Guest mhall Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Tarmac turned up his nose at dinner last night, and wouldn't eat this morning either. He's on tramadol and gabapentin, and I'm guess one or both are making him pretty nauseous. He can stand to lose a little bit of weight, but he may be on pain meds for awhile so I want to figure out how to get him eating again. I'm going to go pick up some tuna or something else stinky and see if adding that to his food helps. Any other suggestions? If we cut back on the pain medication at all he has a lot of trouble getting up/laying down. Should I try just leaving his kibble out and letting him eat when/if he feels like it? Should I give up on kibble and try meat? His normal diet is half kibble/half raw. Usually he's a chow hound and he has never refused food before, so I'm not sure where to start. This morning I left him with his usual kong and he immediately dropped it and followed me to the door where he stood whining while I walked to the car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Maybe get him something to help settle his stomach. Try Pepcid about 1/2 an hour before you're going to feed him, that may help Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meandmy Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Sorry to hear his tummy is upset. I would second the advice you received, and would add that nutritional yeast has been very helpful with my Shadow who has been off his eating lately. He's not on any medications, but his stomach seems to be a bit upset. I can usually get him to eat most of his meal if I sprinkle it liberally with the yeast. Of course, sometimes he just licks it off the kibble and waits for me to sprinkle on another layer but it seems to work very well. I got it from Whole Foods. Quote Jenn, missing Shadow (Wickford Big Tom), Pretty Girl (C's Pretty) and Tori (Santoria) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest knitkass Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Parmesan cheese is a favorite in this household if they're being a little finicky. Also, giving a couple days on "bland diet" out of Retired Racing Greyhounds for Dummies usually helps an upset tummy. I also would simply let mine graze throughout the day, rather than make her eat everything all at once, and 20 mg of pepcid before a meal helped tremendously as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I would also try the Pepcid AC as well, and, hopefully, this will help calm his tummy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatricksMom Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 How long has he been on the tramadol? Are there alternatives that might work? Tramadol's a good drug, but it can cause eating problems so it's not for all dogs. Have you discussed the change with your vet? Quote Beth, Petey (8 September 2018- ), and Faith (22 March 2019). Godspeed Patrick (28 April 1999 - 5 August 2012), Murphy (23 June 2004 - 27 July 2013), Leo (1 May 2009 - 27 January 2020), and Henry (10 August 2010 - 7 August 2020), you were loved more than you can know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mhall Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Thanks for all the suggestions. I didn't even think of Pepcid - I will pick some up on my way home from work today. How long has he been on the tramadol? Are there alternatives that might work? Tramadol's a good drug, but it can cause eating problems so it's not for all dogs. Have you discussed the change with your vet? Tarm's been on the tramadol for a little over a week, and hasn't had eating problems until now. I'll talk with the vet about alternatives if this continues - I'm not sure what else is available + safe for potential long term use. I like that the tramadol doesn't make him spacey, but obviously if he won't eat it isn't the right choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BlackandBrindle Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 Things that help and I've used firsthand: Canned green or frozen tripe Sardines/tuna Baby food (the meat ones) Stinky cat food Maybe try a bland diet with some scrambled eggs in it. Those should be easy on his tummy and might encourage him to eat. Hugs to your sweet boy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted August 27, 2009 Share Posted August 27, 2009 How about funnel cake? My Pearl....Little Miss Picky Pants snarfed that down this weekend. I was so surprised at the relish that she went after it that I'm thinking of buying the mix in the supermarket and making it at home if she has trouble eating. Eggnog is good for weightgain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mhall Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 Thanks for all the suggestions! He ate breakfast this morning, a little hesitantly, but he eventually got it all down so I think he's feeling a bit better. We'll probably keep adding in a little something tasty to encourage him. The funnel cake is the strangest suggestion I've ever heard DH is obsessed with funnel cake - I think he and Tarmac would be fighting over it if I brought any home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sheila Posted August 28, 2009 Share Posted August 28, 2009 things that go over well here canned pumpkin jack mackerel yogurt molasses or syrup I like to use things that they can't just simply pick out of the kibble if I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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