HELP! Boxer barely eating and losing weight!

[rhernandez]

Ok so I took my dog Carter to the vet last friday because he was not eating or drinking water. While i was there they said he wasn't dehydrated and they gave him xrays. They said there was nothing in the xrays and his stomach could just be irritated and thats why he is not eating. They gave him and injection and also gave me some pills to give him and also put him on a prescription diet.

Since then he has only eaten one full meal and threw it up a couple hours later. He will not eat breakfast and only has a couple of bites for dinner. He now drinks water like normal but is barely eating and is losing weight. He attempted to eat our other boxers dry food today and i let him just to see if he would actually eat it and he had a couple of bites and has held it down so far.

He lies around most of the day. He still will get up and greet someone when they walk in the door but after that he just walks back over to the couch and lays down, and when he stands he is awkwardly hunched over but there is no sign of physical pain when i press on his stomach and move his feet around. He gets sudden burst of energy where he will perk up and act normal but then it stops.

I am just wondering, how long do i let this go before I take him back to the vet?

 

[Sansal]

A hunched back can be an indication of pain. Have you tried feeding him chicken or something else enticing? Prescription food is usually garbage, instead you could cook him some chicken and rice and see if he eats that. If he doesn't start eating and feeling better I would take him back to the vet.

 

[Cami]

What was the injection? What medication did they send you home with?
I'd agree to nix the prescription food. Without a clear and cut diagnosis I'm not sure why they set him up on a new food. What are they actually treating aside from the symptoms? Being hunched over could indicate pain *somewhere*, and this could also point to a belly ache and is a common sign with pancreatitis (the vomiting and lack of appetite would also fit the bill). Without blood work however you won't get a true pancreatitis diagnosis.
Losing weight isn't good IF it is caused by not eating/vomiting and is clearly a sign that something is going on and further diagnostics are needed.
If the injection, medication and new food were the answer he should have started feeling better by now.
I'd try a bland diet TODAY....see if he eats it and starts feeling better. If not then I'd be back to the vets office tomorrow.

 

[Gatorblu]

Did they run blood work while you were at the vets? I have a dog that has chronic pancreatitis and all the symptoms you mention sure make me think pancreatitis. In which case a trip back to vet is order. Treatment is 48-72 hous of no food or water, so he'll need his fluids thru in iv or by sub-q (a large amount under the skin), plus pain meds. Most vets like to keep them so they can administer an iv. My vet doesn't have anyone there over night, so I have arranged to bring my dog in when they open and I pick him up a little before closing, and he stays with me at night. The next step would be a low fat diet.This is where a presciption diet would get him over the hurdle. Prescription diets are ok for a few weeks, just not long term.

Wishing Carter a speedy recovery!

 

[rhernandez]

They didn't run any blood work on him, and they said the injection was to help his stomach. They really didn't tell me anymore than that. The pills they gave me are Cerenia they are supposed to help the vomiting. I'll try the chicken and rice today because he refused the prescription food again this morning so i bought some other wet food and he didn't want that either. It seems as the day goes by it gets better because the last 3 days he attempts to eat something for dinner its not a lot. but its something.

As for him being hunched over I do not think it is from pain as much as i think it's from an upset stomach. Because i have literally pushed on every part of his body with no sign of pain

We have a follow up appointment tomorrow i'll ask if it could be pancreatitis when we go!

 

[sargboxerluv]

Did they check his mouth for sores or bad teeth? My friends dog has to have mushy food because of her mouth issues.

Did they check the dogs throat at all? I have heard of dogs having mega esophagus which prevents them from eating.

You should not get meds for your dog if you don't know what they are or what they are for. If a vet is to vague ask them questions. You are paying them for this service, if they are too annoyed by your questions to spend time with you find a new vet.