Dog not eating well

[birdhunr]

I have a 2yr old Eng Setter Ida . Alway had a great appetite until mid to late July. But always stayed on the skinny side. Always lots of energy. Neighborhood kid fed her while I was on vacation a few days. Kid had put new food over old food in bowl that was soggy from rain. I was back home 2 or 3 days before I discovered the soggy food under the dry food. Dog had stopped eating and continued to loose weight. I changed dog food brands several times to try to restart her eating. Purina 1, Purina proPlan, Walmart Maxium. Eukanuba, Iams, Nothing worked. Wormed with Nemex but, not sure if I did that before or after she stopped eating. Mixed soup with food in mid Aug and she would eat but vomit half or more of what she ate. Still energetic all through this. Only 1 single morning one week ago did she had severe leg / joint soreness. Wouldnt get out of bed and was sore if moved. After 3rd Veterinarian visit in as many weeks, a test for Lyme was negative. 2nd test for worms also negative. 1 asprin later she fully recovered from soreness and she has been fine sense in regards to soreness. I gave Norafolaxin .1g for 1 wk. Now Taking Veterinarian prescribed Doxicillin 2/day and Predisone 1/day Steroid for last 2 wks. 2 other dogs no sickness. I was feeding some scrambled Quail eggs earlier before and after she got sick. Now stoppped feeding Quail Eggs. Feeding Pork Chops, Venision mixed with Rice and a little dry food is working best. Some canned food after she got sick. Starting to put back on some weight in the last week but still gums are not very pink. I'm concerned when Antibotics and Steriods stop, she'll stop eating again. Veterinarian say no need to test for Thyroid problem. Says he thinks she probably has an auto immume illness like Lupus. Her stomach churns and growl after eating. My cousin told me yesterday she had a show dog that had same symptoms after eating some old dry food that sat wet for a while. She took to some Vet school in PA and it was hard to diagnose but, her dog was eventually cured. I hope she is going to be able to tell me what Meds she gave her dog to cure it. Dog seems to be drinking normally, eating a little better but, still not great appetite and throwing up a little mouth full or two similar to acid reflux. Do dogs get acid reflux? Sorry if I gave everyone TMI with such a long post.

[Whizzy]

Well, to answer your last question first, yes, dogs can get acid reflux. They usually don't vomit food, though. They bring up bile/stomach acid when their tummy is empty. If fed several small meals through out the day, it usually solves the problem.

Old, soggy food, if consumed, could possibly cause something like salmonella. But this has gone on too long for that. Mold toxin could be a consideration, though. It could have affected kidney/liver function. Has the Veterinarian done blood work?

I agree that it's unlikely your dog is having a thyroid issue, due to her age. And the more common thyroid problem in dogs is underactive thyroid, which leads to lethergy, poor hair and skin condition, and weight gain. But unlikely doesn't mean impossible. If you're willing to spend the money, it could be worth it to rule it out as a possibility.

Has the Veterinarian done any radiographs to check for blockages or a foreign body in her stomach/gut? Some of the symptoms you report make me wonder if she's swallowed something that's not digestible, and it's stuck in her stomach. Too big to pass, but not big enough to completely block her. Something like a piece of cloth (sock maybe?), a piece of corn cob, or a rock.

[onlinepetdepot]

Originally Posted by birdhunr

I have a 2yr old Eng Setter Ida . Alway had a great appetite until mid to late July. But always stayed on the skinny side. Always lots of energy. Neighborhood kid fed her while I was on vacation a few days. Kid had put new food over old food in bowl that was soggy from rain. I was back home 2 or 3 days before I discovered the soggy food under the dry food. Dog had stopped eating and continued to loose weight. I changed dog food brands several times to try to restart her eating. Purina 1, Purina proPlan, Walmart Maxium. Eukanuba, Iams, Nothing worked. Wormed with Nemex but, not sure if I did that before or after she stopped eating. Mixed soup with food in mid Aug and she would eat but vomit half or more of what she ate. Still energetic all through this. Only 1 single morning one week ago did she had severe leg / joint soreness. Wouldnt get out of bed and was sore if moved. After 3rd Veterinarian visit in as many weeks, a test for Lyme was negative. 2nd test for worms also negative. 1 asprin later she fully recovered from soreness and she has been fine sense in regards to soreness. I gave Norafolaxin .1g for 1 wk. Now Taking Veterinarian prescribed Doxicillin 2/day and Predisone 1/day Steroid for last 2 wks. 2 other dogs no sickness. I was feeding some scrambled Quail eggs earlier before and after she got sick. Now stoppped feeding Quail Eggs. Feeding Pork Chops, Venision mixed with Rice and a little dry food is working best. Some canned food after she got sick. Starting to put back on some weight in the last week but still gums are not very pink. I'm concerned when Antibotics and Steriods stop, she'll stop eating again. Veterinarian say no need to test for Thyroid problem. Says he thinks she probably has an auto immume illness like Lupus. Her stomach churns and growl after eating. My cousin told me yesterday she had a show dog that had same symptoms after eating some old dry food that sat wet for a while. She took to some Veterinarian school in PA and it was hard to diagnose but, her dog was eventually cured. I hope she is going to be able to tell me what Meds she gave her dog to cure it. Dog seems to be drinking normally, eating a little better but, still not great appetite and throwing up a little mouth full or two similar to acid reflux. Do dogs get acid reflux? Sorry if I gave everyone TMI with such a long post.

I would try feeding your dog something that will be tastful to her. Try something like vets choice health extension, evo, california natural, eagle pack holistic select.

The foods that you are feeding her may not be agreeing with her and those are not good foods. Its also not good to keep changing a dogs food as often as you are.

Good Luck

[jasonjuicer]

Maybe you should try switching dog food... jk, I don't know