I know this is a late answer but I do not believe the B-12 would be supplemented daily just to boost the appetite. There are other things in the vitamins specified for humans and dogs do not necessarily need them or may not be able to handle as we can. Which is why we never recommend a human drug for a dog at our clinic. Giving table food is an extreme NO NO in ANY case, it takes just one time for them to catch a pancreatitis from ingesting table food and your out about $1000 for a vet bill at least, and is very life threatening for the dog, especially if left untreated. Milk should not be an option either. Dogs cannot digest dairy products properly and will cause extreme intestinal discomfort and constipation/diarrhea etc. The possibilities are never in your favor. A dog will never starve itself as long as food is available. If there is an extreme need for your dog to eat at that very minute your vet will let you know but as long as you have food available to the dog it WILL eat when it is hungry.
Dogs generally loved cooked salmon, and cooked bacon, and liver, (raw or very lightly cooked). You shouldn't have much problem getting your dog to eat these items(!) Also, Walmart carries frozen buffalo patties, (6 per box) in the people section - dogs love that raw, or warmed 30 sec in microwave, (anti-biotic and hormone free).
Doxycycline can cause really painful GI problems is used more than a week. Speaking from experience!!! Your dogs gastrointestinal trac might need some attention to feel better. You could start giving some plain yogurt on the side, (don't use anything flavored with artificial sweetners as can be poisonous to dogs)... Also, get some "SUPER DIGESTIVE ENZYMES" by GNC. These things can REALLY help to get your dogs digestive system back on trac, (no pun intended).
Thank you so much !
I will definitely try the boiled chicken and steamed fish. Little Cookie loves chicken, I know that for certain.
Fresh air- running, and jumping in the sun... she so misses that. For the past two weeks she's been shut in in the cold weather that seems to have us in it's permanent grip here. Today... 33 with a 29 degree wind chill. And Cookie normally loves to go out and run !
I did manage to find a post in another pet-care forum about the protein shakes, and they mentioned exactly what you did- about the additives. And they advised against it, suggesting, instead puppy food for extra protein.
I'll definitely give our vet a call, and get her some liquid B12.
Thank you again for your help and advice.
Poor Cookie!
B12 would be the same vitamin whether for dogs or humans. But you would need to get the right dosage for her. I'm afraid I don't know what that is, so I would say yes, ask the vet about it. I am sure he could tell you, and maybe over the phone, so you wouldn't need to be charged for a consultation to get an answer.
About the protein shakes....again I don't know for sure. They may have additives or sweeteners or something which are not good for dogs (Xylitol, for example is toxic for dogs) I don't know obviously, if the shakes have stuff like this in them. Hopefully someone else will post who knows. Again you could ask the vet about this.
Have you tried tempting Cookie with a little boiled chicken? Or a little steamed fish? You are right you need to jump-start her appetite if possible. Exercise in the fresh air will help if she's well enough. Hopefully once she starts eating again it will take off and she'll get her appetite back. I hope so.
Milk isn't such a good idea for dogs. They can't process lactose. It can give them digestive upsets.