What to feed ill dog who does not want to eat

[Eventer29]

My 11 year old cocker is a pretty sick girl. She went to the vet Monday because she was not herself, very lethargic, shakey, not eating etc. They thought she had pyometra (bad uterine infection). Operated on her that day to remove uterus (spay). Opened her up and thought her uterus had ruptured. Turns out it was not her uterus, it was a large baloon of some sort that had been leaking puss into her abdominal cavity. Still not sure yet if it ws an abcess or if it is Cancer. Waiting on biopsy report. She came home yesterday with pain meds and a general antibiotic (since we do not know waht we are treating). She has not had much of an apetite. I have tried chicken, which she normally loves, all sorts of different treats, canned food, wet food from a pouch and balogna. She tasted the chicken and spat it out. Any ideas on waht else to try. She did eat a little steak last night when we were eating dinner, and some soggy bacon. I figured something would be better than nothing. She ate some treats dipped in the bacon/steak grease (only way she would eat them) this morning, then I gave her her meds and 45 min later she threw all the treats back up. What might be good to settle her tummy and get something in her? I would try rice but she will not eat anything that is not bite size and hand fed, and i doubt she will eat the rice anyways.
I called the vet earlier to give her an update but have not recieved a call back yet. I am very worried about my girl, she does not seem to be recovering like I had hoped. There is not much else I can do for her, but I thought I might find something she will eat.

 

[Katelin]

My 11 year old cocker is a pretty sick girl. She went to the vet Monday because she was not herself, very lethargic, shakey, not eating etc. They thought she had pyometra (bad uterine infection). Operated on her that day to remove uterus (spay). Opened her up and thought her uterus had ruptured. Turns out it was not her uterus, it was a large baloon of some sort that had been leaking puss into her abdominal cavity. Still not sure yet if it ws an abcess or if it is Cancer. Waiting on biopsy report. She came home yesterday with pain meds and a general antibiotic (since we do not know waht we are treating). She has not had much of an apetite. I have tried chicken, which she normally loves, all sorts of different treats, canned food, wet food from a pouch and balogna. She tasted the chicken and spat it out. Any ideas on waht else to try. She did eat a little steak last night when we were eating dinner, and some soggy bacon. I figured something would be better than nothing. She ate some treats dipped in the bacon/steak grease (only way she would eat them) this morning, then I gave her her meds and 45 min later she threw all the treats back up. What might be good to settle her tummy and get something in her? I would try rice but she will not eat anything that is not bite size and hand fed, and i doubt she will eat the rice anyways.
I called the vet earlier to give her an update but have not recieved a call back yet. I am very worried about my girl, she does not seem to be recovering like I had hoped. There is not much else I can do for her, but I thought I might find something she will eat.

Wow...I am so sorry....poor pup..

Call your Vet..ask for an appitate stimulant.. (we use them on cats and it really helps!) You can try baby food..like a jar of beef or lamb. Easy to swallow or to liguify. Make sure it deos NOT contain onion.

It might be she doed not FEEL like eating solid food yet...important again..get fluids into her..keeps her hydrated and helps her heal!

Make sure she stays warm and quiet. Keep her fluid intake UP..you can get IV fluids and give those sub-q. Ask your vet or other dog owners here.
Your vet can add liquid vitimins to the IV solution to help her along.

Ask others here for info and dont take No for an answer from your Vet!!

Recovering from an abdominal infection AND surgery is hard for a dog, or person!!

Hang in there...

 

[GWguy]

When my guy was fussy, he always seemed to like ground beef and rice. Pretty easy for them to digest.

 

[Katelin]

Post-op diet for dogs is like for people..Bland!!! Give the gut time to wake up and get beck to normal.
Google bland diet and that will guide you on what to offer your dog.
Good Luck!!

Rice with warm baby food might work...

 

[Serenity40]

Sick Pup

I would suggest chicken broth, it has dual benefits it will hydrate and give some nutritional support. If she won't drink it from a bowl you can use a turkey baster. I had to use the baster for my sick Rottweiler before. I know how it feels to have a sick furry baby. Best of luck!

 

[aubriana]

Animals are very intuitive about their needs. I think she'll eat when she needs to. I agree with the broth suggestion.

 

[vraiblonde]

Sorry about your doggy. I have no suggestions but broth sounds about right. She's rejecting solids so at least you can get some nutrients in her with liquids.

 

[Eventer29]

Didnt think about broth. She is drinking at least. Vet feels that it is the antibiotics making her vomit/not want to eat. Good news. The biopsy finally came back, NO cancer!!!! it was an abcess of some sort,with a weak bacteria so we are stepping down the strong antibiotic to just 1x a day. Was thinking about like doggy pedialite to help her stay hydrated. She is drinking but i doubt enough. Is there such thing as doggy pedialite?? Will def try the broth!

