starstruck
Oct 13, 2012, 06:43 PM
My 16 year old Shepard - Chow mix (currently 19.8 lbs) has dropped a few pounds from her last good weight of 23 pounds. She has been diagnosed with Cushings - and this is the 2nd time - we reversed to Addison's last April and all went well, no vomiting, no diarrhea, no hospitalization, and at the time no loss of appetite.
Unfortunately, this time is a bit more tricky. She is supposed to be eating about 400 calories to maintain her body weight. Now with the weather cooler, I am trying to ensure her immune system is not compromised and that she maintains her weight, hopefully picking up a few. She is not a typical Cushings patient as she lost weight instead of gaining. This confused the vets then but assisted diagnosis this time.
She started Lysodren treatment Saturday September 29th and last weekend I discovered the perfect combination of canned chicken, rice, bread, egg, that she seemed to like well enough to chow down well. This was not so great the next day, and now she won't even touch the canned chicken. Even cheese - she has ALWAYS loved cheese! I used to give her Science Diet a/d critical care on top of her Science Diet High Energy Active (600 calories in a cup) and that did the trick.
Now she refused the stuff. Both the regular dry dog food and the food enhancer. That is why I reverted to canned chicken to entice her. She will eat her dog treats from the Natural Pet Supply store. The last good meal she ate was 2 days ago. I was so encouraged last week, but Sunday her appetite declined until Monday evening. She did well Tuesday and Wednesday, but Thursday, she barely had 160 calories from a slice of bread and force feeding a bit of the critical care in her jaws.
She is getting too smart, she used to eventually chew, now she lets it sit a while, then spits it out. This is the 3rd day of poor eating. Today she ate part of a biscuit with some dog treats, but that is all I could get her to accept. Eventually she gave up on the treats and turned her nose up at the biscuit too.
What can I do now? She needs to eat - only 10 more days of Lysodren until we go for a check-up / percortin shot if needed. I don't want her to lose any more weight - she has maintained the 19.8 for a week now. Gaining would be great, but I am just focused on daily eating to maintain / sustain her at her current state. Her limbs are weak, and some myopathy creates problems walking. Each day is a surprise, one day OK, then the evening is poor or dragging her butt. Then with support she does better, but still weak.
UT has been a great cheering corner as well as my vet here in town, but I want to make sure I am doing everything possible to encourage her appetite and keep her well enough to survive the treatment. Please help.
Unfortunately, this time is a bit more tricky. She is supposed to be eating about 400 calories to maintain her body weight. Now with the weather cooler, I am trying to ensure her immune system is not compromised and that she maintains her weight, hopefully picking up a few. She is not a typical Cushings patient as she lost weight instead of gaining. This confused the vets then but assisted diagnosis this time.
She started Lysodren treatment Saturday September 29th and last weekend I discovered the perfect combination of canned chicken, rice, bread, egg, that she seemed to like well enough to chow down well. This was not so great the next day, and now she won't even touch the canned chicken. Even cheese - she has ALWAYS loved cheese! I used to give her Science Diet a/d critical care on top of her Science Diet High Energy Active (600 calories in a cup) and that did the trick.
Now she refused the stuff. Both the regular dry dog food and the food enhancer. That is why I reverted to canned chicken to entice her. She will eat her dog treats from the Natural Pet Supply store. The last good meal she ate was 2 days ago. I was so encouraged last week, but Sunday her appetite declined until Monday evening. She did well Tuesday and Wednesday, but Thursday, she barely had 160 calories from a slice of bread and force feeding a bit of the critical care in her jaws.
She is getting too smart, she used to eventually chew, now she lets it sit a while, then spits it out. This is the 3rd day of poor eating. Today she ate part of a biscuit with some dog treats, but that is all I could get her to accept. Eventually she gave up on the treats and turned her nose up at the biscuit too.
What can I do now? She needs to eat - only 10 more days of Lysodren until we go for a check-up / percortin shot if needed. I don't want her to lose any more weight - she has maintained the 19.8 for a week now. Gaining would be great, but I am just focused on daily eating to maintain / sustain her at her current state. Her limbs are weak, and some myopathy creates problems walking. Each day is a surprise, one day OK, then the evening is poor or dragging her butt. Then with support she does better, but still weak.
UT has been a great cheering corner as well as my vet here in town, but I want to make sure I am doing everything possible to encourage her appetite and keep her well enough to survive the treatment. Please help.