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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Labrador off his food?

8 replies

Hercy · 19/07/2013 08:39

My 10.5 black lab is off his food - normally he wolfs it down as soon as it hits the floor. But he left a bit of lunch yesterday, and wasn't interested in breakfast at all. Until I put some poached chicken in, which he ate and in doing so, ate some of the biscuits (hills science plan).

It's hard to know whether its just the heat or whether the may be a problem. To be honest, I'm probably a bit over cautious, and would normally have no problem taking him to the vet, just to be safe.

But a couple of months ago, he had. Bad experience at the emergency vet - he'd managed to eat some plastic which had got stuck in his bottom, which was obviously painful to have removed, and the emergency vet was very 'matter of fact' (to put it mildly - he told me off for comforting the dog as it 'endorses his whimpering). As a result, he is scared of the vet (discovered when I popped in to buy wormer) and I struggle to get him through the door. So I've been taking him along, trying to build up some positive experiences, let him sit in the waiting room then take him home.

So, my question is really, am I being silly about the lack of interest in food, considering it probably amounts to one full meal he's not eaten. Or would you take yours to the vet? I just don't want to undo the confidence building in the vet for the sake of something silly. But equally, if he's likely to have a problem, I'd always rather take him to the vet. Are your dogs off their food a bit in this heat?

Thank you and sorry for rambling.

OP posts:
Hercy · 19/07/2013 08:40

Sorry, should be 10.5 month old labrador

OP posts:
SallyBear · 19/07/2013 08:56

Ignoring the whole vet issue, it's either heat related or he's ingested something. Has he been swimming in any lakes or ponds? Blue algae is nasty stuff and make them very ill. I would take him to the vet. He's probably got a temperature so they will give you some advice and maybe an antibiotic shot to be sure. Lots of drink and just simple food. Scrambled eggs, chicken and rice, white fish and rice - small amounts until he picks up again. But I would take him to the vet.

tabulahrasa · 19/07/2013 09:32

If he'll eat chicken and he's otherwise fine in himself personally I'd leave mine another day. But it just depends how worried you are tbh.

Mine is off his food because of the heat, but he's a finicky eater at the best of times.

Hercy · 19/07/2013 09:48

Thank you very much for the responses.

It's good to know that the heat has affected other dogs appetites, so this isn't necessarily anything to worry about.

I think I'll give him some chicken and rice for his next meal at lunchtime and see whether he eats all of that. So will have a bit more information to tell the vet and see what they advise.

OP posts:
SallyBear · 19/07/2013 09:55

You could just ring and speak to the vet? That what we do and take it from there. As long as he's drinking, that's the important thing.

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 19/07/2013 10:13

Both my dog and my puppy are eating less in this heat. I'm feeding them late in the evening when it's cooled off a bit to make sure they eat something.

1MitchellMum · 19/07/2013 10:40

The main question is whether he's drinking or not - they can quickly become dehydrated without fluids. Is he OK otherwise? Gums OK? Interested in other things as normal? I wouldn't force him to eat now - a day or so without food probably doesn't make a difference to most of us. Is your vet open tomorrow? (I'm more likely to take my dogs to the vet on a Friday or Saturday if I'm not sure, but if it's Monday then I'd leave it a day if not serious.)

tabulahrasa · 19/07/2013 10:48

Oh aye - I'd forgotten it's a Friday, we're in week 3 of the summer holidays up here, I've lost all track of time, lol.

If your vet isn't open tomorrow you maybe want to go today, just in case.

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