I Am Getting Frustrated

[ShantisMom]

I feel like it is one step forward, 3 step back. Time for a break! Something has to work!!!

 

Shanti is DEAD LAME! She was diagnosed with infectious arthritis. We are on week 5 of 8 on antibiotics. We saw HUGE improvement the first couple weeks. That is long gone now. She is on a full dose of Previcox, tramadol 2x a day, glucosamine/msm, cephalexin, Soloxine and we have gotten so much worse now. I also added in Pepcid to help her tummy.

 

DH thinks it is my fault. He is lucky to lived through that! He said when she got here she was fine. Now you feed her all this stuff and she is worse.

 

Poor Shanti thinks I am poisoning her. She barely eats. I have tried all kinds of stuff to get her to eat. I can get her medicine down her now in peanut butter. But DH thinks that is killing her. All the stuff she would eat willingly she won't touch now.

 

I will call the vet yet again on Monday. I think we start over. Sadly the next thought is auto immune and we move on to more medicine. Can't remember that name, but starts with A and Munchie (littlegreys pup) is on it.

 

It is just so frustrating! Any thoughts on getting her to eat...so I am not killing her?

 

 

[RobinM]

As you may or may not know, my Polli has been known to be my PITA eater.

 

We do 1 pepcid every day or at least 5x a week.

 

To get her to eat, we give her 1/2 evo (rich) and 1/2 purina one (she likes it). I mix it with shredded boiled skinless chicken thighs. She likes to eat at 4:30 pm (straight dry kibble) and 10:30 pm chicky and kibble. She gets a total of between 1 1/4 - 2 cups a kibble a day mixed with 2-3 thighs.

 

When she turns up her nose at that, I try the kibble mixed with TRIPE. That will usually work. If she doesn't eat that, there is usually something going on like gastritis and a vet visit is in order.

 

I also keep cans of EVO duck, rabbit, venoson and purina one chicken for emergency.

 

ETA: Pepcid

Edited February 3, 2008 by RobinM

[Batmom]

Usually what I do is give Pepcid, wait @ 30 minutes, feed a meal, then right after the meal give any meds that are likely to upset the tummy. That may mean adjusting the meal schedule/amount so there are 3-4 meals (or at least substantial snacks) a day.

 

If pup won't eat and really needs to eat, I don't push the kibble. Not worth it. When B was ill, he kept his weight up on mostly a mix of cooked beef with chicken or turkey, with a bit of spinach, pureed peas, and honey or molasses. Good snacks were things like Tripett, a chicken liver or two, a couple scrambled eggs. Not-so-good snacks were things like cinnamon bread, graham crackers, spaghettios. He could not have fish but many dogs like canned jack mackerel (disgusting stuff -- rivals tripe) or canned tuna.

 

Right now Zema is on a sort of elimination diet. Each day she eats @ a pound of cooked beef (medium lean, WITH the fat) with some ground eggshell added; and a big spoonful each of cooked fish, pureed peas, and sweet potato.

 

These things cost more than kibble ... but they probably don't cost more than throwing kibble away, KWIM?

 

Hugs and luck with your girl. I'm sorry the meds aren't solving the problem yet!

[Guest greyladydown]

I think we start over. Sadly the next thought is auto immune and we move on to more medicine. Can't remember that name, but starts with A and Munchie (littlegreys pup) is on it.

 

It is just so frustrating! Any thoughts on getting her to eat...so I am not killing her?

 

 

If it's autoimmune, a short course of predisone and azathioprine can make all the difference in the world. Those drugs brought my senior boy back from the brink of death. Prednisone sometimes increases appetite, too.

[gracegirl]

Oh no! I'm so sorry to be reading this. Poor Shanti and poor you. I don't have much advice to offer you. When Fenway got picky I tried different food samples, mixing canned food, adding parm cheese or sardines, etc. Turns out he was just being a butthead and after two or three days of hardball he started eating again. He also didn't have health concerns, so it was okay for me to let him get a bit hungry.

 

I hope she (and you) feel better soon.

 

As for DH

[Guest tricolorhounds]

I know it's a long way for you to go, but have you tried a consult with Dr Lewis? I wouldn't trust anyone else with my guys...

