My puppy is still not eating. His energy is back, and seems like his old self again, except that he won't eat. The only thing that he will eat is treats (sometimes) and raw ground beef (1-2 times a day) but not much at all. I am still having to force feed him the rest of his meals.

When he eats the treats it kind of looks like his mouth hurts him or something. Could this be why he is not eating? And if so, what could the reason be? My breeder told me it could be from the syringe from force-feeding him, but I have been VERY careful not to scratch his mouth with it.

I have however remembered something. About 2 days before the pup got sick I noticed some blood on his rawhide chew. I thought that maybe it was from the chew, but the next day, didn't see any blood and haven't seen any since.

Could there be something wrong with his mouth? The vet didn't say anything about it the whole time he was there, however I did forget to mention it.

If theres not something wrong with his mouth, why is he not eating? How can I get him to eat more?

Thanks.

Matt,
Most vets have a special canned dog food which is a very soft, bland mixture of rice and dog food ( sorry, I can't remember the name of it ) that is good for dogs in any stage of recovery from a GI illness.
You might consider giving them a call about this type of food, it can be rolled into small balls and easily fed to an ill dog - and it's a lot easier than tube feedings.

It's concievable that he has some damage from all of the vomiting or tubes going in and out. I would just stick to really soft food for a while and see if it just needed time to heal. (super boiled rice in beef or chicken broth, pureed hamburger, etc.)

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Matt,
Most vets have a special canned dog food which is a very soft, bland mixture of rice and dog food ( sorry, I can't remember the name of it ) that is good for dogs in any stage of recovery from a GI illness.
You might consider giving them a call about this type of food, it can be rolled into small balls and easily fed to an ill dog - and it's a lot easier than tube feedings.

This is the food that I am tube feeding him. I've tried to hand feed it to him, but he won't touch it.

Matt does he drink OK? Does he act like it hurts to swallow?

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Matt does he drink OK? Does he act like it hurts to swallow?

He drinks ok, he used to drink A LOT more before he got sick. It looks like it is painful for him to chew, because when I give him his treats, he will softly bite the biscuit, making it break, and then slowly eats the small pieces.

Matt - there is also stuff in a tube that you can get from your vet - Nutri-something or other. It looks like molasses, but it is chock full of nutrients. I had to feed this to one of my dogs several years ago when she was recovering from surgery. It's gunky (twice!), but dogs seem to go for it, and it might be a good way to at least get supplements in your little guy. If I remember, it's kind of expensive, but if it is only for the interim, it might be worth it. Just an idea.

Nutri Cal. I supliment with it.

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Matt - there is also stuff in a tube that you can get from your vet - Nutri-something or other. It looks like molasses, but it is chock full of nutrients. I had to feed this to one of my dogs several years ago when she was recovering from surgery. It's gunky (twice!), but dogs seem to go for it, and it might be a good way to at least get supplements in your little guy. If I remember, it's kind of expensive, but if it is only for the interim, it might be worth it. Just an idea.

Well I am also supplementing him with vitamins and minerals that I also tube feed him with a smaller syringe.

I just want to get the little guy to start eating on his own! I have never met a dog that doesn't like food, heh. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Hi Matt,

Glad to hear he's on the mend.

Have you considered he might have a problem with his teeth?

Also to help with his feeding you could make some kind of beef/chicken broth soup and feed it to him luke warm.

I was also advised a while back to feed cooked chicken and rice, blended really well, just for a short time until he starts eating properly again. Apparently it's VERY palletable for them and it helps get them going again.

Hope this help!

John

p.s. I know how hard it is when your worrying about a sick puppy and not quite knowing what's going on! Just stick in there buddy! I'm sure it'll all turn out good soon.