Sick Dog Question– help, please?!

[agilebasenji]

I don't know that me or the basenjis are more used to the cold, but we deal with it. Of course Digital's favorite game is fence running/fighting and with about 300 ft of shared fencing with the neighbor's dogs, they do that. I actually started the therapy swims because Digital was loosing muscle mass in his thighs and this is our holistic vet recommended. And it is so helpful in the winter.

We also wear coats (fetchdog.com is having a wonderful sale right now as I posted in another thread) - somedays inside and out. And I have heated warm things for the boyz. I would NOT do strenuous exercises with S, just a little something to get the joints/digestive systems moving. You can always do a little more the next time.

And, of course with Digital, if something happened to me, hubby would spoil him and if something happened to us both, he'd go back to Mary Turner, his breeder, who would spoil him more than we do, so he's pretty much set.

[DebraDownSouth]

I don't know if I suggested this, been a rough few weeks– but can you ask your vet if your dog can have cyproheptadine. It is a miracle drug, basically just an antihistamine that has and incredible effect on appetite. At about $15 to 20 for a 100 pill bottle, I'd buy stock and be their spokesperson if they wanted me.

I learned about it when Sayblee reached the can almost see her hip bones stage due to her utter lack of interest in food, any food, and all the massive blood work and testing found nothing. She simply would eat only enough to not die. I was actually putting mushy food in her mouth and massaging her throat to get her to eat in order to try to get weight back on her. My friend with a research vet suggested it, my vet ordered it, miracle. I have used it over the years with dogs with cancer, Sayblee a few years later during chemo continued to eat thanks I am sure to it, and dogs on medications that required eating when they didn't want food.

[tanza]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Rx_Info_Sheets/rx_cyproheptadine.pdf

http://petsmd.com/RX/Cats-And-Dogs/Cyproheptadine

It is mostly recommended to try and increase appetitie in cats.

[ownedbyspencer]

@DebraDownSouth:

I learned about it when Sayblee reached the can almost see her hip bones stage due to her utter lack of interest in food, any food, and all the massive blood work and testing found nothing. She simply would eat only enough to not die. I was actually putting mushy food in her mouth and massaging her throat to get her to eat in order to try to get weight back on her. My friend with a research vet suggested it, my vet ordered it, miracle. I have used it over the years with dogs with cancer, Sayblee a few years later during chemo continued to eat thanks I am sure to it, and dogs on medications that required eating when they didn't want food.

That is amazing, Debra! Of course, I'll check into it right away. That is exactly what I did with Spencer for two weeks– put the food in his mouth and massaged his throad to get him to swallow. Because he takes 14 pills a day, I still have to do this with the meds. He's eating now, but he's very, very picky. The least little thing not to his liking will cause him to run away from the food. I can't hide vitamins or Omega-3s in his food anymore, or he won't eat. If he likes what I offer, and I roll it into balls, he'll eat most of it; otherwise, forget it-- not interested. His mouth is healed; the battery of tests show nothing, yet he doesn't want to eat. So, thank you! And thank you, Pat, for the links!

Pamela and Spencer

[ownedbyspencer]

@agilebasenji:

We also wear coats (fetchdog.com is having a wonderful sale right now as I posted in another thread) - somedays inside and out. And I have heated warm things for the boyz. I would NOT do strenuous exercises with S, just a little something to get the joints/digestive systems moving. You can always do a little more the next time.

And, of course with Digital, if something happened to me, hubby would spoil him and if something happened to us both, he'd go back to Mary Turner, his breeder, who would spoil him more than we do, so he's pretty much set.

Diggie is a lucky B– being spoiled in the manner to which he is entitled!

And, wow, what a buy on those coats! Even though winter is almost over, I think I'll buy one. Spencer is so thin, he'll probably need it for a few more months, since there are many chilly days in spring. I think we'll take a short walk today-- even if it's just up the street and back. Maybe that will perk him up a bit.

And you guessed it, eeeefarm, I will not have the heart to stop spoiling Spencer. He has me just where he wants me-- at his beck and call, like any well-trained Basenji human.

