Question about dog not eating

[hski2349]

 My dog is not eating a whole lot.  She will not eat her normal food (Blue Buffalo Salmon and Potato) which she has been eating for months. She will eat some wet food.  When my daughter drops food, the dog is right there ready to eat it. (I am trying to beat the dog to it, but don't always).  She has been throwing up some too.  I am at a loss at this point.  This has never happened with her.  It has been going on for a couple of days, and I am ready to call the vet.  I am hoping some of you may have some insight or ideas. 

Update:  I went and saw Lola today at lunch.  She had a cone on, her belly was wrapped, and she had a drain.  Overall, she looked much better than when she was dropped off.  Her color was back she was wagging her tail when she saw me and gave me kisses.  She is still moving slow and looks tired, understandably.  She backed up into me and mostly just wanted to be rubbed.  The receptionist told me that everybody loves and her and she loves giving them kisses.  So that made me happy.  She continues to remain stable, and they are going to start a liquid diet in hopes that that will prompt her to eat.  Overall, I am just happy she looks so much better.  It is a much better picture than the way she was when she was dropped off.  

Thanks to everybody for asking and keep up with her.  I really appreciate it.  

Update 7/8 -  I talked to the doc this morning.  They did not need to place the feeding tube because Lola started eating on her own.  Now that she is slowing starting to eat, they are starting to switch her iv meds to oral meds.  They said she is obviously feeling better, still probably not her normal, but much better and happier.  They said if everything goes well today that she can come home tomorrow.  These are great steps.  There is still a chance that something does not heal correctly inside, but overall everything is going well and her body is doing everything it is supposed.    

[peppermint]

I'd say this warrants a phone call to the vet. Good luck and keep us posted!

[niemand88f]

Yes call the vet, it could just be the dog being picky or eating too fast (my cats randomly decide they hate flavors they used to love, and one throws up when she eats too fast), but it could also be something else the vet needs to determine.

[G22]

I definitely say call the vet. Our GSD started turning his nose up at his food and throwing up several times a week. We got him checked out at the vet, they did b/w and xrays. Turns out he has built up an allergy to the proteins he has been exposed to (I don't remember the official name of this). We had to go to a bland diet and then will slowly transition him to a new type of protein soon. But once we started feeding the bland diet, he was like a new dog. And no more vomiting!

ETA: Not saying this is what your dog has. Just that we never would have guessed this was our issue, so getting checked at the vet is a good idea.

[hski2349]

@g22 That is good news. I hope this could be some like that with Lola. I made an appointment and she is going to be dropped off at the vet tomorrow morning to be checked out. I am crossing my fingers that it is nothing too serious.

[cmeon]

Is she big on eating things that aren't food? Her breed is notorious for that, so intestinal blockage is where my mind goes- I hope she's already home and on the mend, though! She's a cutie!

[hski2349]

She is back home and just laying next to the fan sleeping. The vet did blood work and her liver levels were a little high, so they did more blood work that will be sent away. The also gave her some medicine since her liver levels we elevated, and gave her something similar to pepcid AA, to help with the acid in her stomach and should help with the throwing up. The doc said her stomach felt soft and there was no sign of pain so they doubt it is a blockage, and she has not gotten in to anything that I know of.

[G22]

In the early stages of figuring out our GSD's issues, the vet had us try Pepcid. That didn't do much, so then he had us try Prilosec. That barely helped too.

I hope the other bloodwork gives you some better answers!

[Deleted]

Good luck. I hope the bloodwork gave you some more insight. We had this problem with our elderly basset, who also loved food. She had pancreatitis.

[hski2349]

@julesf Lola is back at the vet and they are doing the pancreatits test.

They also want her to spend the night at an er vet because they want her to get iv fluids. I am sick right now. I just want her to feel better and get some answers. Hopefully the fluids will help her feel better.

[peppermint]

Hope Lola is feeling better today and you get some answers. Hugs

[G22]

hski2349 how is Lola doing? I hope your getting some answers to her problems. Poor pup.

[hski2349]

@g22 - Not good. She went to the ER vet last night and they found a blockage in her intestine. (I am livid at her vet, which is part of a pet store chain, that said there was no way she had a blockage, but that is another problem that will be handled after Lola is taken care of). They had to remove part of her intestine and she has a major infection. She is still at the hospital and doing well considering. The ER vet was actually amazed how well she looked considering what was going on inside of her body. She was even chasing rabbits yesterday, which is pretty amazing. She is a stubborn bulldog, so I hope her stubborn nature will help her fight through and come back to us.

I have no idea what she got. The vet said it looked like carpet but nothing has been torn up in the house. I am at a complete loss. The vet said they kept it so I can look at it. I feel like a horrible dog parent, and feel like I did not take care of her the was I was supposed to. At this point we hope she will pull through, but there is a chance she may not. My main concern is not to make her suffer. Any good vibes anybody can send her way will be greatly appreciated.

One more thing - we will be getting her  and any future pets a new vet.  It could have been an honest mistake, but the fact that the vet was adamant that it was not a blockage is what bothers me. 

[mrsd2006]

Oh no I'm sorry to hear that. I hope she get to feeling better soon.

[cmeon]

Well, shit- sometimes I hate being right, and this time is one of them!

I'm really glad you got a second opinion (even though it was an ER vet)- I have a horrible opinion of Banfield vet practices, so I'll support your "get out of there" with a vengeance- but, don't be hard on yourself.

I don't know if anyone is still around from long enough ago to remember Jen of Max (and Bellona) fame, but, I still remember all her tales of that guy (another American Bulldog, IRRC). He had a fondness for baby socks at one point, but, wasn't really particular.

I've known several bullies in real life, and while they are all big sweetie pies, they are underwear thieves, rock eaters, and poop out the weirdest things! Definitely a challenge for their families.

I hope she bounces back very quickly, and that she learned that whatever she got into just isn't worth it. Poor girl!

[hski2349]

cmeon - I wish you were not right either. American Bulldogs are crazy but they are they biggest sweetie pies.

I did just get an update in the past hour. She is doing ok. They are working on getting her fluid levels just right. It is more about get the proteins right, and the doc said it can take some time. But her blood pressure and other vitals have been strong today. they were also able to get her up and take her outside and she was able to pee. She walked out on her own. It makes me happy that she got some fresh air. I will probably go and visit her tomorrow. The doc said it is hard from some owners to see their dogs with the drains and all wrapped. But I just need see her and give her a kiss, and let her know I love her.

Our last Banfield was great, then we moved. I have not been too impressed with this one from the beginning. But after this, I am out of there. I will go and talk to their manager at some point, but I need to collect my thoughts so I don't go in acting like a lunatic. And I will recommend against Banfield to anybody whoever asks.

[G22]

Oh man poor Lola. I'm glad you followed your gut and took her to the E vet. I hope she continues to improve though.

I also would be finding a new vet if they missed that. I wouldn't feel comfortable taking my pets somewhere that ruled out something that turned out to be true.

[peppermint]

Thanks for the updates on sweet Lola! I hope she continues to improve and is back home with you very soon! Good job following your gut in this situation. It's so hard to know what's going on with our fur babies, it's times like this you wish they could tell you what's wrong. Keep us posted on her progress!

[seabitch]

Good news indeed on Lola. She will be so happy to get home with you!

[sparrowgreen]

So glad she's doing better! How scary