These could be affecting inability or lack of desire to eat:
1. Esophagus full of food/thick saliva: can be from food not going down to the stomach.
– Try getting upright (vertical) 20-30 minutes
– Try giving some thickened fluid through a medicine dropper
– Need to see a DVM or vet tech to get hydrated
– May need subcutaneous (SubQ) fluids or IV drip
2. Nausea: From vomiting too much, or from too much gas in esophagus/stomach.
– Cerenia injection from your veterinarian may help
– Might want to give stomach a chance to calm down a bit first
– Make sure still hydrated
– If sleeping, try to elevate so food and/or saliva and liquids have better chance not to pool
– Your dog may be gaseous too
– May need to see veterinarian, but at least warrants a call to yours if lethargic and not interested in food after a few hours
3. Facial muscles not working properly: May be sign and symptom of Myasthenia Gravis (MG), sting or bite from bug or snake, allergic reaction to something else, etc.
– Might be trying to eat or drink but can’t
– See your veterinarian to figure out why and treat there
4. Aspiration Pneumonia (AP): This is a very serious condition and needs to be evaluated and treated immediately with your veterinarian.
– They should take X-rays (3 views) to confirm
IMPORTANT: You should see whitish areas on lungs BUT sometimes, as Dr Kathy tells us, the whitish areas won’t show up for up to 24 hours, so knowing your dog and being aggressive and proactive in beginning treatment for AP is often critical. IF you wait for it to be confirmed, it may be a very tough fight with potential to lose your dog. Make sure you become very familiar with the Aspiration Pneumonia (AP) information provided here as well.
– Should begin treatment for AP immediately if suspected – under care and discussion with your veterinarian
– May need to become familiar with how to perform nebulizing and coupage as part of treatment at home (see both those pages a well)
– Discuss when to try feeding ands what to use
– Consider your dog may have a sore, inflamed, or irritated esophagus so may need treatment for that as well
What to try to feed her and when: (with all scenarios above)
– You know your dog, so act according to what you observe
– Would suggest at least calling your veterinarian and see if you need an appointment
– Discuss when to try feeding ands what to use
– May need to get hydrated using SubQ – your vet can discuss this with you
– Consider your dog may have a sore, inflamed, or irritated esophagus so may need treatment for that as well