 

I'm certainly not an expert on the meds that poor Shanti is on but when Savannah was recovering from her broken hock, she was on antibiotics for close to 5 months, by the end, she had lost a considerable amount of weight and it was nearly impossible to get her to eat.

 

Shanti

 

 

 

[Guest LittleGreys]

Oh no! Poor Shanti! I thought it was going so good for you guys.

Munchie has done really well on the pred and azathioprine. Unfortunately, she had a setback last week. Started to get swollen, painful joints again. The vet thinks we may have decreased the dose too fast, so we bumped it back up.

And she has gained 5 pounds, yikes!! She is ravenous. It is scary how hungry she is, poor girl.

Munchie and I send big hugs and lots of prayers for you and Shanti!!!

Edited February 3, 2008 by LittleGreys

[Remolacha]

I am sorry to say I have been there too. When I couldn't get Sugar to eat anything else, she would drink vanilla Ensure. The other thing that she ate often (but not always) was rabbit flavor dry cat food. What got her appetite back (she has bad arthritis and other back end problems) was getting her pain under control with Tramadol, Metacam, acupuncture and Adequan shots. I also give her a Pepcid twice a day with all her other pills. I put them in Pill Pockets (she likes the chicken flavor cat ones ), It takes four Pill Pockets for all her pills (heart meds & thyroid, too) but she thinks she is getting treats.

 

I hope you can fiure out what's causing this and Shanti starts to feel better.

[Guest WarmheartedPups]

I dont have any advice...I sure hope you guys get better real quick. It sounds so darn hard!

[ShantisMom]

Thanks for the help!

 

Were can one get Tripe?

 

I have tried Parmesan cheese and a million others. Tried the pill pockets. All worked for a few days.

 

She can't have Prednisone due to Babesia. So we have to do alternative options.

 

Did not think of Sardines. Thought of tuna, but we don't have any. Guess a store run is in order.

 

As for Dr. Lewis. I am thinking it might be worth the trek. I like the vet I am at now, I switched within the office. She is consulting with another specialist on Shanti. She is very interested in her case and is going above and beyond to help her. I am so sad as we were making huge strides for a bit. Now we are worse.

 

She is not withering away yet, but she is dropping weight. Plus all that medicine on an empty belly can't feel good!

 

Thanks all!

[Greytlady94]

I would ask the vet about starting her on Carafate (sucralfate). (Carafate will coat the stomach, it can be used for ulcers.) Carafate is given at least one before or two hours after eating. My Renie has been having some pretty bad tummy problems and she gets Prilosec 30 minutes before breakfast and Carafate two hours after dinner, and that is keeping her tummy settled. Other meds are always given with food. She is not fed kibble at all.

Poor Shanti, I hope she is eating better and feeling better soon.

 

On the tripe you should be able to get it at pet stores that carry the better foods, or you can also order online. linky for tripe

Edited February 3, 2008 by Greytlady94

[Guest longdogs]

Shanti isn't stupid and my guess is nothing will work to hide the pills for long. All you can do is keep ringing the changes. Small cans of fancy cat or dogfood, the ridiculously small overpriced kind, can work and come in a variety of flavours. Thin slices of smoked salmon also worked temporarily with William. Ultimately you may have to pill her without using treats. It's not that hard. High doses of pred can turn your grey into into starving, bottomless pit and even small dosages can help boost appetite. There is however a downside as pred has other strong side-effects. Good luck.

[Guest CyndiW]

I second the carafate!! If you get the liquid, you can use a syringe or sometimes I mix it with a small amount of ensure and he laps it right up. The pill form will melt easily in about a tablespoon of water. It really coats the esophagus and stomach and keeps the meds from causing damage.

[Burpdog]

She can't have Prednisone due to Babesia

 

Why?

 

It sounds like the previcox is messing up her stomach. You know me, I won't use NSAIDs anyway. If you must, add carafate ASAP. She doesn't want to eat because of her stomach

 

Sending prayers.

 

Have you found an alternative vet?

[Guest grey_dreams]

No advice, but just wanted to say I'm so sorry to hear about Shanti. Sending all good thoughts your way, hoping that she will start to get better soon.

