Anyone experienced with dogs with "issues" ?

[jennln]

We foster (and inevitably end up adopting ~ usually the older adults) a lot of animals. My friends joke we should start charging admission to our zoo when they come over. In any case, our newest addition is giving me a bit of a tough time. We ended up with a pup that was unwanted/mistreated by the husband in the family. She really is a sweet girl with the usual "side effects" from the neglect and abuse. She was never housetrained because her home was a crate so we are working on that, she has separation anxiety, quite skittish and submissive around males, seems okay with all the other animals except for the one male dog in the house but I have to admit I can't blame her for that....he's being quite the pest. When I brought her for her initial exam at the vet he deemed her healthy, we went through with her first set of shots (she's never received any), de-worming and an antibiotic cream for her wounds. The problem I'm having is that I cannot get her to eat....at all. I've tried every method I can think of and every trick I've got in my *book*. I'm growing really concerned....I placed a call to the vet to discuss this and they set up an appointment for Monday ~ but to bring her in earlier if her condition declines. Not exactly happy with that, but it is what it is.
If anyone has any tricks, suggestions, ideas, whatever.....please share. I'd really appreciate any advice I can get on this one. Thanks.

 

[el guapo]

What exactly have you offered her ? And how have you tried to offer it ?

 

[beth]

Did you just get this dog within a few days? Is she underweight?
Why don't you try leaving her and her food alone together in a closed quiet, comfortable room. Try both wet and dry food to see if she has a preference. It sounds like she's pretty stressed and a calm place where she is alone may prompt her to start eating on her own.

 

[sueandherzoo]

Hello Fellow Foster Mom.
I, too, foster (and adopt) many dogs and I always lean towards the seniors since no one else seems to want them. Many have spent their last months in my home and even though it's hard, it's very rewarding, too.
I have dealt with many "issues" but I can honestly say I've never had a dog not eat for more than 2 days. That's a new one. Obviously you've tried mixing canned food in with the dry? Are you feeding the dog separate from the others or all at the same time? Is there any way you can "free feed" for a while so that she/he can go take a few nibbles when the urge strikes?
If all else fails you may have to break down and get some chicken or hamburg for the new dog to kick-start his/her appetite. I have found that after eating something they simply can't resist they then realize they are hungry and will even be interested in the dog food.
Have you ever considered feeding raw (also known as the BARF diet)? There aren't many dogs that can turn that down but it's a lot of work.
Good luck - keep us posted!
Sue
P.S. Do you think the dog might have a dental problem that makes it painful to eat? Did the vet check the teeth?

 

[jennln]

Today is day four, which I know isn't dire (or so the vet says) but It's making me a bit nervous. She wouldn't even take a drink until the morning after she got here...I figured that once she went for the water bowl the food would follow shortly but it hasn't. I have both wet and dry...several varieties of each and have offered her multiple choices. She is a bit underweight..and a small dog to boot...so it's adding to my worry. I tried separating her from the rest in the house by putting her in my bedroom but she completely freaks out if she is not at my heels at all times. I sit in the bedroom with her...door closed and try to coax her to eat while I'm there and there is just no interest whatsoever.

 

[jennln]

The vet did check her teeth and all is fine. I haven't tried the free feeding, but am definitley open to it. I've never had to do it before and hadn't even thought of going that route...will definitley give that a shot. We're having chicken tonight and I haven't done anything to it yet other than defrost it so I will have that as an option as well. I tried steak yesterday and she wouldn't even go for that!! I'm at a loss, because like you, I've never come across this issue before.

 

[deejeff442]

agreed she might be intimidated by another dog in the room.
will she just not eat the dog food or anything.
try and put some gravy or chicken soup on the food and mix it in.somethin that has alot of smell.
dogs dont taste they smell thier food.
we have 7dogs 6 are strays.my i guess he is part pitt will eat his then walk into the room with the others and just stand there and look at them one will always get a little scared and walk away then he eats thiers .he dont growl just stands there.never has had a fight with them just a stare is all it takes.
even that has gotten better lately.
he seems to just eat his and goes outside now.

 

[beth]

Does she sniff or even act like she knows its food?

