Alright - the internet has stumped me - I cannot find a solution, or even a decent message board on dog health problems, so hoping maybe some of you have an answer.
Our Bassett stopped eating a few days ago & we've done a lot of testing - she has a form of liver disease, extent unknown, but not looking good. The vet gave her a shot, and gave me a ton of meds to start her on & said she needs to eat in the next 24 hours, and the meds should help her do that & start work on reversing her liver damage. But my problem is she won't eat, and we can't get the pills down her. If we cannot get the pills down her, she most likely is not going to make it.
We tried to force down her throat & massage (which in the past has been very effective, no problems), but she absolutely refused & bit my husband. We tried crushing up pills and dissolving in water, because we can still get her to drink a little, but she won't drink it. And since she won't eat a thing, obviously we can't hide it in food.
We will end up taking her to the emergency vet on Sunday if we're unsuccessful and probably end up with an IV, but I'm still going to try anything I can to get them down at home.
She's a Bassett, so she's a big, strong, stubborn girl - not so easy to handle, plus she's very sick and protective of her space, as evidenced by the biting.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Been through something similar??? Recommend a good animal message board at least? Any advice at all is greatly appreciated.
Thanks everybody for the suggestions - it just didn't work - she was too far advanced & we had to put her to sleep today. But thank you for your kind words & suggestions>
Try the med wrapped in cheese or peanut butter and blow on his face as you hold his head. The blowing makes a lot of dogs swallow.
S.-
This may sound gross and please check with your vet first but have you considered giving her the pill via the rear end? I'm not sure if that would be any easier than the mouth but there may be less of a chance of getting bit by her. Good luck to you and your Bassett Hound!
We got my persian back to eating when she had a similar issue several years ago by giving her Turkey baby food (the first food kind). She loved that. Also, I know most vets are now closed, but there is a type of canned sciene diet food that is especially for this situation (labeled A/D). Although, I will say that did not work with my corgi in June. I would definitely just get her to the Emergency vet on Sunday (or even tonite) on the I/V. That's what we had to do with the persian (almost 4 years ago now) and she was at the regular vets for 5 days after that on I/V getting fluids and abx. Getting her on the I/V is especially important if she stops drinking.
Good luck.
The two ways I always got meds down my precious dog was (1) wrapped in cheese OR (2) put pill on tongue with one hand while the other places a little peanut butter on their nose. when the dog goes to lick the peanut butter off their nose (obviously don't cover the nostrils), then the pill you've place on their tongue goes down easy.
Hope that helps. Many Blessings - L.
Peanut butter...put it in a dab of peanut butter & then rake the peanut butter on the roof of the dog's mouth (like when you feed a baby). The pill should stick to the peanut butter, & the dog will have to swallow it. The
Does the dog have any favorite soft treats? Try to stick it in there & see if the dog eats it.
Good luck!
PB is good if she will eat. If she will not eat at all, use a baby medicine eye dropper... crush and disolve in water fill up the dropper, force feed like you would a baby.
We also have a basset baby girl. I wish you all the best!
*hugs*
Jodi
I second the peanut butter, no matter how bad my dog feels she always loves peanut butter. Good luck, hope she gets better
I just stumbled upon this, and I know it's too late for suggestions, but I just wanted to extend my condolences to you for your loss. I had to have my little mini-schnauzer put down about a year and a half ago, and it's still very painful. I miss him very, very much. However, it does get better--you have good days and bad. My daughter seemed to not be too upset when it happened, but in the last few months she seems to want to talk about it & even cry more about it. Don't be surprised by grief when it just pops up out of nowhere, and don't try to hide from it. Go ahead & feel those sad feelings, acknowledge them, then move forward. Bless you and your family, and take comfort in the fact that your sweet girl will be waiting for you in heaven (read The Rainbow Bridge--your vet probably gave you a copy, or you can find it online...a very sweet, touching poem.)
