Guest ProudGreyMom Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 (edited) Andy recently had severe dental issues and he had about 12 teeth removed. We have been getting him to eat several soft foods (no kibble) from a paper plate. He doesn't seem in pain anymore however he is getting thinner and thinner in spite of the meals. Today it dawned on us that he may be dehydrated! He used to have water mixed with his kibble plus drank a good amount of water. Tonight we took a bowl of water with a plastic syringe and squirted water slowly and he did drink quite a bit. He is still taking Baytril antibiotic which maybe is making him nauseous?? I can't figure out why drinking water would hurt if he can eat soft food okay. Oh, he just turned 9 and normally is trim and weighs 70 pounds. Any ideas or experience? I am calling the vet tomorrow but thought maybe I could get some input tonight. Thank you. Edited August 29, 2010 by ProudGreyMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesiRayMom Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 (edited) It's certainly possible the Baytril is making him nauseous. Try a 10 mg Pepcid 30 - 45 minutes before Baytril / meal. I'm thinking you'll have to hide it in something really yummy to get it down, but it's worth a try. Edited August 29, 2010 by DesiRayMom Quote Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 Poor baby! I really don't think drinking water would hurt him???? If he won't drink, you could add water to the canned food he is getting. I'd also try adding Gatorade or another type of sports drink, 50/50 to the water. That might encourage him to drink, and it would certainly help the dehydration. My Curfew loves ice cubes. Your Andy obviously couldn't chew them, but might be interested in them for licking, and the cold couldn't hurt his mouth. You can make Gatorade cubes, too. Sending him lots of hugs! Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 Did he show signs of dehydration (tacky gums, pinched-up skin on neck not snapping right back)? If he's eating wet food, he might not need to drink a lot since there is water in the food. One thing to be aware of is, you have to feed a LOT of wet food to get the same calories as kibble. Depending on the food, a dog his size will probably need 3-4 cans per day. And yes, Baytril can upset the tummy. Usually what I do is give 1 regular strength pepcid (10mg famotidine), wait 30-40 minutes, feed a meal or substantial snack, then give the antibiotic. Hope some of that helps. No question he should go back to the vet if you're unsure or feel there may be other issues, altho I hope there are not! Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ProudGreyMom Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 Thanks guys, you rule! I feel so bad for him. He was starting to act normal - playing a bit, eating more etc - but then he started to look thinner and thinner and is uncomfortable. He is getting super picky with his food and just turns his nose in the air. But the silly head will eat some kibble if its in his play kong. I think I will let the vet decide about the deydration for sure - better safe than sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OwnedBySummer Posted August 29, 2010 Share Posted August 29, 2010 And you can freeze other things... like pureed liver mixed with yogurt. Or even beef broth in an ice cube tray. Yum yum good! Quote Lisa B. My beautiful Summer - to her forever home May 1, 2010 Summer Certified therapy dog team with St. John Ambulance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MyCody Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 A friend has a broodie that had all but four teeth extracted and it was done by a dental specialist. He had her soak kibble until it was soft and to also grind up cooked chicken and turkey and mashed potatoes, etc. She did very well eating and she just drank water as usual. The ground up turkey and chicken was her favorite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ProudGreyMom Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 More good ideas! Thank you. He is VERY cranky right now. I just gave him some pain meds and a few doses of water. He is laying down now. Its so upsetting when you don't know what's wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rschultz Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 how about putting the meds in applesauce. Lexie loves it and it doesn't upset her tummy. Quote Lexie is gone but not forgotten.💜 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ProudGreyMom Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 I think I have a grocery list for the morning!! Thank you everyone. He just had about of cup of low sodium chicken broth mixed with some water. Drank it all like a good boy. Mommy is stressed!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magdalyn58 Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Sending lots of prayers that Andy feels much better very soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 If Andy is like mine, he probaly didn't chew his kibble much anyway! If he needs more food, you can do several things to give him some more calories. >Add cooked rice or cooked small pasta and boiled, crumbled hamburger (or ground chicken or turkey) >whirl the dry kibble in a blender/food processor to kibble dust (measure out his normal kibble meal before you whirl it so you know how much he should have) >add fiber to his meals if h's getting loose poops His mouth is probably really sore. Keep ahead of his pain as much as possible. Definitely go back to your vet if he's getting too dehydrated or not healing well. Good luck. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 The Baytril might ne making his tummy upset but, I wonder if his mouth as just plain sore. I would have the vet recheck the extraction sites just to make sure everything is healing well with no signs of dry sockets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ProudGreyMom Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Waiting for the vet to open so I can call. Andy slept peacefully last night so the water and pain meds must have helped. I go home everyday for lunch so I can see how he is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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