[ShantisMom]

Okay, I am now armed with tripe, stinky canned food by merrick, chicken thighs and rice. Guess I should start cooking. I just want her to put food in that belly with the medicine. Tomorrow morning I will call the vet again and pick up some carafate.

 

Jey you are right. Not cheaper, but when you are throwing out all your food again and again, it works!

 

I am guessing it was a fluke that we saw such huge improvements. Bummer!

[SAVED2]

 

Try liver sausage.

[RobinM]

Thanks for the help!

 

Were can one get Tripe?

 

 

www.sitstay.com

 

 

http://www.sitstay.com/dog/supplies/servle...2C+13.2+oz.+Can

 

Rickiesmom (Mary) sent me 2 cans to see if Polli would eat it. It worked. I don;t want Polli to get sick of it so I use it when she turns her nose up at her regualar dinner.

Edited February 3, 2008 by RobinM

[Guest LittleGreys]

You may also ask your vet about giving her mirtazipine, its an appetite stimulant. Works VERY fast, within 1/2 an hour they are usually eating. We finally gave it to our old girl who wasn't eating. Worked right away. We only had to give it once, and then she started eating on her own again.

Munchie likes her pills in braunschweiger, although right now she will eat anything that's not tied down. She was never picky. Razz is, we had to switch around on her, and sometimes just put them down her throat, but I hate doing that and only do as a last resort.

Hugs to you both!!!

[ShantisMom]

Try liver sausage.

 

Is that a grocery store item? If so, I will look for that too.

 

I just finished cooking some rice and chicken thighs. When it cools, I will shred it up. I found tripe at our local "posh" pet store. I got the smelly warning from the guy there.

[FosterFlunker]

Liver sausage is the same as braunchweiger

[Greytlady94]

Okay, I am now armed with tripe, stinky canned food by merrick, chicken thighs and rice. Guess I should start cooking. I just want her to put food in that belly with the medicine. Tomorrow morning I will call the vet again and pick up some carafate.

 

Jey you are right. Not cheaper, but when you are throwing out all your food again and again, it works!

 

I am guessing it was a fluke that we saw such huge improvements. Bummer!

 

If you get Carafate from the vet... the easiest way I have found to give that huge pill is to cut it in half, place both halves in a 6ml syringe (no needle) and draw up enough water to dissolve the Carafate (about 2 1/2-3ml). Then all you have to do is open mouth and squirt the dissolved Carafte into the back of the mouth. Renie hates to take pills and cannot be fooled by any wrap or pocket things, but by doing this she takes her Carafate with no problem.

[ShantisMom]

Okay, I am now armed with tripe, stinky canned food by merrick, chicken thighs and rice. Guess I should start cooking. I just want her to put food in that belly with the medicine. Tomorrow morning I will call the vet again and pick up some carafate.

 

Jey you are right. Not cheaper, but when you are throwing out all your food again and again, it works!

 

I am guessing it was a fluke that we saw such huge improvements. Bummer!

 

If you get Carafate from the vet... the easiest way I have found to give that huge pill is to cut it in half, place both halves in a 6ml syringe (no needle) and draw up enough water to dissolve the Carafate (about 2 1/2-3ml). Then all you have to do is open mouth and squirt the dissolved Carafte into the back of the mouth. Renie hates to take pills and cannot be fooled by any wrap or pocket things, but by doing this she takes her Carafate with no problem.

 

 

Good to know! I have lots of small medicine syringes from the boys.

[Guest vahoundlover]

Sending prayers Shanti thinks dinner tonight is YYUUUMMMMYYYYY!

 

 

[ShantisMom]

Sending prayers Shanti thinks dinner tonight is YYUUUMMMMYYYYY!

 

Tonights dinner was a success!!!! I am thrilled. She chowed it! The only thing she won't touch is the glucosamine supplement. I coated it, she licked the coating off the flavored tabs and left them. I will find a way to fix that, but SHE ATE!

 

Tonights menu was boiled chicken thighs and rice with a little yogurt. Hopefully this will work for a bit, tomorrow we will get more medicine to help.

 

YIPPEE!