What can I do to give my dog an appetite?

[arlenee]

I have a female dog named Cocoa.  A week ago she started vomiting 2 to 4 times a day.  We took her to the vet.  She had blood work, urinalysis, exrays, barium exrays.  They found nothing.  The last 4 days her appetite has gone down to nothing.  She weighed 10.4 lbs a week and a half ago, now 8 pounds.  She stopped vomitting yesterday.  That was a breakthrough.  How do we get her to eat?  The next step is an endoscopy.  We are very worried.  Any thoughts on what might be causing this?

[ginger899]

Has she had an x-ray which included her throat? The reason I'm asking is there could be something stuck in her throat or esophagus.

Another thought is, what kind of food does she normally get? Had there been any changes in her food last week which might have set off the vomiting? Could this be a food allergy? Has she got into anything which could be toxic?

With all her test reults coming back negative, this is a bit of a mystery. Hopefully someone else here can suggest things which might have been missed.

I suppose you have tried everything, but if her vomiting has stopped, and in the absence of a diagnosis, try to get her interested in eating. You could try some lean meat or fish, or chicken, and cook it for her (no seasonings) Also make sure she has plenty to drink.

[arlenee]

The next step is the exray of her throat.  She did start vomiting again.  No changes in food given except the Doc said to give soft ID food.  No matter what I have tried to give to her, no luck.  I took her down to the Florida Vertrinary Specialists today.  They want to watch over her and give her more tests.  She will be staying there for the next 2 nights.  Yes this is a mystery.  When I do find out something I will definitely let you know.  She has been drinking her water faithfully.  She has been chix breast, rice sometimes and vegetables.  I also have some hard organic food when she wants to crunch on something.  The Dr. said my diet was fine.  

[Ghilly]

Have your vet do an ultrasound if one has not already been done.  It's possible your dog has something called an intussusception, which is a condition where the intestine telescopes back over onto itself.  Vomiting, unthriftiness and weight loss are the primary symptoms.  Ask him if he thinks this could be a possibility.  The only way to repair it is surgically, but it is life threatening, so it's best to try to rule it out ASAP before she goes downhill any further.

Ghilly

[arlenee]

An ultrasound was done a couple of days ago to find out my Cocoa has lymphoma cancer.  It is a terminal cancer.  I am doing my best to get her to eat.  She has already started chemotherapy.  Every wednesday she will have it for the next 16 weeks.  I will let you all know how it goes.  Everyone please pray for Cocoa.  She is only 61/2 years old.   Thank you to all.

[Jaybay]

I'm so sorry.  That's a real blow for you both, and you're in my prayers.  Please keep us posted on her progress.

[Ghilly]

I am so sorry to hear that you have received this devastating news!  I will keep both Cocoa and you in my prayers.  

Ghilly

[ginger899]

I'm sorry too. Poor Cocoa. I'll say a prayer for you and her. It's a tough time. But let's hope the chemo beats it! And if the vet can also give her an anti-nausea drug, that might help her through as well.
God bless. Ginger

[arlenee]

Thank you all so much for your prayers.  We sure do need them.  She is not vomiting any where near like she was because of the anti-nausea drug but she doesn't have an appetite at all.  She might take a few bites and thats it.  If anyone know of anything that might help her eat, please let me know.  Thanks for any information.

[ginger899]

Would she eat wholemeal toast, toasted slow, or twice, so it is crunchy? You could add a little low fat cream cheese to it?