:( Vegas, our golden retriever , has been sick. He will be 5 in August. He got sick over Memorial Day, he wasn't really eating. After a vet visit and blood test one vet said he had a thyroid problem and needs medication for it and we could see where to go from there. Well my husband wasn't too thrilled with her so we took the blood tests to another vet. The new vet agreed with the thyroid diagnosis but wanted to get to the bottom of the stomach issue first. Well we tried special food and he threw up and blah... blah... and then ended up with 2 x-rays that showed nothing and spent 2 nights (June 4 and 5) in the hospital. He seemed to be perked up last week, but not fond of eating. So, we have worked on that slowly. (And doesn't eat well at all-compared to old Vegas). But the doctor gave Vegas Rimadyl last week for the one day he had trouble getting up on his back legs (which I think was just from not eating and being weak). But as of today, I am stopping it, because I finally did some research on it, and the drug doesn't seem to great. It also shows a side affect of loss of appetite, vomiting, etc... that sounds like him. So, I'm hoping if we stop it, that his stomach will calm down and he will start eating well again. If anyone has any thoughts or ideas... please help!! I also gave Vegas chicken breast last week for 3 days after he came back from the hospital and he ate, but the vet said to stop it or he will not eat dog food again. I've been reading that they won't starve themselves, but it's hard not to think that. Does his thyroid have anything to do with it, or his medication for it. So many questions... I have to say since he has been on the thyroid meds he will play ball with anytime I go and ask. I've been showing him extra attention of course and he's always willing to play, so that is where it is hard to watch him not eat but be so playful. Please help. :confused:

I would maybe go back to the first vet. Give the dog the thyroid medicine. If he is back to at least eating some of his normal food, keep offering it to him, and give him time to get back to normal. If his stomach still seems unsettled, you can go back to the boiled chicken breasts and rice for a few more days. Eventually getting him back to dog chow, is a matter of your will power. At least most Goldens are anxious to please.

It will be hard, but try not to worry. You can worry your dog sick. He is sensing your tension, and his stress from it can cause digestive troubles.

We do have him on the thyroid med. The 2nd vet put him on it with anti vomit pill also, and that helped a little. Yesterday he went for another blood test after being on the thyroid med of 2 weeks and to see if anything else could be found and his liver count is up, so they are having a specialist come in to do a ultrasound of his liver. I am glad they found something (not sure if it is the problem) but I just want to get to the problem to resolve it and I'm hoping it's not too serious or that we caught it early enough!