My Bichon Frise underwent a perineal hernia repair last Tuesday (19th) ...he had his last meal on the Sunday previous to that and went to animal hospital on Monday for tests before op. We had him home on Thursday but he wouldn't eat. He was re-admitted to hospital on Saturday and was syringe fed. Up until today he point blank refuses to eat. All his blood tests, x-rays, scans etc are clear. He is presenting as a healthy 11 year old dog. Everyone is stumped. They are now talking about tube feeding!! Has anyone ever come across a dog that just won't eat for no apparent reason? We have tried tempting him with everything under the sun. The hospital say he is quiet when in his cage but when they take him for a walk he is bright and cheerful. They also let him wander round the ward and he is perfectly happy. I really don't want to go down the road of having a tube inserted...neither does the surgeon but what can we do? Would love to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation. Many thanks in advance forumites!!

Jay

I could be way off base here, but as a very small dog, going without food for such a long time is likely to have affected his blood sugar.  If it gets low, it can make you feel sick - especially when faced with food!   

Haver you tried giving some glucose water ?   You might have to syringe some into his mouth at first, just a few teaspoons ;)    Then give it about half an hour before offering some tasty food, warmed-up will tempt his nose.     Right now, I'd be giving him whatever his favourite food is, the one he'd sell his soul for ;-)

I make it up at 2 teaspoons to half a pint of water. 

Hi Dill,

Thanks for answering my querie. He is in the animal hospital at the moment but will certainly try that if they let him home before going down the tube route! We tempted him with everything we could think of...dog and human food, including baby food...to no avail. Just feel helpless at the minute. The hospital are syringe feeding him but now he knows what is coming it is becoming more and more difficult. He did take a few licks of apple and pear baby food so you may be right on the sugar thing, but then he point blank refused to take it again. When a place like an animal hospital is stumped it is rather worrying!!

The problem with animal hospitals and vets is that they don't know your pet like you do ;-)     It could well be that he is in pain from the OP and will start to eat once the stitches are out ;)  I know if I had an OP 'there' I'd not be thinking of eating much ;)

Has he been known to refuse food before?   How is his weight?   Can you feel his ribs or do you have to dig for them?  

Personally, I'd have him home - if only for a day or two.    Being away from his family in a strange place is unlikely to help his appetite no matter how kind they are to him.  

IMO,
You would be just as able to syringe feed him at home as they are, but it's more likely that he'll start eating after being syringe fed at home ;-)   

Is there no particular food that he really likes?   I know with mine, some fresh mince or Liver, with garlic and herbs will get them excited, as will cooked thai chicken with chilli and coconut!!!  Not that they get this for a meal but they do like our left overs and that REALLY gets them excited ;)  and I know that if they had little appetite that they'd have a go at that :-)

could his mouth and throat be sore from the tube for the ventilation when under anaesthetic?? or getting sore if tubes are being put down on and off. this would make him hesitant in swallowing.
will he drink? try some nice cold goats milk perhaps.

Hi Dill,

The Vet called last night and they are going to give him an appetite stimulant, if this works we will get him home today. If this doesn't work they will send him home for a couple of days to see if being home helps...if not he has to get a tube inserted...something that neither we nor the vet want. Luckily he has a little bit of weight in reserve so is not turning to skin and bone, you really have to dig down to feel his ribs. We have tried everything to coax him to eat...including all his favourites but nothing is tempting him. Have decided when he comes home to return everything to normal...no overly babying him and just put the food in his bowl and leave it as usual hoping that the fact we are not paying him too much attention that he may eat. Running out of ideas now though!

Hi Lorripop,

It has been over a week now since his op so I don't think his throat would be hurting now. He is drinking which is good. Hopefully we will get some good news today...fingers crossed. The vet is stumped as all the tests, x-rays and scans they have done have shown a completely healthy dog so there is no physical reason why he has stopped eating. He is also being taken for walks and is quite happy and bright when out and about and interacting with other dogs...just a mystery!!

If he's drinking, then a tasty soup made from cooked chicken(and the skin) whizzed up with warm milk and a pinch of garlic+herbs, will help to feed him and get him interested in food :-)

My guess is that he'll start eating when he's ready and being at home in his usual routine will help that. 

Well, just got the call...picking him up at 5.15pm. Still not eating  but they are going to try him at home until Friday if there is no change by then it's the feeding tube! Will definitely give the chicken soup a try Dill...thank you so much. I think at times like this you just need to talk to some like minded people and I do appreciate it very much. Will update on Friday...again many thanks to both you and Lorripop!

When Roxy was really poorly she had heinz cream of chicken soup.  I realise it was probably the wrong thing and salt levels and all sorts but it was all she would eat and boy did she eat it!

