Old Husky Not Eating

[sandgrubber]

I have a 13 yr old dog in kennels. He and his 12 yr old companion (both huskies) been with me in the kennel for a year now . . . the owners visit regularly but their present circumstances don't permit them to have dogs at home.

Over the last month or so, the old guy has gotten extremely fussy about eating, and seems to be starving himself to death. Normally he gets, and loves, chicken carcass and a good quality biscuit, with other raw meats thrown in for variety. Now he refuses almost everything except cooked human-grade meat. His owner sometimes brings restaurant scraps for him, and he gobbles these down. I sometimes get carcasses with the breast on, and have been saving chicken breast for him, but I can't afford to buy prime cuts and cook them for him. He's gone thin as a rail and lacks energy. Normally he loves having other dogs around . . . he still seems to like it, but the young ones knock him over.

I've tried the obvious foods . .. . various bland cans, rice, yoghurt, soaked biscuits, paloney rolls of various flavours . . . sometimes he'll eat fish flavoured cat food but mostly he refuses everything. He has quirky taste . . . his owners say he loves oranges and grapes and he'll still munch a little fruit.

Does anyone have suggestions of other things that might go down?

Note: The preferred vet has been on vacation . . . back at the end of the month. I'm setting up a meeting with the owners and the vet to discuss options, including the green needle. They are against major veterinary procedures, given the dog's age; I am comfortable supporting them in this position, but if there's a way to get a bit more pep into the old guy, I'd be pleased to delay his end.

[Dogsfevr]

Well i would be telling the owners they need to pay more for his preferred food.

You shouldnt be paying out for there dogs old age diet,The owners are here & they should be readily willing to buy/pay extra for a diet needed at his age.

If there not willing to contribute then i would be asking them to find alternative arrangements.

The dog has most probably had enough of his last year

[4 Paws]

Dogs should not be fed grapes!!!

[Jed]

sandgrubber

He's gone thin as a rail and lacks energy. Normally he loves having other dogs around . . . he still seems to like it, but the young ones knock him over

There is obviously something very wrong with him. No one on the internet could possibly diagnose it. He needs to go to the vet asap for a thorough check up, and he shouldn't be anywhere where young dogs can knock him over. He is not well enough for that, and serious damage could be done. Old dogs need protecting from silly young dogs.

You could try cooking his meat and veges as a casserole in the microwave, making a gravy from the water it is cooked in to pour over it. They will often eat cooked meat with gravy if they are unwell, but that is a temporary thing.

Edited February 25, 2008 by Jed

[oakway]

Hi,

This dog needs a vet straight away.

I would be having full blood panels done, the works.

Sounds as if the dog may have an internal problem.

I would also put him on his own.

Good Luck

[petmezz]

Hi

Sibes can and do go down this path oftern, a young dog of mine would refuse to eat and i though about ringing the RSPCA on myself for no matter what i did the dog wouldn't eat. gradually the dog would eat off my plate untill he was eating normaly again.

I would have a vet look over this dog ASAP even if it is not the "normal vet" their could be many complications the dog is going through especially sence the dog has eaten grapes in the past.

i would keep the two dogs together as the pack bond in Sibes is strong and removing it's friend could do more harm then good.

also think about kennel depreshion that can have these signs, try to vary the daely life of your long termers, i have seen many dogs get this around the 1 year mark. do gentail training, introduct tunnels, walk outside the kennel facilitys. where is their kennel located? is their excessive stress on the dogs ie lots of dogs comming and going that they can see, people walking past constantly try to place them in the quietese place in the kennel or better a kennel away from the mane block. Be extreemly selective with dogs that are allowed to interact with the oldies, avoide hyper dogs, your husky will try to keep up initate play however they are not well enough to play like they want to. a Husky thinks it's a pup through out life and rearly admit to slowing down and will push them selves to play.

all in all GET THE DOG TO THE VET ANY VET ASAP

[Laika]

Like the others have said could be anything from depression to other internal problems.

One thing I must say my malamute liked was tinned cat food - usually the straight no frills sardines with cooked rice. She would be jumping around everywhere for it. It is not expensive either. I wouldn't feed this as the main part of his diet but it might help test his appetite. Better than the dry cat food and it is very inexpensive to feed.

Good luck ... it's sad when they get old :-)

[lucknow]

Warming food can help encourage to eat, theory is warm food smells stronger and therefore tastes more (try eating chocolate with a blocked nose, bland!). Dogs also equate moisture with palatability so I often add hot water to the food, then feed when it has cooled to a comfortable temperature. Easy enough to try very short term, and I couldn't agree more with earlier posts, don't wait for the preferred vet, this is a humane issue and the old boy deserves a little more. good luck.

[idigadog]

Sandgrubber, has the old boy eaten anything in the last couple of days? Drinking at all?