Pamela and Spencer

[DebraDownSouth]

@tanza:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Rx_Info_Sheets/rx_cyproheptadine.pdf

http://petsmd.com/RX/Cats-And-Dogs/Cyproheptadine

It is mostly recommended to try and increase appetitie in cats.

The research was done on cats. As I am sure I posted here before, in a study on cats undergoing chemo, they found that those cats who were on cyproheptadine continued to eat. It has been used with dogs for at 8 to 10 yrs. Please note your 2nd link did not separate dog or cat for appetite. It works amazing for both. Because the research was done with cats, that is most of the citings. My vet in PA who uses it recommended it because she said it is far safer overall than other appetite medications. Of course there are dogs, and some cats, that don't respond. But when a dog truly needs to eat, it's worth asking your vet, don't you think?

It's funny– I can't win for losing. If I post something and post links/research to back it up, I get slammed. If I don't, then I get posts indicating I don't know what I am posting. I think it's easier to just post the darned links to begin with and avoid a do-over.

Cyproheptadine: What You Need to Know as a Pet Owner - Paw ...
www.pawnation.com/pet-health/cyproheptadine-for-pets/
Apr 12, 2011 ? Cyproheptadine is a veterinary drug used to stimulate appetite in cats, and may also work in dogs.

What To Do When Your Dog or Cat Won?t Eat
Anorexia In Pets
Ron Hines DVM PhD
http://www.2ndchance.info/anorexia.htm
A relatively mild antihistamine, cyproheptadine (Periactin), has been found to stimulate appetite in many pets.

The drug, btw, works in humans also– so shouldn't be a surprise that while cats may have highest response, dogs often do also:
Cyproheptadine is widely used in treating children?s and adolescents?
migraines, nightmares, allergic reactions, mild and uncomplicated
hives, serotonin syndrome, carcinoid, drug-induced hyperhydrosis and
anorexia nervosa. It is a powerful and very reliable appetite stimulant.
However, only some people (among even those who take Periactin
regularly) know that Cyproheptadine can be used to ease chronic renal
failures in cats and dogs.

An effective appetite stimulant medication can become a life-savior
drug for your pet.
Full article: Cyproheptadine for cats | Trusted.MD Network http://trusted.md/blog/dochan/2011/03/22/cyproheptadine_for_cats#ixzz1loCWqalB

Heck, it even works in Bunnies.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html

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[DebraDownSouth]

@ownedbyspencer:

Diggie is a lucky B– being spoiled in the manner to which he is entitled!
Pamela and Spencer

I couldn't even respond before because the love made me tearful, so let me just "LIKE" your post. All the poor dogs left outside to freeze, it's good to remember people like you who do so much.

[ownedbyspencer]

Thank you, Debra! Like so many Bs on here, Spencer is a well-loved, pampered little guy. He is the baby– and the boss-- in this household.

That's so interesting about the cyproheptadine being used to ease chronic renal failure. If it's good for their appetite and their kidneys, too, that's twice as beneficial for Spencer! I'm going to ask my vet about it when I take Spencer in to be weighed on Friday. I'm hoping he's gained a few ounces. Today was his last day on antibiotics, so hopefully, that will have a positive impact on his appetite. I appreciate your taking the time to post the info on cyproheptadine. I had never heard of it, and it does seem to be a miracle drug!

[DebraDownSouth]

I had never heard of it at the time. And my vet, like many, only knew it worked with cats. But my research vet in PA and her assistant (my co breeder) always are on top of things, lol. I was crying about how horrible Sayblee looked, how sad I was to have to force feed her and Brenda said "have you TRIED cyproheptadine."

Hope that your boy starts turning around soon. It is so hard when they are sick.

[ownedbyspencer]

I thought I would post an update on Spencer's progress to let all of his friends know that he is doing SO much better! He has not only regained most of his appetite, he has relaxed his standards to accommodate non-balled, non-creative food. Sometimes. When he's feeling generous. Or hungry. This is not to say that he is no longer picky. He would prefer his food rolled into bite-size balls but, as a semi-acceptable alternative, he will take the dish du jour separated into neat spoonfuls on a plate. No bowl. Bowls are no longer acceptable in our house, except for water.

