Dog not eating

[Alfie777]

Hi yesterday my dog was attacked by my other dog over a toy. I broke it up in about 5 seconds but unfortunately the vet said he must have grabbed and pulled as her skin was separated from her muscle. They had to do surgery last night and she has drains in her in 2 places plus she was stitched on her front underarm and her eyelid. I can't believe how quick it happened. She is 13 and the other dog is 3.

Now, the problem is that she won't eat anything although she is drinking water. I called the vet and she told me to keep trying to feed her. Usually, she is a real chow hound. I've tried so many foods and she just won't eat. She is on pain meds and also clavamox (sp??). Any suggestions?

Also, I watched the youtube video's on how to give a dog a pill as usually I can put it in food. So it looks really easy on youtube but my dog keeps her jaws clenched tight and when I finally get her mouth open she starts shaking her head so it's hard to give her the medication.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Alfie

[rebeccarn2b]

I had a similar incident with my miniature beagle but it wasn't a small attack.  He ended up with a LOT of holes and lacerations, 2 surgeries and multiple wound dehiscence.  Any how I understand your pain in trying to get the pill down.  My Bailey can smell it and once I got it down he would hack it up.  It was awful, I knew he needed the meds and he was not having it.  I tried a number of tricks like stuffing it in cheese, hot dogs and such.  The problem was it would only work once.  He would figure it out and not take it again, he could smell the pill in whatever I put it in until...  I was running out of things to put it in and found a tin of tuna.  I put a small amount in my hand the pill on top and then more tuna.  Voila! a tuna meat ball.  I think they can't smell past the fish.  Don't really know but it works.  

P.S.  Try regular over the counter Pepcid for upset stomach.  I had to give that too.

[Ghilly]

It's possible that the pain meds and clavamox have her stomach somewhat upset, and also, even with the pain meds, after being severely attacked AND having surgery she's probably very uncomfortable.  She should start to show some improvement in a day or two as she starts to heal.  I would get whatever her favorite food is and give her some.  Right now, give her anything she will eat just to keep up her strength.  A good vitamin supplement right now would also be helpful.  

If she is still not eating in a day or two, I would take her back to the vet and let them check her out to make sure that everything is OK, and that it's just a combination of everything that is putting her off her feed.  Good luck, and please keep us posted!

Ghilly