Hello Everyone,

Well got the boy home last night and he is still not eating. We have until tomorrow at 11am to get him to eat...if not it's feeding tube. He has a sniff of what we offer and then turns his back on you. Beginning to think he is depressed...is that possible? All he wants to do is lie in bed with his head under the blanket. Took some ice cream out of the freezer this morning as he loves it. He did run up to me and I though aha he is going to eat this. A little sniff and off he went. Everyone is completely stumped!!

Don't freak out at this, but...
Looking at it from his perspective, his people left him at the vets, where he went to sleep and woke up sore and confused, then his people left him at the vets AGAIN!  for longer, where they tried to force-feed him, now he's home.  At the very least he's likely to be confused, possibly a little depressed, or worried it might happen again.  His throat may feel raw or like there's something in it, from the tube they put i to help him breathe.  No-one can explain why, because he doesn't speak english.  As I said, don't freak out.  This is not a judgement of you, but trying to see things as he experienced them ;)

How is the OP site looking?   It could be that he is uncomfortable there, does he let you touch it? has he had a poo yet?  how did that go?  how does he normally cope with pain?  Is he stoical, or a Diva?   Small dogs can be iffy/picky about eating, and if in pain may not want to eat.

I think I'd try a play session or two and then cook up some nice smelly Liver - chicken livers are cheap and tasty - for dinner and then 'accidentally' leave some where he can steal it :-)   Is he more likely to want something you're eating?

If that fails, you could try dabbing the pureed food or ice cream on his nose for him to lick off, surprising how this can break the cycle ;)

I'm curious as to why the vets are so insistent on using the feeding tube after such a short time?   From what you say, your dog is well covered and has plenty in reserve, so I'd be asking for more time.   This "24 hours or he gets a feeding tube" is a lot of pressure for you, and your dog will be picking up on that.  You can just as easily syringe feed him for a while, until he's feeling more himself.  How will the feeding tube work ?  will you be shown how to use it?   how will they make him keep it in?   Putting it in every day will be traumatic for both of you and there's a risk of it not going into the stomach but into the lungs.   Having had a prem baby who had to have a feeding tube for 3 months, I know it's not easy to keep them from removing it daily, how would a dog be prevented?

I have had this with a half -grown Burmese kitten after bowel surgery (cats are notorious for not eating after bowel surgery)  and with my old Afghan X when he had Parvo. The vets never suggested a feeding tube.   I syringe fed him for 6 weeks, until he was ready to nibble at food himself ;)  At first it was just with a honey and salt mixture every two hours, to keep him hydrated and keep his glucose up, then when he was on the mend, with chicken broth (with garlic, rosemary + thyme) and honey, progressing to pureed chicken with honey.   Honey being very good for keeping up blood sugar and healing in general.  So I know it can be done ;)  When syringing liquid or food, you put it into the corner of the mouth between the teeth and cheek and give just a tiny amount at a time allowing the dog to swallow it before the next bit.

Hope you get something into him today.

> Beginning to think he is depressed...is that possible?

it is possible. Its also possible that his throat was sore and it hurt last time to eat so he's worried. Also inadvertantly you are stressing about him not eating.

I hope he eats soon. I used a gruel recipe with my bitch after whelping, she was only eating RC starter mouse by hand (which is worth trying as it is really appealing to them)

If he is drinking would he drink some water you have boiled rice in?  Lots of starchy goodness in that and at least there is some nutrition in it.

Would he by the same token lap at melted ice cream?

I definitely think possibly leaving these sort of things lying around so he can steal them might be a good incentive to eat too.

Wow Dill! In all honesty I know that is probably what he thinks. And to make it all worse it looks like we will be taking him back to hospital again tomorrow.

Been unable to syringe feed...really would like to keep my fingers... starting to feel a bit of a failure to be honest.

As far as I am aware he will be anaethetised and the tube inserted through his neck. We will be shown how to feed him through it. I assumed it would be a semi permanent thing, I think they are hoping that if they do this we can get some calories in him and over time as he will be home he will start feeding on his own... didn't think dogs were able to remove it! Another worry! The hospital really don't want to do it but they seem to think it is the way to go.

Have tried absolutely everything. Leaving different things around and just ignoring him but he is just not interested. He loves ice cream and although he did show some interest in it when I got the tub from the freezer, once he had a sniff he just turned his back! Trying not to get too uptight but it is really difficult.

Thanks again everyone for your suggestions...I really appreciate it!

Jay

Is your dog on some sort of pain relief after the op? I had a cat who had an abdominable exploratory op (sizeable cut). I had all sorts of issues getting him to eat. Looking back on it now I think he must have been in pain but no pain relief was offered. A human who gets an abdominal op. would expect pain relief so I don't see why an animal should be different especially as they can't tells us they are in pain.

Hope he eats soon. We all worry terribly about out furkids.

