My dog's not eating

[TexasErin]

My Skye Terrier mix is hardly eating at all. It seems to have started around the time that she was groomed and then boarded a couple of days after that.

We got her hair cut super-short, so I didn't realize how much weight she had lost until I took her to the vet. (Plus there are three of us who feed her, so we each thought the other one must be refilling her dry dog food). She has gone from 41 pounds to 33 pounds. She has never been a big eater, so I thought at first, maybe it was my imagination......

I took her to the vet on Thursday and her physical exam was normal. They took some blood. They called me on Friday and said that everything was basically normal. Her white blood cell count was on the "high end of normal." There were a couple of things that led them to think that maybe it was her thyroid gland so they ran another test on Friday. They called me today and said that was normal. He said the only thing really abnormal was a specialized type of white blood cell that is usually the first to attack.

They had me start her on an antiparasite dewormer and she finished that yesterday. And she started on antibiotics on Friday night, just in case.

I'm so scared that there is something seriously wrong with her. She is not eating her dog food, but will eat the chicken off the top (which I started putting on top to get her to eat SOMETHING). When I let her outside, she often just lays on the porch. She had been eating grass, but has stopped that. She seems to look really sad, but maybe that's me just reflecting my feelings on her. My other dog is fine so it doesn't seem to be some kind of virus.

I'm so afraid of cancer, after having lost my Chow to that several years ago. The vet said since we can't figure out what's wrong with her, we may need to do some abdominal x-rays, if the antibiotic doesn't help her.

Again, this all seemed to start with being groomed/boarded, so surely its not cancer. And that wouldn't cause her white blood cells to be high, WOULD IT????

Anybody have a pet go through something like this before?

 

[HeatherH]

I'm sorry about your dog, that is a significant weight loss. Had an issue with a cat not eating but that's a totally different thing.

I'm surprised they haven't done stomach x-rays already? I think with the way your dog is acting and without you knowing for sure how long the loss of appetite and weight loss has been going on, they would be more aggressive in trying to figure out a cause. I understand them wanting to see if the current treatments work, but I would do a more extensive work-up to rule out other issues.

I hope they can figure out what is going on and your dog feels better soon!

 

[TexasErin]

Thank you! Pray for my little Honey!

If she's not better in a few days, I'm going to take her back in. She had been doing a SERIOUS amount of grooming my other dog after they got groomed. Honey was constantly licking Molly's face. Its made me wonder if she somehow got poisoned from grooming chemicals??? Okay, I'm probably just really worried and paranoid.....

 

[Belle0101]

First off OP . Having nursed dogs back to health I can understand your concern.

I don't know what may be causing your dog's problems but may I make some food suggestions?

I read that she will eat chicken so you can feed that until her appetite comes back. Boil the chicken, remove the skin and bones and then shred it. Mix that with cooked rice, half and half. I've yet to have an ill dog turn their nose at that.

Another option, boiled hamburger mixed half and half with rice.

Yet another option, canned dog food rolled into meatballs. I serve those cold, one by one while talking in a very excited voice.

The chicken and rice has always worked best for my dogs so I always try that first.

I wish I had medical answers for you. I haven't worked at a vet's office in so long that I'm afraid my brain is just too rusty. Plus they come up with new test and new meds all the time.

Let us know how things are going or PM me if you want. I have 5 dogs of my own at the moment and foster greyhounds. I hope she gets to feeling better soon!

 

[TexasErin]

Thank you! I'll try the chicken and rice tomorrow. Any idea how much to make for a dog her size. She has never had a huge appetite......

 

[Belle0101]

Thank you! I'll try the chicken and rice tomorrow. Any idea how much to make for a dog her size. She has never had a huge appetite......

No sure on that. My dogs are so much bigger. Maybe try and feed the same amount she would normally eat but if you have the time break it up into 2 or more small meals if you have the extra time.

I would make it up in the morning. Store it in the fridge and then warm up what I needed in the microwave. Not too hot though, just to reoom temp.

Lots of fresh water too.

 

[chabs]

Thank you! Pray for my little Honey!

