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annej · Feb 28, 2005, 07:01 AM

I have a dobe puppy aged 12weeks, he is a nightmare, I have not stopped worrying over this pup since I have had him, He dosen't eat and he has had blood on and off in his poo since I have had him, The breeder and the vet say that it is all diet related, he has loads of tests all negative I have spent a fortune on vets bills and different types of foods. I have got him on the moment chicken and a complete dried food, he won't eat it! He won't eat chicken and rice or eggs or fish. I am tempted to go and get a tin of commercial dog food and see if he will eat that. He is very active drinks water no problem!
I really want to start enjoying this pup and stop worrying can anybody help

koriani · Feb 28, 2005, 07:19 AM

For one thing, switching his food all the time can irritate his bowels. It can also make him stop eating.

Take away his food COMPLETELY for 12 to 24 hours to let his bowels rest. Then try giving him something bland, such as a meat baby food (veal, lamb, turkey, etc). Also, try giving him Rebound which is a liquid nutritional supplement for cats and dogs.

If he likes the baby food, keep him on that for a day or so, then try something like Hill's Prescription Diet I/D which is also made for intestinal issues. They have a dry and canned so you might start with the canned and, after a day or two, mix the canned and dry.

The hard part is going to be getting him back on the dry once he's had all the canned but it can be done.

Remember, dogs and cats go through a teething period where they lose their teeth. It can sometimes be hard for them to eat dry food when this happens.

Another food that is easy on the stomach is Iams puppy.

Change things slowly... don't switch cold turkey. And only change one thing at a time. Otherwise you won't know what's working and what's not.

Hope this helps!

Regards,

annej · Feb 28, 2005, 07:32 AM

Thanks, for that I will do exactly what you say, I have had dogs before but always rescue dogs about a year old. I never realised how much worry and how much work a pup would be. But that said he's mine and I've got him for keeps and I love him to bits. Just wish I could relax , I don't think I worried this much about the kids!!

labman · Feb 28, 2005, 08:20 AM

I go along with Koriani's answer. He could use a break, and then a consistent diet. As long as he isn't eating much, changing what you are offering him, shouldn't make much difference. Eventually you want him on a commercial, dry food. I would be offering him adult food. Once you find the right diet, you want to stick to it. Feeding puppy chows to large breeds after 4 months causes too fast of growth exacerbating genetic joint problems. Likely the Hill's Diet I/D is an adult chow, and may be a good choice. I put one of my Labs on Hill's CD before I normally would have made the switch to adult chow. My Sheba was 4 months old last Thursday, and will finish off the last of the puppy/adult blend today and be on straight adult chow.

I still don't like the blood in the stool. Perhaps you should seek out another local vet for a second opinion. A 12 week Dobe is quite capable of ingesting something that it could not pass, but could damage its bowels. 12 weeks seems awful young to be having eating problems. The usual reason dogs won't eat is because they are over fed. Most young puppies will snarf down anything they can get and look for more. Some of them as they get a little older will refuse to eat more than they need, often less than the bag says feed them.

annej · Mar 1, 2005, 03:25 AM

He refused the baby food, after being starved for 15 hours, he passed a small amount of blood this morning in his stools.but the stools he has passed since then have been soft but no blood, Shall I now try the hills puppy food which I managed to get yesterday?

Somebody has mentioned to me that he could have piles! Due to the fact he has had diahorea on and off since I have had him, and this could be causing the blood in the stools do you think this is possible?
He is not a sick puppy he does sleep a lot but I put that down to being a puppy, when he is awake he is playfull and full of energy