Something Is Up W Quixote

[Jennifer]

Allow me to give a bit of back history on Quixote first. When I adopted him 3 years ago from JCKC he was in less that good condition, I won't comment on that further, however it took us months to find a good food for him to eat that agreed with him and started putting weight on him. After everything we finally settled on Solid Gold's Barking at the Moon. Been great ever since. Until a few weeks ago.

 

Quixote eats, loves to eat so when he suddenly became finicky about eating I was concerned. Was it a bad bag of food? Was there something wrong with his teeth and it hurt to eat? (you know greys and their nortorious bad teeth) Was he bored with his food? Was there something else more going on? So of course I take him to the vet, he gets checked out, blood panal and all and everything comes back thumbs up. (and yes, I have a grey friendly vet that has been active in our GPA group for many many years. She knows her stuff and has 8 greys of her own) So, after eliminating there was nothing wrong with him that blood work could detect I started trying to Dr up his food some to entice him to eat more (broth/ yougurt/ other- you know the routine) and those all seemed to work at different times and then others he wasn't interested. (lets not mention how much of this expensive food is getting thrown out to from his not eating) ...

 

 

Ok, so this has been going on for over a month and then this past week I've noticed he's really starting to show some weariness with getting up and down. Nothing to uncommon, he's 8 years old and raced until he was 5 and has LS so you can see where weakness in his hips is going to start setting in. What I want to get advice on is could it be times for Xrays? Could the not eating being associated with pain? (BTW- he still gobbles up his treats by the handful it's just his actual dinner that's the problem)

 

Just brainstorming some suggestions from you guys. Thanks in advance. Hope veryone has a Merry Christmas!

[ZoomDoggy]

Are his stools okay (firm and parasite-free)? You said his blood work was all good... Hm. I would be worried too, as this weariness and lack of appetite definitely sound like something's going on. I wish I had more ideas for you...

 

What about some tick-borne disease that normal blood tests don't cover...?

[mom2four]

Just wishing you good luck! When our Jamey was near the end of his illness with osteo we used to feed him as he was laying down, would that be an option for you? No need to get up to eat- and no pain to associate with eating. Just a thought.

[GeorgeofNE]

Quixote has the same basical medical profille as George, down to the LS.

 

Is he symptomatic? With the LS I mean? George got VERY snarky for a while, and then I realized it was probably from pain. Upped his Deramaxx dose and added in some Gabapentin, and my boy was back!

 

He's now off the Gabapentin, but he's on 50 mg. daily Deramaxx and doing well.

 

It COULD be he's just sick of his kibble. We've always had dogs that would eat pretty much anything so I don't muck around with add ins. And if he's eating his treats, it's probably not a lack of appetite, which is good!

[TheFullHouse]

You might see if Dr. Carol wants to do an ultrasound of his belly, or maybe x-rays Jennifer. I went through this with Gee for so many months and when something else brought her down and they did x-rays of her stomach they found a needle in there. We have no idea how or when it got there. That turned out to be the least of her problems though. You might get some answers to why he's not been eating for so long. The getting up and down just may be in addition to whatever is going on in his tummy.

[Jennifer]

Are his stools okay (firm and parasite-free)? You said his blood work was all good... Hm. I would be worried too, as this weariness and lack of appetite definitely sound like something's going on. I wish I had more ideas for you...

 

What about some tick-borne disease that normal blood tests don't cover...?

 

 

Stools are fine. But that's a good idea about further testing. Thanks. I see an extended vet visit coming up.

 

Just wishing you good luck! When our Jamey was near the end of his illness with osteo we used to feed him as he was laying down, would that be an option for you? No need to get up to eat- and no pain to associate with eating. Just a thought.

 

 

I've been doing that, well taking his bowl upstairs with me so it's near his bed. He'll get up from time to time and pick at his food but there's always leftovers to throw away the following day before making a new batch of food.

 

 

Also, I should add that he is in good spirits, and even very playful. He doesn't "act" like he feels bad but you know how dogs aren't actually able to express sickness.

Edited December 21, 2011 by Jennifer

[Yamaha_gurl]

After reading some good reviews about Iams green bag, I put Bella on it...she HATED it, would not eat it. Did LOTS of research and switched her to Blue Buffalo Potatoe and whitefish, loves it, eats it all in an instant. Before going on with medical stuff, I'd try a different food.

[Guest Energy11]

Leaving out the "weariness," you just described our Cari, 10, to a tee!

