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Old dog won’t eat… (1 Viewer)

T

That one guy

Footballguy
Backstory:  a little over week ago we took her in to vet because of vomiting/diarrhea, she was still eating and drinking and acting fine, but then would have these incidents usually overnight; she’s 14/15 years old.  They gave her nausea and anti squirtz medicine and some fluids, nothing else indicated true issue.  Few days later she’s drinking excessive amounts of water and spitting it up all over the place, foaming at the mouth.  Back in we go, do senior blood panel and X-rays.  Her abdomen is distended with air to the point they’re scared her stomach bout to flip on itself (forget the word here) and that’s beyond no bueno.  They manually excise air with tube down her throat, more X-rays after.  Send post X-rays to radiologist who reports following day there’s “something” near or in her tummy but not of a size that can be confidently labeled anything; could be growth/tumor, could be lesion from the distention.  Ultrasound is next course of action in a week or so.  Her blood panel came back perfect, there’s no anything to point to for issues.

I made her chicken and rice, wouldn’t eat it.  Ground beef, barely ate it.  Started on entyce and mirtazipine for appetite enhancement, nothing.  Will ONLY eat deli ham and will actually it eat happily.  Too much salt, I can’t be giving her only this?  If she weren’t so alert, attentive, active (for a 14/15 year old dog) and looking at me happily when ham comes out, I’d have an easier time accepting that it’s “time”.

Any dog owners run into similar non-eating issues and found other options that helped?

 
good luck man, I'm sure this sucks for you and your family.

I'm pretty certain my experience won't help you, but about a month ago our dog (8yr old) stopped eating completely and lost all energy. To make a long story very short, after a week of hell the vet cut her open and removed a small nerfgun ball that was blocking her intestine.  She pretty much instantly went back to normal.  They diagnosed it by feeding her a solution that showed up on x-rays, and after a couple days could see the blockage.

 
CletiusMaximus said:
good luck man, I'm sure this sucks for you and your family.

I'm pretty certain my experience won't help you, but about a month ago our dog (8yr old) stopped eating completely and lost all energy. To make a long story very short, after a week of hell the vet cut her open and removed a small nerfgun ball that was blocking her intestine.  She pretty much instantly went back to normal.  They diagnosed it by feeding her a solution that showed up on x-rays, and after a couple days could see the blockage.
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Similar story, our two year old pooch ate a chestnut that got logdged in his intestine. Pretty much back to normal after a day or so

 
CletiusMaximus said:
good luck man, I'm sure this sucks for you and your family.

I'm pretty certain my experience won't help you, but about a month ago our dog (8yr old) stopped eating completely and lost all energy. To make a long story very short, after a week of hell the vet cut her open and removed a small nerfgun ball that was blocking her intestine.  She pretty much instantly went back to normal.  They diagnosed it by feeding her a solution that showed up on x-rays, and after a couple days could see the blockage.
Click to expand...
Last April we had to say goodbye to our other 14/15 year old, so it’s slightly extra suck to be possibly in same situation.

That said, I finally gave in over grief and we rescued a 2/3 year old that has been the most perfect addition to the family…EXCEPT for her eating things that have landed her in ER vet now twice:  once my wife’s running shoe and about a month ago my hat.  We’ve had to learn the hard way she’ll eat things left on floor overnight

 
My Presa went through a recent bought of this and we pinpointed it to the ham slices we were giving her. She’s a mastiff and their stomachs are a concern stuff like you mentioned. 
 

We have been feeding her smaller portions and now we even pre slice or pull the meat.apart. 
 

She gets a cup of dry accompanied by either a raw egg, some combination of meats and veggies or a 1/4 scoop of wet food. We do this twice a day and she gets small snacks during the day. It’s all the purina sensitive stomach line. 

GL!
 

 
That one guy said:
Backstory:  a little over week ago we took her in to vet because of vomiting/diarrhea, she was still eating and drinking and acting fine, but then would have these incidents usually overnight; she’s 14/15 years old.  They gave her nausea and anti squirtz medicine and some fluids, nothing else indicated true issue.  Few days later she’s drinking excessive amounts of water and spitting it up all over the place, foaming at the mouth.  Back in we go, do senior blood panel and X-rays.  Her abdomen is distended with air to the point they’re scared her stomach bout to flip on itself (forget the word here) and that’s beyond no bueno.  They manually excise air with tube down her throat, more X-rays after.  Send post X-rays to radiologist who reports following day there’s “something” near or in her tummy but not of a size that can be confidently labeled anything; could be growth/tumor, could be lesion from the distention.  Ultrasound is next course of action in a week or so.  Her blood panel came back perfect, there’s no anything to point to for issues.

