Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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This has been an ongoing problem for quite some time. There are many days when Zuzu refuses to eat breakfast. She'll go over and sniff at it, maybe even take a couple of pieces of kibble but that's it. There are days when she eats the food as soon as it's put down but most days it takes hours to eat. We've tried limiting the time food is down, but that doesn't seem to make a difference. It's never really been too much of a problem before, but now we need her to eat so I can give her her meds. I don't want to pull out the big guns yet because I want to have those as a fresh and new option after surgery so she hopefully is more inclined to be bribed. She eats dinner with no hesitation and from what we can tell loves her food (earthborn hollistic coastal catch- extra fishy and smelly, just the way she likes).
Any ideas on what to try or the minimum amount of food to make sure she gets before her meds would be greatly appreciated.
She's currently taking 50mg of carprofen every 12 hrs. We just started this regimen last night as she had started showing some signs of pain.
Oh, and she has no problem with the meds themselves, wrap them in a little peanut butter ball and she gobbles it down no problem.
11 year old Australian Shepherd with soft tissue sarcoma.
http://princess.....ipawds.com
Hmm. It sounds like she's associating meal time with the medication itself, even though you give them separately. How far apart are you giving the meds and her dinner? Did you ever put meds in her bowl? A dog's sense of smell is amazing, she could be picking up on the lingering aroma of medication if you ever put it directly in the bowl. If so, try feeding her from different plates and see if that helps. Also check out this post for more ideas:
How to Hide Pet Medication (and Get Your Tripawd Eating)
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Jerry, I have previously read that entry, but will re-read to make sure I didn't miss anything.
When I say this has been an ongoing problem, I mean like years.....I've been in her life for 5 years and shes done it off and on since I've been around, and was doing it off an on before I came around-so, its a pretty ingrained behavior.
She's only had one dose of carprofen(last night) and it was about 30min-1hr after eating her regular kibble with no additives or anything else with it. We never give her meds with her food directly or within the same bowl. We wrap it in a peanut butter ball and she gobbles it down.
Zuzu has been a healthy pup up until all this so really doesn't have experience with meds, other than an occasional benedryl or the short stint she had with carprofen a few years ago for a soft tissue injury, but getting her to take the actual med has never been a problem.
My concern is making sure there's enough food in her belly to help with any possible GI issues that may arise from the nsaid and after surgery, antibiotic use.
As I'm finishing this Zuzu has finally decided to eat her breakfast(3 hours after it was put down).
Once surgery comes and meds are an absolute must should I just get her to eat whatever(within reason obviously) I can to get food in her belly so I can give her meds on time?How much food does she NEED in her belly to help deter GI upset?
I really think this is more of a behavioral type issue than her associating her food with meds. Shes a stubborn Aussie(go figure) and I really think she just refuses to eat in the morning just because.
11 year old Australian Shepherd with soft tissue sarcoma.
http://princess.....ipawds.com
Izzy is such a good eater and takes pills like they are treats, so I'm not the best resource for "tricking" a pooch into eating, however, you might add a little broth or wet food to the bowl to entice her to eat. For meds, if she isn't a big breakfast eater, why not skip the "formal" breakfast and give her soft food with meds? I don't think it needs to be a huge amount with the meds but depending on the food, you could give her a half can or something?
Izzy takes soooo manyyyy pillllls and really never shows any GI upset but every dog is different!
Good luck with her eating! 🙂
Amy & Izzy
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Thank you!
I'm glad we don't have issues with the meds themselves and I'll keep working on her breakfast habits. Today she ate after her meds and doesn't seem to have any issues so I'll just keep working with her.
11 year old Australian Shepherd with soft tissue sarcoma.
http://princess.....ipawds.com
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