 

She HATES all dog food, even the expensive, exotic stuff She will eat it for about a week, then, nope! We, too, "doctor" her food with low sodium chicken broth, and even have to put ground up treats in it. Sometimes, she'll eat, sometimes, no! Her blood and urine are fine! She is just a picky little thing, I guess. It really gets to me, and as you said, we throw out a lot of expensive food! My other four eat just fine. Oh, Cari will ALWAYS eat treats, so I try for the highest quality.

 

I love Deramaxx for their pain and stiffness, BUT, I had to take our Staggerlee off it, because it was really upsetting his stomach. Maybe that is the case with your boy?

 

Good luck and good thoughts sent your way!

[Jennifer]

Quixote has the same basical medical profille as George, down to the LS.

 

Is he symptomatic? With the LS I mean? George got VERY snarky for a while, and then I realized it was probably from pain. Upped his Deramaxx dose and added in some Gabapentin, and my boy was back!

 

He's now off the Gabapentin, but he's on 50 mg. daily Deramaxx and doing well.

 

It COULD be he's just sick of his kibble. We've always had dogs that would eat pretty much anything so I don't muck around with add ins. And if he's eating his treats, it's probably not a lack of appetite, which is good!

 

 

No, Quixote doesn't show any signs of the LS bothering him, no mood changes or anything like that. Like I said above he's still very playful and in good spirits. But thank you for the recommendation of the Deramaxx, that is something to consider. Does that have any side effects to food/ appetitie?

 

You might see if Dr. Carol wants to do an ultrasound of his belly, or maybe x-rays Jennifer. I went through this with Gee for so many months and when something else brought her down and they did x-rays of her stomach they found a needle in there. We have no idea how or when it got there. That turned out to be the least of her problems though. You might get some answers to why he's not been eating for so long. The getting up and down just may be in addition to whatever is going on in his tummy.

 

Judy, that thought just occured to me when I was typing my first reply. Quixote has been known at times in the past to eat a hair scrunchie. I'm very aware of where I put those down now a days. I don't think he's ingested anything he shouldn't but goodness, who knows? That's a possibility too. And I'll be talking with Carol about this too. *sigh* Very worrying.

 

After reading some good reviews about Iams green bag, I put Bella on it...she HATED it, would not eat it. Did LOTS of research and switched her to Blue Buffalo Potatoe and whitefish, loves it, eats it all in an instant. Before going on with medical stuff, I'd try a different food.

 

Thank you for that recommendation! I was just about to ask if anyone here could recommend another fish based food for Quixote. Poultry did not agree with him in those early days. *whew* Those were some really bad accidents.

 

 

Leaving out the "weariness," you just described our Cari, 10, to a tee!

 

She HATES all dog food, even the expensive, exotic stuff She will eat it for about a week, then, nope! We, too, "doctor" her food with low sodium chicken broth, and even have to put ground up treats in it. Sometimes, she'll eat, sometimes, no! Her blood and urine are fine! She is just a picky little thing, I guess. It really gets to me, and as you said, we throw out a lot of expensive food! My other four eat just fine. Oh, Cari will ALWAYS eat treats, so I try for the highest quality.

 

I love Deramaxx for their pain and stiffness, BUT, I had to take our Staggerlee off it, because it was really upsetting his stomach. Maybe that is the case with your boy?

 

Good luck and good thoughts sent your way!

 

So you can definitely identify with my frustration! Quixote isn't on any meds at this time other than monthly heartworm prevention so I can' think of anything else that he is getting at this time that might effect his eating. Maybe it is something as simple as changing his food. That transition takes a bit of time though....it looks like it might be time to try it.

[gazehund]

Don't know what to tell ya Jennifer. I have one a whole lot younger than Q who will eat well for three or four weeks than inexplicably (at least to me) turns his nose up at his food for a meal or two. Then eats with reservation for another meal, then goes back to his normal eating routine. Nothing ever changes, but the pattern is pretty consistent. He has seen his Dr. Bloodwork done and normal, just a vague little "something."

Not really doing anything for it at the moment, it is so vague. I wish they could talk and tell us what is bothering them.

Good luck with Q and please keep us posted on how he does.

Merry Christmas to you too.

[Jennifer]

Me too Nancy, if only they could just tell us. Thanks for your thoughts though. And Merry Christmas mate!

