What can you feed a 8 yr old dog that won't eat and losing weight;?

Question

he has a bad infection from results of bloodwork and a temp of 103f

he is on antibotics. he is getting critical because of weight loss. this has been going on for three weeks. the vet said try mash potatoes and hamburger meat cooked or tuna or oatmeal with sugar or chichen noodle soup, non of these has worked. anybody have experience with this or any ideas. thanks.

Answer 1

I've had good results with boiled chicken breast (skin removed), cottage cheese and whole grain white rice.  Also try mixing in some Ensure (vanilla or strawberry, never chocolate or coffee flavored).  That will help your dog get some nutrients he can keep down.  You might also feed a tablespoon or so of plain yogurt.  Pick a brand that contains some of the beneficial bacteria.  While your dog is on antibiotics, all the normal bacteria are being killed along with the harmful bacteria.

Offer small several small meals instead of one or two large meals.  You want him to keep the food down.

Good luck with your little guy.  It can be a struggle.

Colette

Answer 2

Gary, My Boxer had problems when he was in the later stage of Thyroid Cancer.  I know this is not the case with your dog because of your info.  The only thing that really stimulated his  appetite was low salt shredded turkey available at grocers or even awhile Hen.

Answer 3

The Vet gave you great advise.  Cook brown rice as well. cottage cheese is easy on the tummy too...

maybe chicken baby food puree,

Answer 4

No I have not experience this with any of my dogs, but something that I think your dog would eat is this delicious stuff called...(checking)..."d**k Van Patten's Natural Balance" it comes in a tube and I use it as dog treats, but it can be used as full feed. Its really good for them and dogs really cant resist them...so maybe you dog will eat it.

Good luck and I'm sorry about your dog.  

Answer 5

Try white meat chicken and a little rice.

There are concentrated gels in tubes that can be given to dogs as a temporary measure to keep them from starving - ask your vet for some.

Don't consider chicken noodle soup - too much salt - and certainly no sugar.

Answer 6

Try raw food, dogs love it and many fussy or ill eaters can be tempted.  I buy premade Primal Raw food fo rmy dogs, my fussiest eater never turns it down!  If you can't find premade raw dog food you can just try raw hamburger meat or raw ground chicken.  

Edit:  Also when my dogs have had tummy troubles I've been advised by the vet to give them 1/4 tablet of regular strength Pepcid to calm their stomach down and encourage them to eat- you could ask your vet if that's a good idea or not in your situation.

Answer 7

Its no doubt he's feeling pretty cruddy. You can try giving him some Dark Karo Syrup, if he won't l**k it up on his own rub it on his gums, this might give a bit of an energy boost enough to at least try to eat something.

I would also get some Nutrical. If you can get him to l**k some of that up he'll be getting some nutrients at least.

Or if all else fails, bring back to the vet, they can put an IV in him.  

Answer 8

First thing, is he drinking water and just not eating or what?  Not drinking will kill him faster than not eating.

If he is drinking but not eating, the tube food concentrate is not a bad idea, and will give him a lot of nutrients, to stave off collapse till the antibiotics can do him some good.  By the same token, if he doesn't start eating soon--like in the next couple of days--seek a second opinion.  There may be more going on than just an infection.  Like, for instance, a bowel blockage.  Though antibiotics do often make for a lack of appetite.

Best, though, if you don't want to go to the specialty foods, take whatever is his very favorite meat, cook it long enough to warm it, puree it and try serving him that way.  Humans tend to think cooked is better, but dogs really can hardly resist raw.  Another thing you  might try is pureeing a small portion of liver--calves liver is best, cause it's more tender--and mix it with a 1/4 cup or so of cooked oatmeal, then serve it warm.  Warm is very good with a touchy tummy, cause it aerosolizes the fragrance, thus making it more appealing.  

Truthfully, though, if his fever continues high, his appetite probably will not pick up much--makes you feel so funky you just don't care about much.

Is your  vet giving him antipyretics?  This might help him feel betterf, and dogs can take them.

Answer 9

something may be going terribly wrong.  

get a 2nd opinion ~ "FAST"