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Dog Anorexia


My dog was vomiting about 1 month ago and lethargic.  I took him to the emergency vet clinic and they did an Xray, which was inconclusive.  They sent me to a specialist center to have an ultrasound done.  The specialist looked at him and felt that the Xray was inconclusive due to bad technique and recommended leaving him overnight for observation.  He didn't vomit, they put him on some bland food and he seemed to improve over the next week or so.

Then, he began urinating in the house.  I was concerned about this because it's highly abnormal behavior for him.  I took him back to the emergency vet, who prescribed ciprofloxacin for him (750 mg), 2 pills per day.  The urination inside stopped immediately.  However, he HATED the pills.  He stopped eating entirely 3-4 days into the antiobitic.  I became concerned but continued to give him the pills.  After the 9th day (only 2 pills left), I called his regular vet and asked what he thought about me discontinuing the antiobitc.  He said I should go ahead and quit.

He started eating, very very small amounts a few days later.  That's all he continues to do at this point.  I took him out of town for the weekend last weekend and he acted very strange when he wasn't at home.  He was pacing, very out of it and nonresponsive.  He vomited several times.  I gave him pepcid, which seems to stop the vomiting.

I then brought him home (Sunday).  It is now Wednesday.  He hasn't vomited at all in that time.  He's still pacing quite a bit but he's pretty responsive to me, although he seems depressed and not himself.  I took him back to the Vet, had an ultrasound, cbc and a fecal exam done.  All came back with no findings.  He is still barely eating at all.  I've been making him boiled chicken and he eats it but won't eat rice.  The vets I have taken him to seem to have no further options for me.  
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your answer and you were on the right track.  He did have an endoscopy done today by a specialist and they have located irritation in his stomach lining.  I'm waiting for test results now but it does look like some sort of allergic reaction they think.

Thank you!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for your answer and you were on the right track.  He did have an endoscopy done today by a specialist and they have located irritation in his stomach lining.  I'm waiting for test results now but it does look like some sort of allergic reaction they think.

Thank you!
Helpful - 0
234713 tn?1283526659
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Unless your dog is a Mastiff, Great Dane,  or other giant breed dog, the dose of Cipro prescribed for your dog may have been a bit on the high side.  I usually use 250 mg of Cipro for a 60-70 pound dog.  However, the side effects of the Cipro should have subsided by now.

Since the problem with your dog began as a vomiting issue did any of the vets discuss performing endoscopy, a barium study, or special dietary regiman?  Did they discuss the possibility of food allergy gastritis?  Did they mention giving your dog a medication called Celexa or Reglan, (or other medication that are anti-nausea and vomiting) medications?  Although the pepcid did help your dog keep down his food he may still be a bit nauseaous and this could be the reason for the decreased appetite.  

It is fine not to give your dog rice.  There is a dietary trend in veterinary medicine these days, to eliminate grains from dogs and cats diets.  Dogs and cats do very well with out grains, since grains have been shown to increase inflammation and some dogs may be allergic to grains.  You can feed your dog a home-made diet without problems as long as you include green leafy vegetables, sweet potato and give a vitamin and mineral supplement.  My favorite vitamin and mineral supplement is Missing Link, available at some vets, pet stores,  or online.  If you are unable to find Missing Ling you can instead give a good chewable childrens multi-vitamin to your dog.  One children's vitamin for every 30 pounds body weight; use brands such as Twinlab or Solgar.  

There are also commercial hypoallergenic diets, such as venison, fish, or rabbit and potato that would be suitable if it turns out that your dog does have food allergy gastritis.

Lastly,  there are board certified Internal Medical and/or  gastroenterologist veterinary specialists that should be able to help your dog.  These specialists can be found at referral veterinary hospitals and Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, check the AVMA website.

Holistic vets may also be able to help.  Check online for a holistic vet at the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association website or the Chi Veterinary Institute website,  TCVM.com
Helpful - 1

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