 

[Katelin]

Didnt think about broth. She is drinking at least. Vet feels that it is the antibiotics making her vomit/not want to eat. Good news. The biopsy finally came back, NO cancer!!!! it was an abcess of some sort,with a weak bacteria so we are stepping down the strong antibiotic to just 1x a day. Was thinking about like doggy pedialite to help her stay hydrated. She is drinking but i doubt enough. Is there such thing as doggy pedialite?? Will def try the broth!

YAY..no cancer!!!!


With wildlife.....we use plain unflavored pedialyte.
Just warm it up and offer with a turkey baster...
Our rule with wildlife is 5% body weight per feeding..you dont want to overload her heart, and kidney's with a lot of rehydration solution. Less is best...do a skin tent test to see how she is doing.

She will drink what she needs..like when we get thirsty..we drink until that sensation is gone...

You will be the best judge as you are there with her!

Good luck and GREAT news it is NOT cancer!!!!

 

[Littlebit]

You might try some vanilla yogurt, it is soft also bland and she may lap it up from a bowl or spoon. Also, I think if you use baby pedialyte and put it in her water she may drink it. I think rice and hamburger is a little to heavy for right now, maybe in a couple of days that and more yogurt. I know that is what our vet at Three Notch told us one time when our beagle got an absess from eating some plastic bags from our trash can and could not pass them.
Good Luck with your baby and glad it wasn't cancer. Hang in there and just keep her quiet and cuddly.

 

[ICit]

Didnt think about broth. She is drinking at least. Vet feels that it is the antibiotics making her vomit/not want to eat. Good news. The biopsy finally came back, NO cancer!!!! it was an abcess of some sort,with a weak bacteria so we are stepping down the strong antibiotic to just 1x a day. Was thinking about like doggy pedialite to help her stay hydrated. She is drinking but i doubt enough. Is there such thing as doggy pedialite?? Will def try the broth!

Yes... its safer than human stuff
its made my nupro and pepper pet pantry sells it

I did pm u as well

 

[Puddleducker]

My vet has told me to keep it simple when their stomachs are upset. I have 2 labs that eat all types of trash. Try a couple scrambled eggs (no milk) and a little rice. Maybe a tiny bit of cheese to entice her.

 

[Loper]

Yes... its safer than human stuff
its made my nupro and pepper pet pantry sells it

I did pm u as well

I just saw this stuff when in there last weekend... although, I would try some broth if that is all you have handy.

 

[Independence]

Wirelessly posted

You can also try some pepcid or zantac to settle the stomach. Check with your vet for dose. I had a 55 pound boxer that got 1 pill 2 times a day during his cancer treatments. Hope your pup weeks better soon.

 

[Roman]

YAY..no cancer!!!!


With wildlife.....we use plain unflavored pedialyte.
Just warm it up and offer with a turkey baster...
Our rule with wildlife is 5% body weight per feeding..you dont want to overload her heart, and kidney's with a lot of rehydration solution. Less is best...do a skin tent test to see how she is doing.

She will drink what she needs..like when we get thirsty..we drink until that sensation is gone...

You will be the best judge as you are there with her!

Good luck and GREAT news it is NOT cancer!!!!

I positive Skin Tent test is a late sign! Great to know it is NOT Cancer. Keep up the good work!!

 

[acommondisaster]

no dairy - hard to digest.
eggs and rice or boiled chicken and rice. if you're giving broth, watch teh salt/sodium content. keep her hydrated.
she'll eat when she's ready.

 

[LuckyMe143]

You might try some vanilla yogurt, it is soft also bland and she may lap it up from a bowl or spoon. Also, I think if you use baby pedialyte and put it in her water she may drink it. I think rice and hamburger is a little to heavy for right now, maybe in a couple of days that and more yogurt. I know that is what our vet at Three Notch told us one time when our beagle got an absess from eating some plastic bags from our trash can and could not pass them.
Good Luck with your baby and glad it wasn't cancer. Hang in there and just keep her quiet and cuddly.

Hope your pup feels better soon. My pup is starting not eat :/ but i think its her meds.

 

[Eventer29]

She seems to be feeling better, a little more chipper. Still very very sleepy. Trying to let her sleep as much as possible. Hoping that backing down on the antibiotics might help her feel better/keep stuff down. She has nibbled a little bit of chicken. Turned her nose up at broth and pedialite water, but i think she has drank a little reg water from her normal water bowl. I have tried tempting her with other foods but she isnt interested yet. I think the meds may be affecting her taste buds, she will take a bite, mouth it then spit it out with a funny face like it doesnt taste good. As long as she is acting more like herself I am not too worried. So glad its not Cancer, knowing that has changed my outlook a bit.

 

[Katelin]

Thank you for the update and feeedback on the many suggestions...

Love the "funny face" description....

Hope she continues to heal well and you feel better too!!

 

[Eventer29]

I was just thinking last night. When she gets treats and such she is prob not used to tasting them anyways as she usually just swallows! She is feeling much better, was carrying her ball around and begging for food last night. Gave her some chicken bits that she didnt chew and just swallowed!