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#1
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How long can a dog go without food?
Hi everyone,
My 12 year old dog Mickey's last meal was Thursday evening. Today is Sunday. Thursday past midnight he vomitted several times as well as Friday.He couldn't keep water down. I talked to a technician at the vet's office Friday night and Saturday morning and followed their advice: no food or water for 24 hours and then start giving bland food in very small amounts. Mickey's last vomit was Saturday morning; it was yellow bile. He can now drink water OK but doesn't want to eat at all. We even tried cheese and peanut butter but he wants nothing. He spends most of his time sleeping and doesn't have his usual energy. If he doesn't eat today I will call the vet tomorrow morning and hope they can find time for Mickey. On the phone, the tech told me he could have eaten something bad or maybe he caught some kind of flu bug in the air. We have no emergency vet services here. He hasn't eaten for 2½ days. Should I force him to eat something? How long can he fast before it become something to really worry about? At least he is drinking and urinating Ok. Thanks for your replies.
__________________
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" Mahatma Gandhi |
#2
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I am not sure but I believe they can go for awhile without eating (unlike cats). Your dogs symptoms sound a lot like pancreatitis, though, which can be deadly (which I unfortunately know about first hand). Your dog needs to see a vet. I would not force-feed the dog. When my dog had pancreatitis she could not eat or drink and had to have IV fluids. I read up on it and I do recall that dogs with this probably should not be fed, their digestive system needs a 'break' and they can go without eating for days, sorry I do not remember exactly how many. I'm not saying this is what your dog has, but really he needs to be seen by a vet and asap. Hope your dog feels better soon!
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http://www.catster.com/cats/702907 http://www.catster.com/cats/703259 http://www.catster.com/cats/703269 http://www.dogster.com/dogs/669963 |
#3
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Here are a few links for you with pancreatitis info:
http://www.judithstock.com/Speaking_...s_in_dogs.html http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dpancrea.html http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/pancreatitis.html http://www.pets.ca/encyclopedia/pancreatitis_dog.htm
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http://www.catster.com/cats/702907 http://www.catster.com/cats/703259 http://www.catster.com/cats/703269 http://www.dogster.com/dogs/669963 |
#4
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Quote:
Quote:
don't force the dog to do anything. a dog WILL eat when ready. just make small amounts of food available incase he does want it. in the meantime, I'd make arrangements to get to a vet first thing in the morning. |
#5
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I did try bland food: boiled rice and small pieces of boiled beef. He didn't want it. I tried only a very small amount of peanut butter and a very small piece of cheese just to see if he would at least take it. I wasn't going to give him more than that; I do know it's not bland food. I am still giving him the bland diet today, but he does't want to eat.
This morning, I talked to a vet in another town who is on call this weekend in our region. I explained all of Mickey's symptoms. He told me it could be a number of things but that his situation seems better because he can drink water without vomitting and that I should take him to my regular vet tomorrow even if he starts eating. In his opinion, I can wait till tomorrow. But if things get worse, I can make the 2 hour trip to see the emergency vet. That clinic is open until 8 o'clock tonight. At least he is drinking and peeing. Tomorrow morning I will call my vet and insist they take time to see Mickey.
__________________
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" Mahatma Gandhi |
#6
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I'm sorry to hear your dog is sick. I'm no vet but if he's drinking, could you try some diluted chicken broth?
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#7
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Good news! Mickey ate some cooked rice/beef late his afternoon. I mixed a few tbsp with warm water and gave him the plate. I was sure he would turn away but he ate everything. So far so good, there is no vomit and the sparkle is back in his eyes. After 3 days, he seems to be getting better.
__________________
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated" Mahatma Gandhi |
#8
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Glad to hear that Mickey is feeling better. Don't let him over-do it for a day or so, and IMO I would still take him to the Vet tomorrow to make sure that whatever the problem is, has been solved!
__________________
RIP Harley Sept 7/02 - Aug 11/07 Buster (6 yr old Tzu/Bichon) ************************************** Don't let someone become a priority in your life when you are just an option in their life. |
#9
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TrooperRat
What happened with your dog. I'm going through the same as you. Did he survive?
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#10
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Dogs can go a long time without food, but not fluids. They need supportive care, and the cause of the issue also needs to be found and treated.
I have found homemade chicken bone broth to be a lifesaver for a non-eating dog. |
#11
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Quote:
Have you checked inside his mouth to see if there anything wrong , is he pooping OK ? I would call the vet as they know your dog medical history and could tell if you should bring your dog in for a check up. I always like to be on the safe side . |
#12
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My dog is 6. Her first trip to vet she was treated for hook worm and given Sucralfate for the vomiting. Second trip she was prescribed an antiobotic Clavamax and given a Vitamin K injection. I will call Monday to make another appointment. However after a lot of time on the internet today I think I have just diagnosed her myself. She has every symptom of Boxer Histiocytic Ulcerative Colitis: Mucus in stools, blood in stools, soft unformed stools, vomiting, anorexia, weight loss and lethargy.
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#13
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She would need care for this, probably from an internal medicine specialist, also to verify the diagnosis.
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