Dog Community

loss of appetite

Posted : 7/15/2006 8:50:25 AM

Hi everyone
I could use some help here. We took my 11 mo old lab/dane mix for a trip to the mountains this week. About a 3.5 hr drive, he's ok in the car, doesn't sleep much but that's because he wants to look out the window. we arrived in the afternoon and he ate his dinner as normal
Anyway on the 1st morning there he wouldn't eat is breakfast - he has up until now been a voracious eater who we constatnly try to slow down. He also eats everything and anything. He didn't want to eat his dinner that night either but I was able to hand feed him some of it. Wouldn't eat 2nd day breakfast either. Activity levels were high and he was tired but otherwise his normal crazy self. He was freely drinking throughout.
Came home and he still was reluctant to eat his dinner after sleeping for the afternoon. Eventually ate a 'Meaty Bone' and most of a reduced portion of his dinner after quite some time and lots of coaxing.
After our morning walk (behavior normal) he wouldn't eat his breakfast this morning.
1) should I be worried
2)could being somewhere different, 1st time uncrated at night, the car ride unsettled him so?
3)why would he suddenly not want his kibble?
4) should I try to feed him something else (chicken or something?)

He's a slim 90lbs & very active. This is the first time he has refused to eat ANYTHING
Apologies if this is silly to worry but I am a new dog owner and recognize that I don't know a whole lot, don't want to push the panic button or wait too long either so
thanks

jones

Posted : 7/15/2006 9:32:26 AM

He may have been a little stressed by the travel and maybe even a little carsick though he didn't show it in other ways.... if he is still drinking water normally and has normal energy, I'd give him a little more time to settle. Continue to try to handfeed him, don't give him anything different. It's good that he's still eating some if not a lot. If he continues to be eating far less than normal for a few days, make a vet appt. If he eats NOTHING all day and is the same tomorrow, make a vet appt a little sooner.

alieliza

Posted : 7/15/2006 9:36:21 AM

Good advice, Jones.

As far as not feeding him anything different, I think thats a good idea.... but, I know that when we mix even just a teaspoon of wet/canned food into Tyson's regular kibble, he gobbles it right up, whereas he usually eats a little here and there all day long.

kpwlee

Posted : 7/15/2006 10:40:17 AM

thanks I'll certainly be keeping my eye on him

loveukaykay

Posted : 7/15/2006 4:51:26 PM

When Kayla stopped wanting her food I waited too long to bring her in because I didnt want to be a worry wart about it... but after 4 days I did bring her in. It turned out to be pancreatitis which is very serious and ended up killing her. I wouldnt mess around with not eating... there are too many things it could be that are very serious. I would say go to the vet soon if its been a few days. I also dont think you should be trying to make the food more tempting... as I was told sometimes when somethings not right their body tells them not to eat and its for good reason. Coaxing him to eat may be making the problem worse. Good luck.

kpwlee

Posted : 7/15/2006 5:48:28 PM

He has eaten more today - not nearly with his standard of enthusiasm but he has eaten about 80% of his norm. He is still drinking fine and all poops & pees are fine. He doesn't seem to have his full compliment of energy but has had some 'normal' crazy bursts of activity.
Its silly hot & humid here so its a little difficult to judge energy levels as he generally is lethargic in the heat after his morning walk and roaming until his evening sessions. I have felt his belly and it feels normal no lumps or whatever and he shows no signs of tenderness anywhere.
I will certainly book him in on Monday should he not continue to make improvement and generally still seems "under the weather"
He is an extremely happy, easy to please, no complaints sort of guy so it is difficult to judge how he's feeling. I think thats what makes me worry, I know he has a high pain tolerance, and he doesn't make any noise whatsoever so eating & energy are the markers I believe you can read
anyway thanks for your info - I am so sorry to hear about Kayla.

marynh

Posted : 7/15/2006 6:36:07 PM

my Molly is such a creature of habit I've found with her if I change her schedule at all her eating is way off whack....for instance I was on vacation last week (home for 10 days). She was so screwed up!!!! If I don't feed her breakfast at 6:30am, dinner at 5 she's messed up for days.
So every vacation day I was up early to feed her [8|] I can never go away again cause she probably wouldn't eat.
Back to work this week and she's back to eating fine.
She's gonna be screwed up again next week cause I have to take 2 days off....here we go again.
But if she went for more than 3 days with not eating at all I'd get her checked.
I think some dogs are just so sensitve to their normal schedules anything different just screws up the timetable.

kpwlee

Posted : 7/15/2006 7:24:14 PM

I can say he was happy to be home - he loves his morning walk, sleeping in his crate, and the daily routine
Another thing is he is trained to go in one area in the yard and whenever we are out somewhere, I have to convince him that he can go in a spot, so the first day there took some convincing
thanks for your input much appreciated
as I said if he still isn't 'normal' on Monday I'll make an appointment.
He did eat better today and did have some bursts of mischievous energy!