Dog won't eat

Rain · Post by **Rain** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 12:30 pm

I just had to put down one of my dogs. Now the other one hasn't eaten or drank in 4 days. Therefore, she hasn't "gone potty" in 4 days either. I'm worried that her organs will shut down. What can we do??

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 12:32 pm

Get her to the vets pronto, she needs fluids.

Sorry to hear about your other dog, that's sad. :-1

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 12:34 pm

Yes, take her to the vet today. I am sorry about your other doggie.:-1

Rain · Post by **Rain** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 12:39 pm

Ok, I waited for a few responses. Seems like she may be in trouble as well as mourning. Thanx.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 12:47 pm

Rain;545202 wrote: Ok, I waited for a few responses. Seems like she may be in trouble as well as mourning. Thanx.

She may indeed be mourning.

Clip's got the right idea, although I use chicken breast since it's

"white" meat, and add a little cottage cheese to that. You might

be able to "tempt" her with her favorite food if the chick/rice mix

doesn't work. Anything she REALLY loves but doesn't get very often?

Don't give her too much of any one thing but if you can "jump

start" her appetite, it might help.

A healthy dog can go 48 hours or so without much problem. Dogs

are often fasted before surgery and do just fine. Four days

is a bit much if you're sure she hasn't had anything.

I'm so sorry about your other dog. Please let us know what happens.

((hugs))

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 12:54 pm

Just thought of something... do you have any boullion around the

house? Make up some of that, let it cool and see if your dog will

drink some. It's salty but again, it will tempt and maybe at least

start the process off.

The other thing that you might try is Pedialyte or similar product.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 1:20 pm

She is in mourning. :-1 But she needs fluids now. The special menu should work its the liquids that I'm concerned about.

So very sad you had to put down your dog..

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 1:51 pm

I'm sorry Rain that you lost your dog and now this is happening. I send out two prayers, one for your angel dog and one for your lonesome one. :-4

LilacDragon · Post by **LilacDragon** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 2:40 pm

It could well be mourning, but then I don't know why your other dog was put to sleep.

While the rice and chicken (and everything else) suggested above are wonderful things - personally, after 4 days, I would go to the vet first. Like right now. Especially if your other dog was ill.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 2:55 pm

VERY good point, LD. I don't know why but I was thinking the other

dog was just old age.

I can only hope that because she hasn't checked back in, maybe

she's already gone to the vets.

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 3:16 pm

Rain

My very best to you and your pooch

PLEASE stop in to give us an update :-6

We care :-4

LilacDragon · Post by **LilacDragon** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 3:27 pm

valerie;545306 wrote: VERY good point, LD. I don't know why but I was thinking the other

dog was just old age.

I can only hope that because she hasn't checked back in, maybe

she's already gone to the vets.

I have a friend with a VERY sick puppy right now, so that was my first thought. If that wasn't the case, then I probably wouldn't have thought of it either.

Rain · Post by **Rain** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 3:56 pm

Thanx folks

My other dog had roped intestine and it just never got better, even with meds. She was in pain, so....

My husband and I thought that maybe this dog was smelling the scent of her buddy in the food bucket, so I went out and bought her a brand new one. We threw out the old bucket. I put fresh food in the new bowl and stood over her. She smelled it and timidly ate a few kibbles. She went around to the (shared) water bucket, started to put her nose in, then smelled the rim... looked up at me, and when I said "OK, drink", she did. So... she's at a beginning point. Maybe all of our positive thoughts are working?? Here's hoping. And thanx for all of the suggestions.

This has been hard for all of us, but I never knew that dogs grieved! This is new to me. It seems we're all kind of fouled up. Unbalanced. Even the cat is freaking out. sighing

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 4:23 pm

Rain;545411 wrote: Thanx folks

My other dog had roped intestine and it just never got better, even with meds. She was in pain, so....

My husband and I thought that maybe this dog was smelling the scent of her buddy in the food bucket, so I went out and bought her a brand new one. We threw out the old bucket. I put fresh food in the new bowl and stood over her. She smelled it and timidly ate a few kibbles. She went around to the (shared) water bucket, started to put her nose in, then smelled the rim... looked up at me, and when I said "OK, drink", she did. So... she's at a beginning point. Maybe all of our positive thoughts are working?? Here's hoping. And thanx for all of the suggestions.

This has been hard for all of us, but I never knew that dogs grieved! This is new to me. It seems we're all kind of fouled up. Unbalanced. Even the cat is freaking out. sighingHow sad. :-1

When Raspberry's (my dog) mum passed on, she pined terribly and she'd go looking for her when we went on our walks, i had to change our routine because it was heartbreaking to watch her.

Hope your doggie gets better Rain x

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 5:35 pm

She misses her buddy the grieve just like we do so just be with her and help her through this tough time. :-1 Dog know when something is wrong she know what has happened and is sad.

Glad to hear she ate a bit and drank so water.. push the water very important. Keep us posted please.

crazygal · Post by **crazygal** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 6:43 pm

Aww bless the dog, of course they grieve, most animals do, even rats! I had one loose his brother and his fur fell out from depression. It grew back eventually when I got him two more friends but it took over a year.

I hope your dog is OK. Needs LOTS of cuddles and fuss.