 

[jennln]

Originally Posted by EL GUAPO
http:///forum/post/3070859
What exactly have you offered her ? And how have you tried to offer it ?
Sorry I missed this post entirely first time I re-read the thread. We've offered wet, dry, combination of both, flavor enhancers added, steak,etc. ....with other animals, by herself in the "feeding" room aka kitchen lol....in my bedroom...outside. I've even tried getting her to eat treats or biscuits and she won't take those either.
The only bowl she has shown any interest in whatsoever is that cats food in my daughters room and there's no way I'm going to let her get into that. Although maybe I'll try sticking her food in it's place and see if that works

I'm at a total loss.

 

[jennln]

Originally Posted by Beth
http:///forum/post/3070874
Does she sniff or even act like she knows its food?
She sticks her nose in the bowl and walks away. You know after reading this and the post before it....the antibiotic cream I have is for lacerations and a burn on her nose. I wonder if it's interfering with her sense of smell and that is the reason she isn't eating? hmm.....I never even considered that possibility.
Editing to add...maybe not though because she did hover over the cat food for a bit. Not eating, more like how one would "guard the bowl" if you've ever seen a dog with food aggression. Hard to describe but the "on guard" stance with the head lowered...if you've seen it you know what I'm talking about.

 

[deejeff442]

the doctor said she is healthy other wise?
if a dog is in pain they sometimes wont eat ,whine a little and will always show affection more and hang around you closer.

 

[mindy2577]

Its a terrible thing when someone mistreats a dog. It breaks my heart.
When we got Thor (our great dane) he wouldn't eat either. But turns out he just doesn't like us watching him eat. We have had him for a year now and he still won't let us watch. he just stands there and looks back at us like.."uhh are you going to leave?"

 

[jennln]

Originally Posted by deejeff442
http:///forum/post/3070887
the doctor said she is healthy other wise?
if a dog is in pain they sometimes wont eat ,whine a little and will always show affection more and hang around you closer.
We walked out of there, her having a clean bill of health.

I gave her a bath on day one and rubbed her down everywhere and there didn't seem to be any sensitive spots other than her nose. It was completely necessary because when I mentioned she lived in a crate I was being literal, and I was extremely thorough with the bath.

 

[deejeff442]

do you have a crate?
maybe put some food in there?
if thats all she knows right now.
maybe call a dog boarding place and see what they do when they watch peoples dogs and wont eat.i am sure it happens to them.

 

[bender77]

Do you know what she was eating before you got her? Try mixing that in her food. I can't get them to eat canned or dry food, then I try baby food or chicken and rice. If neither of those work then I go for the canned cat food mixed with the dog food. Once you get her eating then you can start weaning her onto what you want her to eat. I'm sure she's just adjusting, but I wouldn't want her going until Monday without eating.

 

[sueandherzoo]

It might be time to break out the cheese -- I have NEVER seen a dog refuse cheese! She's got to eat something soon - this is going on too long in my opinion.
Good luck!
Sue

 

[reefforbrains]

How in depth was the exam?
Just a meet and greet from vet or did they do a full work up?
If it was a complete workup then forget about it. The dog might lose some weight from nerves ect but will not starve to death. Extreme stress or distractions can interfere with the routine the dog was conditioned to. Just takes time to come around.
If not a full on exam, then have you checked breath and eye color?
Dingy whites on the eyes or bad breath and low weight can mean kidney issues. Not typical dog breath, but BAD breath?
Good luck.

 

[deejeff442]

whats the update?
did you get her eating?

 

[socal57che]

Originally Posted by deejeff442
http:///forum/post/3070916
do you have a crate?
maybe put some food in there?
if thats all she knows right now.
maybe call a dog boarding place and see what they do when they watch peoples dogs and wont eat.i am sure it happens to them.
I think this is worth some time. When crate training, you place food in the crate to build comfort with the crate, then feed wherever you decide it's convenient. Maybe this dog has only ever known eating in the crate and won't dare eat a bite otherwise. I would definitely try feeding in a crate, then slowly move the bowl out of the crate if she eats.
Surely she's eating by now,though, right?