can anyone help with eating problem

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2017 4:12 pm

After seeing another neurologist they think Freddie has a brain tumour and have put him on steroids to try and reduce the swelling . He was a lot brighter after a few hours and wants to gofor walks again and is wagging his tail again but I cannot get him to eat. I have to finger feed him and something he will nibble at one night he will not touch the next . Has anyone got any ideas to tempt him...I have tried sardines, cat food( which I know i shouldnt but he did eat a bit of that,) cheese, chicken, turkey, tinnned dog food, ...all i can get him to eat and not go off are gravy bones biscuits but I cant give him loads of them

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2017 5:44 pm

Someone might have said this earlier, but have you tried warming up whatever you are giving him - if he has a tumour, it may be affecting his sense of smell...warm food may be " smellier " than room temperature...?
In the meantime, I would just give him <<whatever>> he will eat - dont worry about what it actually is, the main thing is for him to have something in his tum, I reckon.

I am so sorry to hear that they feel he has a tumour - but hopefully the steroids will help with the swelling and things may improve over time. xx

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2017 7:21 pm

Tripe or a wee drop cooked liver?

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2017 7:33 pm

Hopefully the steroids will improve his appetite. Don't worry about giving him cat food that is fine, you should never give dog food to cats as they are obligate carnivores but cat food is ok for dogs, in fact if Freddie isn't eating well it will give him more protein. As AnnS says tripe often gets them going and scrambled egg is well accepted.

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2017 7:39 pm

I was recommended FISH4DOGS company and ,although mine is just a pup, he loves their pure foods. They do pouches of salmon mouse and trout mouse which smells very appetising and you can buy just single pouches to give them a try. It is not cheap though! Have a look at the web site.

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2017 8:04 pm

I have tried warning food but it doesnt make a lot of difference.. I tried liquidising it tonight and managed to get a few spoonsful down

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2017 8:22 pm

Derwendolly wrote:

I was recommended FISH4DOGS company and ,although mine is just a pup, he loves their pure foods. They do pouches of salmon mouse and trout mouse which smells very appetising and you can buy just single pouches to give them a try. It is not cheap though! Have a look at the web site.

One of our dogs loved that when I had trouble giving her food Smile

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2017 11:25 am

Mine ave the salmon and trout mousse too and Chappie, these alternate just a little On their kibble.
Have you tried hard boiled eggs or scrambled eggs? Porridge with honey?

Friend for Life Joined: 17 Mar 2011 Posts: 1469

Have you asked your vet about why Freddie has not wanted to eat very well since the sedation?

It’s the brain that controls when we want something to eat or when we are full by monitoring the nutrients and the hormones in our blood. I am wondering if due to Freddie’s neurological problem may this have had some impact on Freddie’s eating habits, may he not be eating because his brain is telling him he is not hungry, it's sort of getting the messages confused.

Senior Friend Joined: 07 Aug 2010 Posts: 106

Has Freddie had any more blood test since April? You mentioned a kidney problem and I was wondering whether it had got worse. With kidney disease dogs go off their food but sometimes medication can be given to encourage their appetite.

Is he having a high dose of steroids because usually that increases their appetite?

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 2:13 pm

freddie has dipped back down again, is bumping into things ,not eating etc . I was so hopeful at the weekend as things seemed to be on the up . I am trying to brace myself to what is right for him and its breaking my heart

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 3:39 pm

oh sweetheart I am so sorry and I can't offer anything useful xxx

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 3:40 pm

oh sweetheart I am so sorry and I can't offer anything useful xxx

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 4:45 pm

Oh sorry to hear this - our thoughts are with you xx

Friend in Training Joined: 11 Apr 2012 Posts: 22

I'm so sorry Freddie is unwell. When Willow had a tumour and wouldn't eat it was heartbreaking. The only thing we could get her to eat was Applaws it was wet food and it contained ham. I only tried this because a friend of mine had a dog too with a tumour and that would only eat ham. Hope this helps. X.

Friend for Life Joined: 17 Mar 2011 Posts: 1469

Very sorry to hear this news and am thinking of you and Freddie.

Take care

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 6:17 pm

We lost our Freddie today.... I couldnt watch him suffer any more...He was a dog in a million and we will miss him so much.
We are heartbroken

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 6:29 pm

I'm so sorry, but he is in a better place now Crying or Very sad

. So hard for you to do and so brave. Sleep tight Freddie xxx

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 6:53 pm

So very sorry - my thoughts are with you xx

Run Free, Freddie xx

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 7:56 pm

I posted on the other thread but will say again, so very sorry, you did so much for Freddie and tried so hard. Run free at the bridge Freddie. R.I.P. now.

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 8:35 pm

Poor Freddie and poor you. Heartbreaking news. Know just how you feel xxx

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 9:59 pm

Take comfort that you did everything you possibly could to help and by taking this final decision you showed your love for him right to the end . Enjoy all the wonderful memories.

Friend for Life Joined: 17 Mar 2011 Posts: 1469

I am so sorry to hear about Freddie.

Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2017 6:14 pm

Very, very sorry to hear of Freddie's passing, it's awful when you have to make that decision but you did the right thing, be sure of that.

Roger & Eve

Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2017 7:00 pm