I made her chicken and rice, wouldn’t eat it.  Ground beef, barely ate it.  Started on entyce and mirtazipine for appetite enhancement, nothing.  Will ONLY eat deli ham and will actually it eat happily.  Too much salt, I can’t be giving her only this?  If she weren’t so alert, attentive, active (for a 14/15 year old dog) and looking at me happily when ham comes out, I’d have an easier time accepting that it’s “time”.

Any dog owners run into similar non-eating issues and found other options that helped?
Click to expand...
Dogs not eating is a very bad thing. Could be something simple like dehydration. Or very serious like stomach blockage. Either way, you need to take dog in ASAP.  When I described a dog that wouldn't eat for a couple days to multiple vets, they all considered it basically an emergency.

 
My old girl, Mollie, had intestinal issues and wouldn’t eat. She drank a ton of water and ultimately had stage 3 and 4 renal failure. Sadly she crossed the rainbow bridge within 2 weeks. I hope it’s not that, but not eating at that age is not good nonetheless.

 
That one guy said:
Last April we had to say goodbye to our other 14/15 year old, so it’s slightly extra suck to be possibly in same situation.

That said, I finally gave in over grief and we rescued a 2/3 year old that has been the most perfect addition to the family…EXCEPT for her eating things that have landed her in ER vet now twice:  once my wife’s running shoe and about a month ago my hat.  We’ve had to learn the hard way she’ll eat things left on floor overnight
Click to expand...


If you have a dog that is prone to eating non-digestible items within reach that land you in surgery from time to time, its worth considering pet insurance.  My neighbor's dog can't resist eating kids socks.  With 3 kids in the house there will always be stray socks within reach. They bought insurance after the second surgery and it has paid off. Some policies/coverage are better than others, so its buyer beware.

 
CletiusMaximus said:
If you have a dog that is prone to eating non-digestible items within reach that land you in surgery from time to time, its worth considering pet insurance.  My neighbor's dog can't resist eating kids socks.  With 3 kids in the house there will always be stray socks within reach. They bought insurance after the second surgery and it has paid off. Some policies/coverage are better than others, so its buyer beware.
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Our neighbors daughters Doberman just had surgery to remove a few rocks. 

 
I've seen this situation twice in a one year span with our two old pups.  Started with our girl.  She used to love to eat her food and would eat his if he walked away from the bowl.  She stopped eating.  I could hand feed her meat at first and she'd eat.  After a couple weeks she'd take it out of my hand and immediately let it drop to the floor.  Never thought I'd see that from her. 

During this time she also drank excessive amounts of water.  Just out of the blue.  Then came the slowness... she'd lay on the cushion all day.  Have to take food to her. Wouldn't eat. Took her to the vet.  Nothing was "wrong" internally, it was just becoming her time.  

We decided one weekend to take her in on Monday to ease her suffering.  Took her outside to potty that day and she just stood there.  Then she fell and looked up at me as if to say "what do I have to do?"  That was it for us so we took her in.

Our old boy, within 4 months without her, began going down the same path.  Large amounts of water and started to eat less.  His decline was almost over night... so quickly.  

He wouldn't eat out of my hand.  A little ground beef or ham now and then but that didn't last long.  He laid on the couch (we'd have to put him there). Lost weight, no appetite. We began making plans to take him in.  He had bladder leaks over night, things like that.  The day came that we decided to take him in but the vet's office wasn't open til the AM.  

I took him out that night.  He just stood there, staring off.  He'd usually just stand and pee... but nothing.  I knew.  I picked him up and went back into the house. I got him to his bed and was doing my nightly routine to lock up the house, etc. He was on his side and I noticed his chest wasn't moving, as if he wasn't breathing.  I sat on the floor and pulled him unto my lap.  Within 15 seconds, he was gone. 

If pets could talk they could tell us where and how much it hurts.  They can't but there are signs. 

Both were ~20 lbs (at full health), Chihuahua mixes (girl brown miniature Doberman we think and the boy Jack Russell brindle). Both were 14+. Not exactly sure because we rescued them (separately) when they were 3 or 4 years old. 

They are currently resting beside each other on our property. 

I'm sorry that I don't have any scenario or options that may help in your situation.  15 years is an elderly age for our pets. 

I can say that our two pups had long and awesome lives with us and our kids.  They were, and still are, extremely loved in our family.

 
Jayrok said:
I've seen this situation twice in a one year span with our two old pups.  Started with our girl.  She used to love to eat her food and would eat his if he walked away from the bowl.  She stopped eating.  I could hand feed her meat at first and she'd eat.  After a couple weeks she'd take it out of my hand and immediately let it drop to the floor.  Never thought I'd see that from her. 