If she's not better in a few days, I'm going to take her back in. She had been doing a SERIOUS amount of grooming my other dog after they got groomed. Honey was constantly licking Molly's face. Its made me wonder if she somehow got poisoned from grooming chemicals??? Okay, I'm probably just really worried and paranoid.....

I would give her a bath immediately, just in case. My dog was poisoned when our kennel put preventative flea medication on her when we had just put it on her the day before. She was only there overnight, but I asked them why she looked so sick and if they gave her anything and they said that they don't usually treat the dogs, but another dog came in with fleas and they decided to treat the surrounding dogs just in case. Also, you never know if your dog is sensitive to grooming chemicals, especially since she's so small. I have a 7 pound maltipoo that I'm very careful with when I take her to the groomer. I specifically ask for her not to be sprayed with any chemicals and only to be washed with baby type shampoo.

 

[SandrA9810]

I went through a bout with my doggie of putting her on a home made diet. I was sick of the UTIs she kept getting, and figured it was down to the food causing it. I left her on this diet for about a month before putting her on a premium brand food.

I'd boil a huge pot of rice (she seemed to like brown rice even more). After it cooked most the way, I added in a couple cans of chicken broth, but not making it too soupy, and I'd add in a frozen bag of mix veggies. I'd simmer it on low until the veggies cooked, then divide it up into microwave containers. I would make about a week's worth for each pot.

They make the frozen steamer bags of rice. A little more pricey, but a HUGE life saver on the time it takes to make it. They sell it with brown rice, which is more healthy anyways, and white rice.

 

[Squirrel!!!]

I am sorry to hear that your dog is feeling poorly, but I think that you need to consider more testing to find out what is going on. She has lost a profound amount of weight...that is super worrisome.

Sometimes bloodwork is normal when something bad is lurking. Since conservative management isn't making a difference, worming and antibiotics, seeing the doctor again and getting some belly films or whatever is warrented next would hopefully get some more answers.

So try spicing up her appetite with somethng yummy in the AM, but I would call your vet first thing.

Good luck!!!

 

[EllenFrasier]

Just a thought - you said she isn't eating her dog food. Have you tried buying another bag of food, same brand, to see if there might be something wrong with the food? Maybe it's gone bad, it's stale or something? I know we bought a brand new bag of food and it had mold in it! The dogs wouldn't eat and I knew something was wrong because they usually dive right in. Upon close inspection, I found that the food had mold on it - back to the store with that and they gave us a new bag. Everything was okay then.
Being that your dog is eating the chicken and I'm assuming pooping normally, I would think it has something to do with not liking the dog food for some reason.

 

[DawnCt1]

Just a thought - you said she isn't eating her dog food. Have you tried buying another bag of food, same brand, to see if there might be something wrong with the food? Maybe it's gone bad, it's stale or something? I know we bought a brand new bag of food and it had mold in it! The dogs wouldn't eat and I knew something was wrong because they usually dive right in. Upon close inspection, I found that the food had mold on it - back to the store with that and they gave us a new bag. Everything was okay then.
Being that your dog is eating the chicken and I'm assuming pooping normally, I would think it has something to do with not liking the dog food for some reason.

We had a bag of dog food sour one time. I buy smaller bags now and store it in a storage bin. To the OP, try canned dog food. Connor was a picky eater when he came. We gave him predominantly canned food mixed with kibble and backed off on the canned. Now he gets about a quarter can mixed with his food and likes that.
Also, go back to the vet. There is medication that they can give for the short term to boost your dog's appetite. And of course, there are some things that just don't show up on blood tests. I hope everything is okay.

 

[walden]

OP, I'd be scared too. That is a serious weight loss. I'd be doing my best to tempt appetite and get the dog's weight back up ASAP, but would be careful of giving very high fat content in case of causing pancreatitis.

Along with the above chicken/boiled hamburger and rice, I'd try lightly scrambled egg at room temperature and parmesan sprinkles or low fat yogurt on regular food. There is also a prescription high calorie gel and special food available through your vet.

It looks as if you have a good vet who is exploring all the options. Has he/she suggested an ultra sound? Hope everything goes well and that nothing is seriously wrong.