Rain · Post by **Rain** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 2:31 pm

I'm wondering if maybe she's started to play a game with us. I noticed that she's Very willing to eat any food we give In The House! I was cutting some brick cheese last night and I threw her some pieces and she ate them up! Hhhmmm. Maybe she Only wants Ppl food?? She did drink more water yesterday and peed on our garage floor. I'd forgotten to open the back door :-2

So... this could be good news. She's pulling out of losing her friend? Hoping so.

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 2:33 pm

Me, too!!

Thanks for the report!!

:-6

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 2:39 pm

Great news Rain. :-6

crazygal · Post by **crazygal** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 2:55 pm

Great news, you usually feed her outside then?

Rain · Post by **Rain** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 3:07 pm

Yes. She and the other dog were outside dogs. This entire thing has rocked her world. We've brought her in so she wouldn't be alone. We're thinking she just doesn't understand everything. She likes being in, but the whole eating thing is a strain.

crazygal · Post by **crazygal** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 3:10 pm

Oh poor thing, I bet she'll be OK being indoors. I couldn't imagine having my cat or dog outside, other than for walks and the toilet of course.

Rain · Post by **Rain** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 3:14 pm

My cats are always inside/outside cats. My dogs are always outside dogs. They have room to run, dig, chase, play, whatever.

crazygal · Post by **crazygal** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 3:15 pm

Yeah I guess it depends on where you are from.

Rain · Post by **Rain** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 3:17 pm

And how big the dog is? lol

crazygal · Post by **crazygal** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 3:23 pm

Yeah didn't think of that. Sleeps outside too then?

Red · Post by **Red** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 3:32 pm

sounds like she's on the mend rain bless her doggy cottons

crazygal · Post by **crazygal** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:05 pm

That's going a little too far putting socks on your dog now, come on. :wah:

Red · Post by **Red** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:10 pm

crazygal;546665 wrote: That's going a little too far putting socks on your dog now, come on. :wah:

well you have to have the socks to match the juicy couture doggy tracksuit though surely....

crazygal · Post by **crazygal** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:12 pm

Na, that gives my cat cheesy feet, he just wears a scarf and hat.

Red · Post by **Red** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:14 pm

crazygal;546677 wrote: Na, that gives my cat cheesy feet, he just wears a scarf and hat.

:wah: oh i just got such a good pic of that in my head

crazygal · Post by **crazygal** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 4:17 pm

Ooh I'll post one the next time it snows.

Rain · Post by **Rain** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 6:04 pm

She seems to be getting better. It's hard to have an inside dog. Neither one of us knows how to house train her. We keep putting her outside to do her duties, but she doesn't understand either and just sits on the back porch wanting to get back inside. Plodding along

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 6:11 pm

A tip: dogs generally have to go about 30 minutes after they have eaten. If you get her started on that part maybe she'll learn to go outside all the time.

Take her to the place where she usually goes and say "Poop!" or "Potty" or some special word only used then and praise her when she goes.

I know Lilac Dragon and Valerie will probably have some better tips for housetraining. They have a lot of dog experience.

crazygal · Post by **crazygal** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:20 am

I'd take mine to a trainer but am too selfish for a dog, out in all weathers to walk them, I'll stick with cats, can just kick them out to go on their own.

LilacDragon · Post by **LilacDragon** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 5:19 am

RedGlitter;549339 wrote: A tip: dogs generally have to go about 30 minutes after they have eaten. If you get her started on that part maybe she'll learn to go outside all the time.

Take her to the place where she usually goes and say "Poop!" or "Potty" or some special word only used then and praise her when she goes.

I know Lilac Dragon and Valerie will probably have some better tips for housetraining. They have a lot of dog experience.

LOL!!

I don't believe in outside dogs, so I am not sure how to retrain an older dog.

So - try this - take her out, on a leash, to an area that she has not used to play, dig or do whatever else it was she did outside. Walk her around a bit (probably 10 minutes or so) and when she does go - throw a mini party telling her just how wonderful she is! If she doesn't go, bring her in, wait 15 minutes or so and take her out again.

Keep a close eye on her in the house. If she starts getting restless, sniffing around, etc. ask her (in an excited voice) if she wants to go out. Snap on that leash and do the above. Remember LOTS of praise for going outside - NO punishment for going inside. IF you catch her going in the house, use that excited voice and ask her if she wants to go out - and hurry up and take her out.

Try to remember that this is a whole new world to her and she has no idea what you want her to do. Much like a toddler, she is learning but she doesn't understand your language.

Rain · Post by **Rain** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:29 pm

She is well trained and is hardly ever on a leash. She knows the rules and who is Alpha in this pack. I do watch her and recognize the sniffing thing. So far, we're doing pretty well. I put her in the garage when I go to bed, and when hubby gets home 3:30AM, he puts her outside while he's in the shower, then let's her back into the garage for sleep. I get up about 10Am and let her back outside. So far so good.

Thanx for the suggestions

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:34 pm

I am so glad your lovely animal is doing better, Rain -- Buster is a mighty pleased little boy to hear that

And me too :p

crazygal · Post by **crazygal** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:47 pm

Sleeps in the garage? You meany!

Here as far as I know nobody has their dog sleep anywhere other than in the house. My cat sleeps on my bed. If I had a dog they would too as I'm soppy like that.

Pets are part of the family. I won't go so far though as to have my fish in the bed with me. :-3