[firemedwife]

hi everyone, I need some help. I have an 11 year old cocker mutt and she is very sick. About 2 1/2 weeks ago she started not being able to jump up on the bed or put a lot of weight on her right hind leg. She would never whine, like it wasn't hurting her at all though. About a week ago she started vomitting bright yellow stuff, that's when I realized she hadn't really eaten lately. She only vomitted for a couple of days but now she still will not eat. It's been six days and all she's had is a dozen treats. I took her to the vet on Tuesday, was given pain meds to see if it was her leg. I was told that if she didn't get better to call the vet back on Thursday. She didn't get better and I took her back yesterday. The vet did x-rays and found nothing and said if she doesn't eat by Monday it's time to put her down. Now she's always been a healthy dog, if fact about six months ago during a regular vet check up the vet thought she was only about 6 years old because she is so energetic and healthy. She is still that way told, even though I know she's sick. I just feel that it's not her time to go but I also don't want her to starve to death. Any ideas to what's wrong?

[labman]

Eleven is getting up there for a Cocker, but I hate to see you give up too soon. The solution is not finding some tempting food that she will eat. Likely it would just come back up. There is something wrong. It may or may not be anything that can be cured. If you really want a few more years with her, perhaps you should try a second vet.

[firemedwife]

Thanks for the advice, the problem now is that she doesn't throw anything up, she just doesn't eat a whole lot. I just got her to eat some cooked hamburger but she didn't eat as much as a "normal" dog would.

[labman]

If her stomach is settled down a little and she is eating a little, she may be over whatever the problems was. I would give her a little more time. It doesn't hurt a dog to go several days without eating. More so if it is overweight like most dogs. Here is a chart to determine her body weight and how much to feed her when she has her normal appetite back.

September 07, link to chart replaced with LongLiveYourDog.com - Life Span Study - Rate Your Dog

[fredg]

HI,
I would definitely try a second Vet, one with blood sample analyses capability, or with someone who sends the blood sample for analyses. There could be a chemical body imbalance, which could possibly be helped with medication. An X-Ray wouldn't show any of this.
I am so glad that she is eating some now. It's your decision as to another Vet, and I do wish you and her, the very best.

[firemedwife]

Thanks for the advice. We won't seek another vet because we are with the best one in the area (from small town). He is a very good vet and has already ran blood tests on her and found nothing. She is still limping and she's to be uncomfortable in certain positions. I know she is hungry because I can hear her stomach growling but she is just not interested in food. In fact, if you put any food in her face she turns away, completely digusted. The vet is stumped and so are we.

[labman]

How concerned is the vet about her not eating? Is he urging you to find something, anything she will eat? If so, he may have better ideas than the hot dogs or cheese I would suggest. The boiled hamburger and rice is more for calming an upset digestive system than tempting a dog to eat.

Has the vet mentioned the chance of Lyme disease? I guess wait and see as long as she isn't suffering too much. It may get better, or bad enough for the vet to recognize something. Wish I had some real help.

[VLynn123]

I would definitely get another opinion. Putting a pet down is a very difficult decision. I'm dealing with my puppy not eating or drinking the way she normally does. She's gone through 2 surgeries in one week, and still waiting for an answer. If one vet doesn't have an answer, see a specialist. I highly recommend it.