No Appetite, vomiting

#1 · March 23, 2022, 5:35 pm

Hi, My Dog is 11 Years old Pomeranian, suddenly she has developed viral fever for last 5 days which is now cured after Veteran's medicines. Though she has lost her appetite and is not touching food at all. Whenever the veteran is told about this he comes over and pierces a few shots and says she will be fine but it is not working. Recently she vomited (yellowish) with no food which I am assuming is due to heat and acidity of the medicines given to her. She is a very happy and jovial dog in nature but the otherwise is now is so evident in her behaviour, please suggest what shall I do.
Thanks

#2 · March 23, 2022, 5:38 pm

Quote from dragondawg on March 23, 2022, 5:38 pm
What was the Vet's diagnosis for the fever, and what drugs were used? What drugs did he inject?

Often if testing is inconclusive or missing, a Vet will make a diagnosis of "Fever of Unknown Origin", and then treat using antibiotics. It is not uncommon for a dog recovering from an infection, and high fever to be anorexic afterwards. Commonly Ondansetron (Zofran) is prescribed after intestinal, and some metabolic nausea problems. It lasts 6-8 hrs. The most recent, and favorite anti-nausea drug for Vets is Cerenia which lasts approx 24 hrs. It's more expensive than the Zofran. Both of these can by injected by a Vet, in addition to pill form. Thus, the question as to what did the Vet inject. Both are usually highly effective in blocking nausea, originating from the intestinal nerve pathways. Consult with your Vet, and obtain an anti-nausea drug, if one hasn't already been prescribed.

Assumed is that the dog is continuing to drink water, with no nausea after immediately drinking the water. The yellow vomit is coming from the upper small intestine.

It is possible for some antibiotics to irritate the stomach. Consult with your Vet about giving Prilosec 12 hrs before giving the antibiotics, or other meds.

Even after the nausea is controlled, and no vomiting is present, a dog may be reluctant to eat. In the past I've used tuna fish, or plain yogurt (active culture) to try to get my geriatric dogs back on feed post infection. Alone or with a little dog food. Also smearing a very small amount of peanut butter on the food, just enough to scent each dog food kernel is a good try. If that doesn't work then consult with the Vet about prescribing Mirtazapine, which is an appetite stimulant. Usually takes 1-2 hrs to work.

You need to consult with your Vet, and come up with a plan to block the nausea, protect the stomach from being irritated, and then get the dog back onto its regular food. Hopefully in consultation with your Vet you can get your geriatric dog back on its usual food soon, without the need for additional tests.

What was the Vet's diagnosis for the fever, and what drugs were used? What drugs did he inject?

Often if testing is inconclusive or missing, a Vet will make a diagnosis of "Fever of Unknown Origin", and then treat using antibiotics. It is not uncommon for a dog recovering from an infection, and high fever to be anorexic afterwards. Commonly Ondansetron (Zofran) is prescribed after intestinal, and some metabolic nausea problems. It lasts 6-8 hrs. The most recent, and favorite anti-nausea drug for Vets is Cerenia which lasts approx 24 hrs. It's more expensive than the Zofran. Both of these can by injected by a Vet, in addition to pill form. Thus, the question as to what did the Vet inject. Both are usually highly effective in blocking nausea, originating from the intestinal nerve pathways. Consult with your Vet, and obtain an anti-nausea drug, if one hasn't already been prescribed.

Assumed is that the dog is continuing to drink water, with no nausea after immediately drinking the water. The yellow vomit is coming from the upper small intestine.

It is possible for some antibiotics to irritate the stomach. Consult with your Vet about giving Prilosec 12 hrs before giving the antibiotics, or other meds.

Even after the nausea is controlled, and no vomiting is present, a dog may be reluctant to eat. In the past I've used tuna fish, or plain yogurt (active culture) to try to get my geriatric dogs back on feed post infection. Alone or with a little dog food. Also smearing a very small amount of peanut butter on the food, just enough to scent each dog food kernel is a good try. If that doesn't work then consult with the Vet about prescribing Mirtazapine, which is an appetite stimulant. Usually takes 1-2 hrs to work.

You need to consult with your Vet, and come up with a plan to block the nausea, protect the stomach from being irritated, and then get the dog back onto its regular food. Hopefully in consultation with your Vet you can get your geriatric dog back on its usual food soon, without the need for additional tests.

#3 · March 23, 2022, 5:39 pm

I am concerned about this dog because it sounds like she is given medications without a veterinarian's prescription? Is the veteran giving injections that are meant for people to the dog? What are the veteran's medicines used? Several medications meant for humans are not meant for dogs and can cause serious problems. Also, at this age dogs need bloodwork before being given medications as they can be harmful if there is underlying liver or kidney disease.