 

[GalDisney]

Since she was groomed and boarded for a few days maybe all that is happening is your dog is traumatized and/or mad at you. This happened to me after i had my cat boarded for a few days. He would not eat for two weeks and had me scared to death. He started eating after two weeks and the vet said the cat was just traumatized and probbaly ticked off at me

 

[sandramaac]

just watch how much rice you give, it sometimes binds the dog up and then they are constipated

 

[Patricia721]

Erin, how's your little girl doing today? I also feed chicken & rice when my Sheltie doesn't feel well. I boil boneless/skinless chicken breasts and then use the broth to boil the rice in. I think it gives it a little extra flavor and it's relatively fat free. My girl weighs 24 pounds; I give her a 1/2 cup of the chicken/rice mixture twice a day. I warm it in the microwave to room temp. Please don't hesitate to take her back to the vet if she's still not eating and/or you're concerned. I'm sure your vet would want to follow-up. Good luck and please keep us posted.

 

[walden]

Yes, how is she today?

I'm so afraid of cancer, after having lost my Chow to that several years ago. The vet said since we can't figure out what's wrong with her, we may need to do some abdominal x-rays, if the antibiotic doesn't help her.

Again, this all seemed to start with being groomed/boarded, so surely its not cancer. And that wouldn't cause her white blood cells to be high, WOULD IT????Anybody have a pet go through something like this before?

I just reread your post and had a couple of questions/suggestions that you may want to discuss with the vet to help set your mind at ease re. cancer possibilities and high white blood cell counts.

Have you done a differential White Blood Cell Count to see which type of WBC is elevated?

It sounds as though the vet suspects a digestive tract infection as the dog is being treated with deworming and antibiotics. That would mean the neutrophil and/or eosinophil count is elevated. Stress (like the grooming) can also cause the neutrophils to be elevated. This is all treatable.

OTOH, elevated lymphocytes can be caused by long-term infections, autoimmune disorders and leukemia. Elevated monocytes could indicate leukemia too, but I really wouldn't go there yet!

I am so sorry about your Chow. I lost a dog to visceral hemangiosarcoma two years ago. Cancer is horrible and I think we all worry about it when our pups are under the weather.

 

[MinnieMe2]

I would have the x-rays done now. In light of the blood work, which was inconclusive, I'd want to make sure she hasn't ingested something that's blocking up the works. Any fever?

 

[TexasErin]

Thanks for all your suggestions.....

Honey is still pretty much the same. At times, she seems like herself, and then other times, she seems kinda mopey. She did not want to take her antibiotic this morning (hidden in peanut butter), but she was probably suspicious since she usually gets her treat at night.

I am going to boil the chicken and rice tonight and I will feed her that for the next few days. The vet had told me to give it a couple of days for the antibiotic to work. If she's not doing better in a few days, I will take her back into the vet.

I'm just praying that its not stomach cancer, but that wouldn't result in higher levels of white blood cells (especially the higher-fighting-specialized white blood cell that was present), WOULD IT?

 

[TexasErin]

Neutrophil! Yes, that is the specialized white blood cell that the vet mentioned.

I had thought also about a blockage. This is weird, but after she and my other dog, Molly, were groomed, Honey would repeatedly groom Molly's face and neck for extended amounts of time. It has made me think about all the doggy perfume she probably licked off of Molly- and possibly all the hair that she may have ingested.

 

[walden]

Neutrophil! Yes, that is the specialized white blood cell that the vet mentioned.

I had thought also about a blockage. This is weird, but after she and my other dog, Molly, were groomed, Honey would repeatedly groom Molly's face and neck for extended amounts of time. It has made me think about all the doggy perfume she probably licked off of Molly- and possibly all the hair that she may have ingested.

Yay! Your vet did do a differential WBC then. Good vet!

I doubt that it is a blockage if food is going all the way through -- she is pooping normally. Sounds like an infection, inflamation or stress with the neutrophil elevation. You said high normal count?

Other suggestions for tempting appetite -- tuna or sardines in small quantities. Use the water packed cans. My dogs will stand on their heads for sardines.