Border Collie Not eating

[nicandgeorge]

We have a 11 year old male Border Collie, he's not eaten for 5 days, just drinks a little water with electrolites in, the vet gave him anti-biotics and an anti sickness and dihorea solution but hes certainly not improved over the last 3 days, he struggles to walk and he cant stand for more than a few seconds, the vet prescribed some Hills prescription tinned meat which he told us to offer after a couple of days, he sniffs and walks away, but he did take a doggie treat, but this is very worrying, we paid a £107.00 for a diagnosis that anyone fool could have arrived at (Gastroenteritis), but i'm now doubtful and have no faith in the venernary practice

[TwoBitsMom]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your dog tonight.....
Please let us know how things go.
Connie

[tonyb286]

It's good to know you are getting him to the vet first-thing tomorrow. I would try to keep a close eye on him tonight if you can. It may be he wants to stay outside because he's afraid of pooping/vomiting inside again. Or it could be he's trying to find somewhere to fade away ... depends just how serious his condition actually is. If possible, bring him inside rather than leaving him outside tonight. Tony

[nicandgeorge]

Thank you, I shall be taking him to the vets first thing tomorrow, he is still refusing food, tried him with boiled chicken & rice, besides his own biscuit with a drop of gravy.

I am using a syring (without the needle) to force water down him, hes looking very vacant, he just stands by the back door to go out, he is just sleeping in the garden and wont come in.

[TwoBitsMom]

Yes, Tony is right...you need to get your dog to another vet.
His kidney function, as well as his liver function need to be checked.
Your dog is a senior, and because of his age, these tests should be done yearly. Now, given the added fact that he is showing signs of sickness, I would suggest you have these done.  He may just have a bad case of gastroentertis, but his age would make me wonder if his symptoms are due to an age related disease, simple kidney and liver functions will better assess your dogs overall condition.  If it is gastroenteritis, then typically antibiotics should help your dog feel better, in about 48 hours, give or take a day.
You said he took a biscuit, but turned his nose up at the prescribed dog food.  Try using his normal dog food, and see if he will eat it.
If he is not drinking or eating better, you need to get him back to the vet tomorrow.
In the meantime, encourage him to eat, and even more importantly, do your best to get some fluids into him. You could try giving him some broth, or chicken noodle soup, veggie beef soup...
Best of luck...let us know how things are going.
Connie

[tonyb286]

Ok, this is now urgent ... it may be the vet is right and I really hope he is, but your dog not eating for 5 days puts him in a severe malnutrition event that needs dealing with straight away, and even more so due to his age.

Get your dog to an alternative vet as soon as you possibly can. Make sure they take blood for testing and get them to check for kidney function. It could be many things other than gastroenteritis, and you need to know exactly what it is that is ailing him, otherwise how can it be treated.

In the meantime, get hold of some Green Tripe from your pet store (they sell it in tinned form as well as frozen blocks, but the frozen blocks need cooking). Warning - it stinks to high heaven, but all dogs love it and it's full of nutrition and will give your dog the much needed energy boost he needs. If he refuses it, try some cooked chicken meat or even baby food, basically anything at all that will give him some energy.

Please get back to us so we know what you have done and how your dog is, but consider getting him to another vet as the topmost priority. Check back as often as you can, as others will undoubtedly offer further suggestions. Tony