I have a Ridgeback cross who is turning 1 tomorrow, she was poisoned and the lining of her stomach has been stripped because of this. Now I cannot get her to eat more than 2 or 3 teaspoons of stuff per day if that, we have syringed yoghurt down her throat. She is drinking water but I just want to get her to eat anything. Can anybody help with any suggestions.

What did the vet say about eating ? I imagine she is in discomfort and cannot make herself eat, though she could be hungry but cautious. What you have given her sounds okay but don't press her to eat. When she is feeling better she will eat but keep vet informed about her situation. It is great that she is drinking water at least.

What kind of poison was it ?

Thanks tickle for responding. We had a blood test done and it came back as toxin poisioning, we are going to ring up on Monday to see if we can find out what kind of toxin it was. We have been going back to the vet every second day and he gave us some protein stuff to put into her water, but said she can only have what we have given her, so she is on her own now. Yes I'm sure is hungry but is too scared to eat. Thanks again for replying to my question I will try anything at this moment.

I'm glad to hear she's under regular vet care. I was going to ask if the vet has recommended some kind of suppliments or even an iv. The fact that she is drinking water is very, very good. And I was also going to recommend syringe feeding if possible (and okayed by the vet.)

When my cat became very old and very ill, we kept him going with syringe feedings of baby food mixed with varying quantities of water in tiny feedings throughout the whole day. You might want to ask your vet if that would be okay for her, and if so, which kinds of baby food would be acceptable. Not all baby food is the same. Also, many people recommend checking to make sure it doesn't contain onions. I wish your pup lots of good healing. Poor baby. :(

Thanks I will try baby food. I have tried everything else.:confused:

Okay, it sounds like it's worth a shot. Just try to at least call the vet to make sure that it's okay. Considering how delicate her state is, I wouldn't want to give her anything that's too much for her. I can't see a reason that baby food and water wouldn't work, but I'm not a professional.

One thing that might help is to remember that dogs really eat with their noses. I have heard a trick from a pet talk show host and trainer for dogs and cats who lose their appetites. He suggests warming up the food a bit (they can smell it even more that way).

Also, I've heard him recommend putting the food in a ziplock bag next to a very smelly food like sardines or tuna, and then leaving it overnight. You're not supposed to mix them in; the idea is just for the regular food to take on a stronger odor. Obviously, the food thing is a step ahead of where your dog is right now, but you might be able to use the strong smell idea somehow to your advantage. Maybe you could let her smell some tuna or something to try to raise her appetite a little bit?

In any case, definitely try giving the food several times a day. Small amounts are easier to digest. I work at home and very close to home, so I was feeding my cat with the syringe up to 8 times per day. I don't know what your situation is like, but just do your best. 2-3 teaspoons of yogurt a day over the course of a month is very, very little food. I'm sure this has been very difficult to watch.

Also, keep the IV question in mind when you speak with your vet. A daily IV only takes a few minutes a day. Our vet here was giving our cat an IV every day for over a week. At one point, it really did save his life. Near the end of his life (he was very old), he needed them again, but we didn't want to stress him with trips to the vet. Instead, the vet showed me how to administer them at home. I am really, really squeamish about these things, but you'd be amazed at what you can do when you really have to. Also, any calorie and vitamin supplements your vet will give her would do a lot in helping her to keep from getting weaker than she is.

I wish you lots and lots of luck. My heart goes out to both of you!

Hey guys thank you for answering my question about my dog, but thought I would let you know that she passed away today. Thanks for the ideas and yes I gave her baby food in a syring and she loved it but I think she was too far gone. At least I know that I tried everything I could for her. REST IN PEACE ROXY.

I am very, very sorry to hear this news. :( I am glad Roxy was able to enjoy the baby food. I'm sure being able to eat a little gave her some comfort. You must be having a very hard time, but I am glad to know that you tried so hard. I wish you well as you go through the mourning process.

Did they ever find out what the toxin was or how she got it?

I would hate to think that someone gave her that poison, but you know it has been done by people. Our Walker Hound Taffy, ate some grass that had been treated with pesticides some years ago which turned her anemic (gums turned white). It effected her bladder whereby when she went to sleep her bladder would empty and she would wake up in a puddle. Poor girl would be so upset that happened because she is such a clean dog.

I say 'ate grass treated with pesticide' because after wracking my brain I couldn't think of anything else and that seemed th emost likely because her and I walk everywhere.

She recovered from all of that and stays the healthy happy old pup she always was and is. She is now 11 but you would never know it !

Sorry for your loss which is always multiplied with animals because they can't talk and tell us how to help.