Jack is sooooo sick... Need advice

[Jacks_momma]

Ok, the vet said he had an upper resp and throat infection. So they have him on cephalexin 2000 mg a day. He hasnt eaten anything since Sunday.. Today is Wednesday. I open his pills and make a medicine meatball and place it in his mouth and he eventually swollows it. Now I need advice on a few things...
1. The COUGHING keeps me up all night worrying... Is there anything that has worked for you guys in the past?????

2. He NEEDS to eat. The vet says because his nose is blocked he can't really smell anything therefore he is not hungry.. Is there anything that you can recommend that your boxer babies have eaten when they were sick....I am at my wits end. He has NO energy what so ever. He is sooo tired that he falls asleep with his eyes partially opened and sitting up.... I cant take this... I cant stand to see him like this anymore. He does have a follow up appointment for Saturday. Please help....I am so in love with my baby and I feel so helpless......

 

[LilygirlCO]

Poor boy! I hope he gets better soon! I'm sending him healing vibes!

I've always heard that green tripe helps a dog eat. It's also very healthy for them.

 

[Tankersbabe]

Call your vet and ask about using over the counter cough syrup to help with the coughing. We've been through three bottles in our run with the kennel cough with Oscar...We've also used shredded cheese in the food and mixing in gravy of some sort...

We used peanut butter smeared in his food to get him to eat. He really wasn't interested the first few days and finally got an appetite about day four or five.

I hope your little one gets better soon. We are up to day 19 with the coughing ...but it is a LOT LESS than it was.

 

[Net45582]

There is a paste like substance that is available from vets that is full of nutrients you squueze in the dogs mouth...wish I could remember the name.
Also try pedialyte for a day or two to keep him hydrated and electrolyte balanced....good luck...maybe try peanut butter also if his throat is better.

 

[sgbtab]

it sounds like KC but that is nothing to worry about. the coughing sounds horrible right? maybe some honey will help sooth his throat.

 

[Xander's Mom]

Poor baby. I'm sorry he's sick.

 

[bucksteemom2]

I am sorry to hear you baby is so sick:( Sending you healing and positive vibes!!!! Keep us posted
Kisses from Buckeye and Steeler

 

[Pearlywhirly]

There is a paste like substance that is available from vets that is full of nutrients you squueze in the dogs mouth...wish I could remember the name.
Also try pedialyte for a day or two to keep him hydrated and electrolyte balanced....good luck...maybe try peanut butter also if his throat is better.

The paste you're referring to is called Nutri-Cal. It's great to jump start a sluggish appetite. Usually PetsMart has it.

http://www.1800petmeds.com/pdetail.asp?SK=1340

 

[TossBranAbi]

I would definately try to get something into him. It makes sense that if he can't smell, he doesn't have the drive for the food but I am sure he can still taste. Did you try to put a smear of peanut butter into his mouth. He may also not be eating b/c his tummy is not feeling well from being empty. I would get somethign really tasty and smear some in his mouth to get him started. The nurti-cal paste is also a good option. You definately need to make sure he is getting enough fliuds to stay hydrated. Did the vet say anything about him possibly being dehydrated? That could be the reason he is so weak and not wanting to eat. I would imagine KC for him would be like us having a bad cold and the food tasing bland.

First and foremost, I would make sure he is hydrated (pull up some skin in a tent shape and see how quickly it returns to normal.) Good luck and keep us posted. If you don't feel comfortable, take him in to see the vet, sometimes they dismiss our concerns too easily. Hope he is feeling better real soon.

 

[Jacks_momma]

UPDATE on JACK

Ok, well I called the vet yesterday afternoon and they told me to drop him off for some blood work. Everything came back good and that his blood cells even looked good. He was not dehydrated. That was about the only thing he was doing was drinking. They gave him an a shot with an antibiotic and some more pills, including something called tussigon for his cough. Tussigon contains codine so to help the pain of the irritation in his throat. When we got home I said you want some eggs he looked at me and started wagging. I took that as a yes. Long story short he ate. I think the codine and all the ~healing vibes~ took away his pain and sotpped the coughing. Ugggghh.. I never thought a dog could get that sick. I cant wait till Jack is BACK if ya know what I mean ;-)