He will now eat with relish and drink with abandon, but he is not gaining the weight back as quickly as I had hoped. Being thin doesn't bother him nearly as much as it bothers me. He has most of his energy back, and he has regained his curiosity. I think he is out of the woods. He is one tough little guy. This is the third time a vet has told us that he probably wouldn't make it… and all three times, he has bounced back. He amazes me, and as long as he tells me that he wants to go on, I'm going to do all I can to make sure he has the best chance of doing exactly that. These are incredible little dogs!

[MacPack]

Happy, happy news! He is a fighter and so are you, you make a great pair. Hooray!

[ownedbyspencer]

Thank you! It's a huge relief. These are happy days in our house, though I am aware of who's really in charge, and it's the one with a fur coat and a curly tail.

[agilebasenji]

@ownedbyspencer:

I thought I would post an update on Spencer's progress to let all of his friends know that he is doing SO much better! He has not only regained most of his appetite, he has relaxed his standards to accommodate non-balled, non-creative food. Sometimes. When he's feeling generous. Or hungry. This is not to say that he is no longer picky. He would prefer his food rolled into bite-size balls but, as a semi-acceptable alternative, he will take the dish du jour separated into neat spoonfuls on a plate. No bowl. Bowls are no longer acceptable in our house, except for water.

Sounds like at least you know the rules!

So glad to hear he's back to normal- ish.

[ownedbyspencer]

Oh, yes, I am a good companion, fairly obedient and easily-trained– from the Basenji perspective!

[tanza]

@ownedbyspencer:

Oh, yes, I am a good companion, fairly obedient and easily-trained– from the Basenji perspective!

LOL, good for you and YEA for Spencer. Have you tried doing a little excerise with him…. walks? If nothing else good to keep the muscles and stuff active....

[Patty]

This is really good news. May Spencer continue to improve and if he does put on some weight it'll be a bonus.

[ownedbyspencer]

Spencer had his first walk in weeks yesterday. After his surgery, he was so weak and thin, then the weather has been cold and rainy. But it was finally nice yesterday, so off we went. He was so excited to go… and so exhausted afterward. And we just went around the block sloooooooowly, so he could stop and sniff EVERYTHING. Nothing went unsniffed, and he was very generous with his marking.

His back legs trembled all last night after the walk. He just has hardly any body fat or muscle mass left. Has anyone helped a dog build back from that? Now that he's eating, I'm going to restart the amino fuel and, of course, slowly lengthen the walks. We don't have access to the hydro-therapy, and he can't navigate the stairs. Ideas?

[eeeefarm]

Do what you're doing…..go slow. Time is the only thing that will get him back in shape, and asking (or allowing!) too much too soon will set him back. I wish patience for both you and Spencer, as it can be frustrating, but it will take the time it takes. Try not to let him overdo it! (a little more every few days, with time to recuperate between escalations is best).

[ownedbyspencer]

Well, we're taking it slow, and things are getting better and better. Spencer is now trotting around the block, leaving pee-mail everywhere to say "Hey, I'm back!" to all his canine friends and foes. He hasn't gained back any muscle mass that I can tell, but the leg trembling is not nearly as severe. And he has gained almost a pound and a half! He's snuffling food like a little pig. Sometimes, he licks and licks his plate, wanting more, and I actually have to watch his portions so he won't overwork his kidneys. I'm hopeful that he'll be able to gain back all of the weight in time.

But he's still very thin– a fact that was pointed out to me today. I took Spencer to the dog bakery for some treats after a trip to the vet, and this woman came up to me in the parking lot and said, "You're starving that poor dog. If you won't take care of him, at least find someone who will." Then she called me a name and said "People like you make me sick" and stomped off. I was too shocked to even say anything. I get where she's coming from-- we've all seen those awful commercials and read those terrible stories-- but wow! I'm a little afraid to take him back out without bundling him up in his sweater and coat.

[eeeefarm]

Next time just immediately say "he's been sick and almost didn't make it". Rehearse this so it will come out without thought. The other person will feel terrible…...as they should. Talk about rush to judgement!