not eating

[siemanoski]

I am taking care of my neighbors' dog while they are away.  He is a yorkshire terrier.  He hasn't eaten in two days and I don't know whats wrong.  He seems to be loosing his balance sometimes but not falling over.  He is an older dog.  He had a little diarhhea.  My mom suggested maybe he is lonely because his father just died but I don't think so because that was a few months ago and I have taken care of him since then and he was fine.  I called his owners and the dad said to try giving him a different flavor of his food but I have already tried two flavors. =( Please tell me what could pssibly be wrong and if I should take him to a vet.

[chihuahuagrandma]

Be careful, I would try at least a little cottage cheese mixed in w/ food...

[siemanoski]

Thanks so much.  I just talked to the owner again and he said it is not unusual for the dog to not eat for 2 or 3 days.  So I will try again tomorrow.  Thanks again for answering.

[chihuahuagrandma]

Little dogs like the size and breed of Yorkie's can really make themselves upset, while the owner is away, and fairly common they will not eat and start w/intestinal upset(running stool) from being entirely upset...
Yes, go ahead to vet asap, for better to be safe than sorry...
Try some baby meat food jars, little tiny meat only jars and try that, also try cottage cheese a couple of tsps full....boil some chicken livers (I know they are yuck) but, to dogs thats a real treat...if he participates in eating,,,then he could just be homesick and/or finicky, and mix the livers/cottagecheese/babyfood in w/the dog food to flip him back onto his food, and steadily wean him back off...
A lot of people suggest boiling chicken and rice mixture...
But, you really should check in w/vet, dogs can dehydrate q uick, espcially a little yorkie, watch the color of gums and tongue, don't let them get red, and watch the breathing, look out for a lot of panting, and check the texture,color, times of the stools..make good mental notes of everything...
I am sorry I missed you posted comment earlier, we do welcome you very much to the dog forum, and please keep us posted...