During this time she also drank excessive amounts of water.  Just out of the blue.  Then came the slowness... she'd lay on the cushion all day.  Have to take food to her. Wouldn't eat. Took her to the vet.  Nothing was "wrong" internally, it was just becoming her time.  

We decided one weekend to take her in on Monday to ease her suffering.  Took her outside to potty that day and she just stood there.  Then she fell and looked up at me as if to say "what do I have to do?"  That was it for us so we took her in.

Our old boy, within 4 months without her, began going down the same path.  Large amounts of water and started to eat less.  His decline was almost over night... so quickly.  

He wouldn't eat out of my hand.  A little ground beef or ham now and then but that didn't last long.  He laid on the couch (we'd have to put him there). Lost weight, no appetite. We began making plans to take him in.  He had bladder leaks over night, things like that.  The day came that we decided to take him in but the vet's office wasn't open til the AM.  

I took him out that night.  He just stood there, staring off.  He'd usually just stand and pee... but nothing.  I knew.  I picked him up and went back into the house. I got him to his bed and was doing my nightly routine to lock up the house, etc. He was on his side and I noticed his chest wasn't moving, as if he wasn't breathing.  I sat on the floor and pulled him unto my lap.  Within 15 seconds, he was gone. 

If pets could talk they could tell us where and how much it hurts.  They can't but there are signs. 

Both were ~20 lbs (at full health), Chihuahua mixes (girl brown miniature Doberman we think and the boy Jack Russell brindle). Both were 14+. Not exactly sure because we rescued them (separately) when they were 3 or 4 years old. 

They are currently resting beside each other on our property. 

I'm sorry that I don't have any scenario or options that may help in your situation.  15 years is an elderly age for our pets. 

I can say that our two pups had long and awesome lives with us and our kids.  They were, and still are, extremely loved in our family.
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:cry:  God dammit you got me! Lol right before we sit down to eat with one of my daughters boyfriends. 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Similar situation with one of our labs, diagnosed with liver problems and stopped eating.  Imagine how sick you must feel if you can't bring yourself to eat. And she was only 8 years old when we had to let her go.  At 14/15 years old it's likely time, some organ failure of some sort.  IMO, I wouldn't try to spend a lot of time and money trying to figure it out.  Sorry GB.

And I don't see where you said what breed.  I know with labs they want to work, even when they are deathly ill.  That was the hardest part, she seemed happy,, running and playing at times because that's what they are trained to do.  They can't tell you their pain or how they really feel.  Like @Jayrok said, take a long look in their eyes and see what they can tell you.  My wife knew it before me, but, then I started to see the yellow in her eyes and skin.  

 
That one guy said:
Backstory:  a little over week ago we took her in to vet because of vomiting/diarrhea, she was still eating and drinking and acting fine, but then would have these incidents usually overnight; she’s 14/15 years old.  They gave her nausea and anti squirtz medicine and some fluids, nothing else indicated true issue.  Few days later she’s drinking excessive amounts of water and spitting it up all over the place, foaming at the mouth.  Back in we go, do senior blood panel and X-rays.  Her abdomen is distended with air to the point they’re scared her stomach bout to flip on itself (forget the word here) and that’s beyond no bueno.  They manually excise air with tube down her throat, more X-rays after.  Send post X-rays to radiologist who reports following day there’s “something” near or in her tummy but not of a size that can be confidently labeled anything; could be growth/tumor, could be lesion from the distention.  Ultrasound is next course of action in a week or so.  Her blood panel came back perfect, there’s no anything to point to for issues.

I made her chicken and rice, wouldn’t eat it.  Ground beef, barely ate it.  Started on entyce and mirtazipine for appetite enhancement, nothing.  Will ONLY eat deli ham and will actually it eat happily.  Too much salt, I can’t be giving her only this?  If she weren’t so alert, attentive, active (for a 14/15 year old dog) and looking at me happily when ham comes out, I’d have an easier time accepting that it’s “time”.

Any dog owners run into similar non-eating issues and found other options that helped?
Click to expand...
I had an older Cavalier King Charles spaniel with a stomach issue that wouldn't eat. The only thing she would eat were these freeze dried liver treats. Try those treats. To this day, I have never had a dog turn them down. Deli ham or deli turkey is also a good standby. You can soak it in water for a bit or roast it in water to remove some of the salt

 
TwinTurbo said:
I had an older Cavalier King Charles spaniel with a stomach issue that wouldn't eat. The only thing she would eat were these freeze dried liver treats. Try those treats. To this day, I have never had a dog turn them down. Deli ham or deli turkey is also a good standby. You can soak it in water for a bit or roast it in water to remove some of the salt
Click to expand...
Weirdly, these made both my dogs, 8 year old and brand new pup sick.  The new pup had the runs bad and couldn't figure out what was going on until we eventually narrowed it down.  We threw the whole bucket in the garbage.  I think the directions say 2-3 treats per day?  But yeah, they will gobble them up if you let them.

