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garyb66
Jun 17, 2009, 05:35 AM
I have a 5 year old Shih Poo. The problem is that he has terrible eating habits. He throws up bile quite often in the morning, because he does not eat. The "vet" suggested we give him some baby food in the morning, which we do, but sometimes that all he will eat until later in the day. When he goes for a drink, he devours the bowl as though he will never get another one. We have tried to give him other foods during the day, but he just looks at it, smells it and walks away. He just had his physical recently and is healthy according to his "vet".
Wondering if anyone else has the same problem and if so what can they suggest?:rolleyes::rolleyes:

J_9
Jun 17, 2009, 05:43 AM
<moved from Children to Dogs>

ZoeMarie
Jun 17, 2009, 05:46 AM
Is he getting enough water?

garyb66
Jun 17, 2009, 05:51 AM
Thanks for getting back so quickly. Mackenzie (dog's name), gets plenty of water. His bowl is always there with water in it. Sometimes he drinks early and sometimes not till later in the day. We try and throw his toys towards his water as a reminder to drink. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

ZoeMarie
Jun 17, 2009, 05:56 AM
Try giving him a little food or a biscuit before bedtime. Sometimes this happens when a dog is very hungry and there's too much acid build up in his stomach. We had that problem with our puppy and started gradually giving her more food.

garyb66
Jun 17, 2009, 06:03 AM
Thanks, will give it a try. Perhaps some baby food or something soft that won't get "stuck" in his throat. (My wife worries a lot about those things).

ZoeMarie
Jun 17, 2009, 06:04 AM
Why would it get stuck in his throat? Lol

garyb66
Jun 17, 2009, 06:17 AM
I didn't think so, but as I said my wife is a worrier. We had a "Gordon" a few years ago, who suffered from epilepsy and after one very bad weekend of over 30 attacks, which did major damage to his brain, was put to sleep. Ever since then she has been "over protective" towards Mackenzie, in spite of being told by vets, "doggie care" where he goes and by everyone who knows her that she shouldn't worry and just enjoy Mackenzie.

ZoeMarie
Jun 17, 2009, 06:19 AM
If Mackenzie hasn't had any seizures I wouldn't worry about him choking. Dogs eat dry food all the time. I'm sure that's easier said than done for someone who had a dog with epilepsy.

garyb66
Jun 17, 2009, 06:29 AM
Thanks ZoeMarie will give it try over the next little while and see what happens

shazamataz
Jun 17, 2009, 06:31 AM
Boiled or poached chiken and rice, no additives.

Or... get his usually dog food and mix some raw beef mince in with it.
Works wonders for me with picky dogs who won't eat.

If you are worried something is stuck in his throat he would be coughing and drooling excessively...
Has he been to the toilet in the past day? (pooped)

garyb66
Jun 17, 2009, 06:41 AM
Thank you shazamataz. Will give those a try. My wife just reminded me that the vet had actually suggested giving him some food at night.
Yes, he has "pooped" that's one thing this little guy does this great regularity. He has his favourite spots and the only thing missing from these spots is a good magazine to read while he is doing his thing (the magazine is for him--not me).

shazamataz
Jun 17, 2009, 08:18 AM
If he has pooped it is very unlikley he has anything caught in his bowel or throat.

My dogs go mad for raw beef mince! So give it a go, just make sure you mix it with regular dog food as mince alone does not have all the nutrients they need.

Haha yes I feel like that sometimes, I need a novel when I take the dogs outside to poop! Little buggers have to sniff every inch of the yard before they go :rolleyes:

garyb66
Jun 17, 2009, 08:24 AM
Again, thanks. Wish I could poop as easily as he does!
Have a great day my friend