[ekbutler]

We have a 9 year old Lab that was diagnosed with Kidney disease and after several days of her being on an IV, lab work has confirmed that she has Leptospira, which at least gave us some hope that we knew what to treat. We also had a cat scan which showed the kidneys were small and that the architecture within was compromised. Due to the Leptospira being found and even though there is damage I want to give her every chance to survive. We have kept her on antibiotic IV's during the day and brought her home at night for her comfort. She began all of a sudden,throwing up every meal at home before going to the vet the IV and the vet says that she will not eat and if she will not eat and keep her food then we cannot treat the problem with oral antibiotics. We realize that she cannot stay hooked up to an IV 24/7.
The first night home two days ago I cooked chicken and rice and she gobbled down a chicken tender but no rice. She kept it down so I gave her a bit more and then the next AM gave her another chicken tender. She ate all and kept down. I was feeling that she was going to start again so we took her in for the daily IV, brought her home last night and after coaxing for an hour she ate a small amount of some low fat hamburger meat that I cooked but would not eat much nor any chicken. I tried again this AM and no way would she eat a thing but would drink water. I did put a small amount of peanut butter in her mouth and she swallowed it but would eat no more but again would drink some water. I want her to fight and win but cannot figure out how to or what I can do to make her eat so that we can keep her at home and give her a quality of life while fighting the disease with antibiotics orally. I guess then we will have to figure out how to get her to take those. I would really appreciate any help or suggestions you may have - Ken

[labman]

As a rule, the best way to give a dog pills or capsules is to place them as far back in its mouth as possible, tilt the head back and hold the mouth shut. Stroke the neck until she swallows. More so with one you are lucky to get to eat anything.

Getting her to eat is a tougher one in the rare cases like this where it is needed. Have you asked the vet for ideas? With progress fighting the disease, her appetite should improve. You could try adding chicken broth to her regular kibble. Any of it you can get her to eat, will help maintain a balanced diet. The chicken and hamburger is better than nothing, but getting her to eat some rice would help too. Maybe try it with the chicken broth too.

You might read through the sticky at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post254171
But there isn't much to help in this case.

[ekbutler]

Do you think that I should make her eat broth by way of a large medicine dropper to pump nourishment into her?

[labman]

A better question for your vet.

[ekbutler]

Thank You