Edited December 21, 2011 by Jennifer

[EllenEveBaz]

I hope it's something as simple as changing food (sigh). You asked for fish kibble suggestions: one is Taste of the Wild fish. It's also grain-free. Tell Q that all he has to give you for Christmas is his good appetite.

[krissn333]

Jennifer, re: a fish based food, we've had great luck with Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream.

 

Hope you're able to find some answers...

[Guest Gert]

Thank you for that recommendation! I was just about to ask if anyone here could recommend another fish based food for Quixote. Poultry did not agree with him in those early days. *whew* Those were some really bad accidents.

 

 

In addition to the TOTW PS....if you have a Costco, you could try Nature's Domain salmon and sweet potato.

[Jennifer]

Thank you all so much for the food options. That will be a huge help...hopefully. I'll keep everyone posted. Knowing Quixote I'll get home and he'll eat like a pig. Then of course go back to fasting as soon as I think everything is ok.

[Batmom]

Sure wouldn't hurt to do a quick x-ray and see if anything seems misplaced, distended, etc. Then on to ultrasound if there's something to be examined further.

 

Best luck with your handsome boy.

[Chicocat]

Ok, so this has been going on for over a month and then this past week I've noticed he's really starting to show some weariness with getting up and down.

 

That sounds pretty typical of a dog with LS. Alpo has had LS for a couple years and getting up and down has been his primary problem, plus his "knees" bending if he stands in one place too long. Deramaxx has relieved the pain for Alpo. When he chooses to, I also let him lay down to eat. I've found over the long haul of 2 years letting him choose when to go out, etc has been to his benefit. I have the luxury of doing that since I'm retired.

[tbhounds]

Sure wouldn't hurt to do a quick x-ray and see if anything seems misplaced, distended, etc. Then on to ultrasound if there's something to be examined further.

 

Best luck with your handsome boy.

Totally agree!

[Guest PhillyPups]

No suggestions that have not already been given here. I second Costco Natures Domain (and the bag is a pretty blue color too)

 

Good to see you back here lady. And Merry Christmas to you.

[Wonder]

Can't you put his left over's in the fridge and feed in the morning?

 

Hope it's nothing and he's just being picky.

[greysandmollie]

Hope you find something he likes...but we both know he is a little nutty!

 

I also use the costco food here and does well with everyone.

 

[GeorgeofNE]

Thank you all so much for the food options. That will be a huge help...hopefully. I'll keep everyone posted. Knowing Quixote I'll get home and he'll eat like a pig. Then of course go back to fasting as soon as I think everything is ok.

 

 

George LOVES Taste of the Wild Pacific Salmon.

 

As to the Deramaxx, I expect that it does different things to different dogs, but George has NO side effects from it. My last dog, Kramer, got violent diarrhea from it (but did fine on Rimadyl).

[krissn333]

We've had good luck here with Deramaxx. Fritz took Rimadyl once and it made him act really strange.

 

Sutra was on Deramaxx for 6 months, and Pinky took it for a couple of weeks before her amputation.

[silverfish]

I don't come into the H & M forum often so I missed this! Poor Q... I didn't know he had LS either.

 

Can he get in and out of your truck OK? It's a long way for a dog with a bad back, I know, and you don't want to be wrecking yours.

 

As to being picky with his food, we're having this issue with Ranger, but with him it's ongoing and he's never been a great eater. He used to turn his dish over in the kennel when he'd had enough. Did Q used to eat well and he's recently stopped?

 

I think it's unlikely he's just got fed up with the kibble after three years of eating it OK, but you might be right about a dodgy bag. Have you tried starting a new bag and seeing if he eats that as he used to? It happened with our two one time and as soon as we tossed the rest of the bag out and opened up a new one, they started eating well again.

[Jennifer]

A semi good Quixote update (Hi Judy! Yes, he's getting in and out of the truck fine and hoping around on furniture just fine too.....always trying to get in my bed. Little stinker )

 

 

Sorry I'm late updating on this but with the crazy Christmas holiday it's hard to get on line while out of town. I'm working on switching Quixote over to this new food Orijens fish formula and so far it's working really well! We're still doing the gradual change over but he's eating all of it at every setting now so yea! No runny poo or any signs of upset stomach so that's a double yea! :clap I should hopefully have him totally switched over by this time next week and then we'll see how he does from that point on. *fingers and paws crossed*

 

Thank you all for the help with ideas and food suggestions, it's really been a huge help!

Edited December 28, 2011 by Jennifer