my dog wont eat

[akita1]

Hi all since last Friday my 3 year old male Akita has been totally disinterested in eating he ate his last full meal last Friday evening since then he has probably not eaten more than 3 meals in total he usually has 2 meals per day and has always had a good appetite he is drinking normally and seems otherwise to be in good shape when I put his bowl down or try to hand feed him he just walks away as if he does not know what to do the vets gave him a pretty thorough going over and did blood tests for thyroid/heart/electrolytes/pro-bnp blood test all normal has anyone come across this kind of thing before? if so it would be great to share if possible as I need to get to the bottom of this many thanks.

[ChrisNic]

Will he eat anything or just not his normal food?

Has there been a change in his food even just a change in the bag - our dog knows and has gone off food for a while.

[Derek Smith]

Any other unusual behaviour associated with the animal's behaviour? Is it still regular, as friendly, that sort of thing?

A couple of my dog's went off their food and in both cases it was to do with their mouth. The first time my dog did not like anyone opening its mouth and it took some effort to find a series of ulcers at the back of the throat. Antibiotics cleared it up, but via injections.

My last dog had a bad tooth, an infection at the root. I couldn't see it but the vet found a slightly increased temperature. After a couple of the tooth became raised slightly. I wouldn't have noticed it if I hand't studied the dog's mouth every day for a while. The tooth was loose. I went to the vet and he removed it by hand. The dog ate from the time it returned home.

So mouth problems is my experience.

[akita1]

Thanks for the prompt replies this problem came on pretty quick his mouth has been inspected by myself and the vet and could find nothing amiss I was playing tug of war yesterday and he was pulling me all over the garden so I think we can discount a problem with his mouth.

[Turn7]

Tried different foods ?

Also, somoething like liver sausage is usually irrisistible to dogs.

[akita1]

Hi turn 7 yes we tried a wide range of food we have just cooked a leg of lamb for him! when offered to him he just spits it out.

[Turn7]

Hmm, thats not great. Maybe Bex might be able to help ?

[condor]

Have you tried blending some food with water so it's runny ( bit like a soup)?

[Jasandjules]

Have you checked his teeth? Is he raw fed normally? If you give him raw mince will he eat it?

[akita1]

no not raw fed and wont touch blended food its just like someone has flicked a switch and turned of his ability to eat if I put his food down he will go straight out into the garden its like he is trying to get away from it.

[Jasandjules]

Toilet habits normal?

[akita1]

yes toilet habits ok.has been fine otherwise he has probably missed somewhere around 12 normal size meals to date but seems pretty much spot on physically enjoys his walks play etc.and has not lost any weight been weighed twice at the vets

[moorx]

Sounds like another visit to the vet is needed.

In the meantime, it might be worth trying oat cereal (like Readybrek) ideally made with goat's milk as it is more gentle on their stomach. Let it cool and/or dilute it so that he can lap it up. I've found this has worked before with dogs who have lost their appetite.

[MOBB]

One of ours wouldn't eat a lot of the time, turns out with meals and treats we were simply over feeding him

Cut his meals in half and he now always eats like a horse, and is as healthy as he has ever been :-)

[Jasandjules]

What is his weight like? Can you feel his ribs?

[bexVN]

He needs more investigating, ultrasound scan possibly xrays. If nothing on those then suspect behavioural.

Have you tried cat food? Even something like a sachet of whiskas!! Right now it is more important to work out whether its association issue with food (eg felt pain with eating last Friday now thinks something will hurt everytime) or just fussinesss etc rather than what you feed.

Also stick to 10 min rule, don't make too much fuss trying to get him to eat but maybe try a different bowl and feeding in a different room to where he last ate normally.

[230TE]

bexVN said:

He needs more investigating, ultrasound scan possibly xrays. If nothing on those then suspect behavioural.

Have you tried cat food? Even something like a sachet of whiskas!! Right now it is more important to work out whether its association issue with food (eg felt pain with eating last Friday now thinks something will hurt everytime) or just fussinesss etc rather than what you feed.

Also stick to 10 min rule, don't make too much fuss trying to get him to eat but maybe try a different bowl and feeding in a different room to where he last ate normally.

Is he neutered? I had one of my dogs (un-neutered male) go off his food for a few days due to an in-season bh in the neighbourhood.

[bexVN]

^^^good point, though 10 days on is pushing it.

[FiF]

Ours goes right off his food when he has a severe case of blue balls due to nearby bh in season. Although we do get other clues, constant crying to go out, nose absolutely welded to ground tracking her, much slobber ing when he finds a wee-mail. Although to be fair it's his normal kibble he goes off, if he went off his special Sunday roast dinner treat, the only human food he gets we'd be worried.

[akita1]

Hi all ate two good meals yesterday but nothing so far today I am sure there is nothing wrong physically he is too playful and happy took him out this afternoon and he was sniffing all over the place like a hoover so maybe bh related.