Pain killers stopped yesterday. To be honest he isn't showing signs of being in pain, although I understand they can be good at hiding it. His wound is healing perfectly and you can touch it without any problem! I suppose, like with human babies, it is a hit and a miss as they can't tell you what is wrong. It is so frustrating and we have had two departments in the hospital investigating this and both have come up with nothing! The vet taking care of him said they have a few patients whom the surgeons and nurses talk about every morning, my dog is one of them and they are all stumped!! Decided to ignore him for a while and see what happens.

>As far as I am aware he will be anaethetised and the tube inserted through his neck. We will be shown how to feed him through it. I assumed it >would be a semi permanent thing, I think they are hoping that if they do this we can get some calories in him and over time as he will be home he >will start feeding on his own... didn't think dogs were able to remove it! Another worry! The hospital really don't want to do it but they seem to >think it is the way to go.

Crikey!  I never even thought that they would have done this, was thinking more of the Naso Gastric Tube which is a temporary tube.   Or a tube through the mouth.  Not sure whether he would be able to remove the one you have mentioned, but I'd have other worries about it and want to know ALL the pros and cons ;)

Have you tried putting food on his nose, front paws and just letting him lick it off?  You could get a surprising amount into him that way ?   warm milk with honey in his bowl?

Must admit, I've never had a dog or cat who would bite me under these circumstances how do you manage to give him a worming tablet? 

What appetite stumulant did they give him?   Did it work?

Wondering if a little competition would work?   Does he have any doggy friends, who could walk with you both and then give tidbits together?

Exactly Dill...not nice, hence the reason everyone wants to avoid it! What questions would you be asking if it was you in this situation.

He doesn't normally bite...gets a bit grumpy when he is groomed and you touch his feet. Think he has just had enough. The vet was sayinging it was becoming more and more difficult for them to syringe feed too. If he was eating we would have no problem getting medications, worm tablets etc into him. We are well versed as his brother has epilepsy! You see how much fun it is in this household! :0)

Have you thought of trying to offer COMPLAN? As he is drinking, he just may take it.  Poorly dogs will often be tempted with FROLIC, even if we don't think it is particularly good. Most dogs would do anything for a piece of Frolic.

Can you get hold of a couple of pouches of F4D salmon or trout mousse? I gave that to a dog who'd had Bloat and he was totally off all foods.

When another dog was off her food I used a bit of reverse psychology - fed other dogs in her presence but didn't offer her a bowl. Then, got the other dogs out of the room and left a bowl of food on the coffee table. She went over to sniff it and seemed interested so I took it away. After a little while I put the bowl back and she went up to the bowl and started eating, it was tinned rice pud, but it did kick start the process.

Good luck, it's very worrying isn't it?

Hello Everyone,

SUCCESS!!!!...we got him to eat at long last!!! We had a little bubble afterwards too. So relieved!!Beef Olives was the answer, why? I have absolutely no idea. Tonight was the first time I had made these for dinner in months and as soon as we started eating Harry was over looking for some. So he has had the steak and a little bit of the sausage meat. I would have bought fillet steak and Caviar if I had thought it would help. So have to call the vet tomorrow and cancel the appointment for the feeding tube...I think he will be as relieved as we are as he really didn't want to do it. Obviously not out of the woods yet but fingers crossed he keeps eating.  At least someone likes my cooking!! :0)

Just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone for their suggestions...it really did help keep us sane. I really can't say how much we appreciate all the kind words. Will update next week and let you know how he goes...again HUGE THANKS!!!

Oh what a relief.  Honestly - if it's enough to make you suspect that they know exactly when the 11th hour is . . . I am really glad - I am sure things will improve very rapidly now.

Well done - no one can ever say anything bad about your cooking again - apparently it is a lifesaver!!

So glad to hear he's thawing out on the food problem :-D    

Can well understand you having a bit of a blub - I would too ;-)

It would seem he wants novel rather than familiar food, and obviously your cooking has done wonders :-)    

So glad to hear he's eating again - is the recovery still going well?

i always have some tins of Liquivite (liquid food, like a soup) handy for any digestive problems.

Hello Everyone,

Thought I would update you on Harry. Well we went back to the animal hospital on Monday and he had his stitches removed, had another scan and some blood tests and ...all came back clear. Although he still wasn't eating dog food they allowed him to come back home with us. Tuesday morning, I swear it was as though someone had flicked a switch. He had his breakfast (dog food) and never looked back!! He is eating normally now, playing, running around the garden, mooching for everyones food...everything is back to the way it was pre-op!! If you didn't see his baldy behind you would never believe anything had happened to him LOL.

I wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone for taking the time to answer my query and give me lots of ideas to try...I really do appreciate it! Keep up the good work forumites!!!

Jay (One happy owner!)  :0)

Glad he has bounced back

Maybe the stitches were bothering him and he didn't feel right till they were gone

So glad he's bounced back :-)

Sounds like it was the stitches, or one of them, bothering him.   And who could blame him?  Just imagine if you had that op and the stitch/es were uncomfortable

Onwards and upwards for the little chap now :-D