 
Osaurus said:
My old girl, Mollie, had intestinal issues and wouldn’t eat. She drank a ton of water and ultimately had stage 3 and 4 renal failure. Sadly she crossed the rainbow bridge within 2 weeks. I hope it’s not that, but not eating at that age is not good nonetheless.
Click to expand...


This was the same for us when ours stopped eating.  It was renal failure and it wasn't much longer after that before she passed.

 
Appreciate all the shared stories

After 4 different trips to vet, all vitals coming back “normal” each time, the report from radiologist gave us answer I always knew and feared when this started:  she has a large growth in her stomach that we have agreed is inoperable.  My momma dog is on hospice care with us now.  She still has enough energy to ask me each night for a walk like we always do after putting kiddo to bed; it’s nothing more than a few houses down and back but she gets her sniffs in and seems relaxed.  I know what to look for and won’t let her get to a true emergency state of decline, but I need to enjoy my sweet girl just a little bit more.  I’m selfishly mad she’s not going to make it to our annual beach trip in August, how she loved pre-dusk walks along water’s edge.

I saw Scott Van Pelt’s tribute to his dog over the weekend on Twitter…it’s about as perfect a summation of dog love to me, why I’m about to hurt like hell and eventually volunteer to do it all over again

 
That one guy said:
Appreciate all the shared stories

After 4 different trips to vet, all vitals coming back “normal” each time, the report from radiologist gave us answer I always knew and feared when this started:  she has a large growth in her stomach that we have agreed is inoperable.  My momma dog is on hospice care with us now.  She still has enough energy to ask me each night for a walk like we always do after putting kiddo to bed; it’s nothing more than a few houses down and back but she gets her sniffs in and seems relaxed.  I know what to look for and won’t let her get to a true emergency state of decline, but I need to enjoy my sweet girl just a little bit more.  I’m selfishly mad she’s not going to make it to our annual beach trip in August, how she loved pre-dusk walks along water’s edge.

I saw Scott Van Pelt’s tribute to his dog over the weekend on Twitter…it’s about as perfect a summation of dog love to me, why I’m about to hurt like hell and eventually volunteer to do it all over again
Click to expand...
My heart breaks for you. We had this a few years ago with our old girl. I was devastated. It is amazing how much we connect with our dogs. 15 years is a good long life. Remember the good times.

 
When my dog would not eat cold cuts I knew something was seriously wrong.  He also stopped moving around.

Took him to the vet, who changed his diet.

He died a couple of weeks later.

:mad:

 
rustycolts said:
My dog Casey will be leaving us Monday. She is 17 and a damn good dog. She won't eat and can barely walk. I waited too long but I just couldn't do it. I'm crying as I write this just not fair their lives are so short.
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Sorry to hear. Glad you got 17 good years out of her. I'm sure she got 17 good years out of you also.

May she rest in peace. 

 
rustycolts said:
My dog Casey will be leaving us Monday. She is 17 and a damn good dog. She won't eat and can barely walk. I waited too long but I just couldn't do it. I'm crying as I write this just not fair their lives are so short.
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I’m sorry you are having to experience this as well…I know my decision is the right one, yet as with every other time I will shoulder an amount of grief and pain that will always be with me.

I’ve been blessed with the goodest of good girls my whole life, but this will hurt a new way.  This girl, and her sister that went last year, was with me before marriage and parenthood.  They saw me grow up into an adult and accomplish great things, and now I will be without both those friends

Cry all the tears, feel all the feels, that’s what best friends are for

 
rustycolts said:
Had to take Casey today. I just wanted a few more days with her, but I had to do it. The grief and guilt is almost more than I can bare. I loved that dog. I cried like a little girl I'm going to miss her.
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Today is a crap day, it’s one of the hardest right decisions one has to make.  Find comfort that you were there, the end isn’t any easier on their side and to be there with and for her is how we repay all the love received 

 
So sorry to hear of all of these sad losses for all of you. Unfortunately I think I may have to take my sweet dog in tomorrow morning.  Just stop eating, drinking, and cant even stand. She was a rescue we fostered and ended up adopting. Fit right in & got along great with our other pets. Such an awful thing to have to go through. 

 
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