmas is coming...

Yeah...I know what you mean. Seems my emergencies always happen right before Christmas, too. Been that way for years!!! I just dropped some $$$ on Parker a couple of weeks ago that wasn't planned for either. But I don't have kids, that is another whole can of worms. I'm sorry you are having this happen.

LindaH · 12-03-2012, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Instant Noodle

The hubby is going into surgery on Wednesday, and the surgery coordinator told us that Credit Care is also a payment option that vets may accept as well. It was just good to know that there are interest free payment options available out there.

I didn't think Credit Care was interest free??? As a matter of a fact, I thought I heard they started charging interest as soon as you took out the loan or something like that.

Sorry, didn't read this before I responded above.

dreamsongs · 12-03-2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindaH

I didn't think Credit Care was interest free??? As a matter of a fact, I thought I heard they started charging interest as soon as you took out the loan or something like that.

Sorry, didn't read this before I responded above.

I wish there was a way to pay for this in case he needs surgery but I hope he doesn't need it. My credit cards are pretty high already.

I was going to get doggy medical insurance a couple of months ago but I waited too long and now this...

LindaH · 12-03-2012, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamsongs

I wish there was a way to pay for this in case he needs surgery but I hope he doesn't need it. My credit cards are pretty high already.

I was going to get doggy medical insurance a couple of months ago but I waited too long and now this...

Yeah, it sucks, but you really don't know what is wrong yet. Be prepared, but don't despair yet.

**Jhagman** · 12-03-2012, 12:45 PM

Surgery, better vet care NOW! I lost my Loki because I got bad vet care advice, he was getting meds and X rays instead of surgery.

If you read my thread Oct/Nov about my Dexter, you'd have read similar symptoms, and this time I had better vets. Surgery found an exploded intestine and infection from bile leaking into his body. Another two hours without the surgery and he would have died.

3 feet of intestine removed, and a tons of IV antibiotics and fluids. He lost 20 lbs, but once we made it thru the fist 48 hours, he was so much better. (I had to transport him to the 24 hour pet hospital for 2 nights there, and regular vet during the day to keep the IVs going for 48 hours.) He came home on day 3 and was like a new dog by day 7.

Bottom line: these dogs eat stupid things (Dexter's case: sock and uneaten Tbone joint). Now I am going to be especially careful about tennis balls.

I think your dobe has the same thing going on and emergency surgery is needed. I hope you got it...hope he's ok.

dkkimmel · 12-03-2012, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dreamsongs

I wish there was a way to pay for this in case he needs surgery but I hope he doesn't need it. My credit cards are pretty high already.

I was going to get doggy medical insurance a couple of months ago but I waited too long and now this...

Care Credit does have interest free depending on the amount depends on how long they give you to pay it off. You can apply for it online right now if you want at Carecredit.com. I had to use for my dogs surgery a few years back $6000.00 interest free. I actually just used it at my dentist also. Good luck to Maco hope nothing serious.