r/DOG•
ProjectLIT

8yo Bernese is dying from myelopathy. We're having trouble making him eat

Last week my dog started having difficulty walking and was panting heavily. He was gotten worse throughout the week. He is rapidly losing weight.

We've bought all different types of foods that you think a dog would like. He'll only eat very little. We've started feeding him Ensure through a syringe.

Do you guys have any other ideas of how to get him to eat?

Edit: We've had a little bit of success getting him to lick peanut butter off our our fingers, also eating a few bites of meat here and there. We've also started putting babyfood (pureed chicken, beef, turkey) into the syringe and putting that in his mouth. He is totally unable to eat hard food.

Posted Mar 6, 2011, 4:13 PM UTC · edited

36
littlewolfen•

I'm so sorry. I had to look this up cause it was a new one for me. Sometimes careful steriod use can stimulate the appetite and relieve some pain but too much can cause liver damage. (laymans advice not a vet tech or doctor) Treats, favorite foods lots of love.

2
ProjectLITOP•

I will have to find out more about the steroids. We're trying all sorts of food and giving him all the love we have. Thank you.

1
[deleted]•

I'm sorry I can't help, that's really sad. Take him to the vet.

Hope the poor guy gets better.

1
ProjectLITOP•

Thank you.

1
CanineMutiny•

Electrolytes and products like Rebound Liquid Diet can help. Please take him to a vet a soon as possible. Actually stop reading this comment and take him now.

Edit: removed my personal dog story.

1
ProjectLITOP•

We bought something very similar to this. He is at the vet right now having an ultrasound done on his legs. Thank you for your concern.

1