Dog off her food (unlike her)

[Lovemusic33]

My girl is 12 years old, has started to slow down a lot over the past few months, she had major surgery last year and I almost lost her, she seemed to have new lease of life after the op but then started slowing down, she sleeps a lot, doesn’t bounce around anymore and is much quieter. Put it down to her age as 12 is quite old for her breed. The last 2 mornings she has turned her nose up at her breakfast which is unlike her. She has no other signs of illness, her nose is nice and wet, gums are pink and her poo’s are solid. She has been struggling with the heat so it could possibly be that. She hates going to the vets (she gets so upset in the car) so I don’t want to take her unless I really need too. Should I wait a couple days and see how she is?

My 8 year old dog has not been eating in this heat. Usually he scoffs his food but he won't eat it until evening. He's even turning his nose up at crusts. So it may just be that but if you're worried maybe give them a call

I've just been leaving it down and he may have a couple of bites now and then through my he day

Could be a combination of heat and her slowing down. My dog won't eat in the mornings if he hasn't woken up enough to have had a run about.

this was my old girl the last few weeks also, I put it down to the heat, old age and not getting her new coat through as quickly as previous years (an Akita) I put off going to the vet. I really dont mean to worry you, but it was my biggest regret. I kept thinking she would bounce back she always has before. but my vet took her in for two days, to run bloods then give medicines steroids via a drip, and few other things hoping she would build some appetite and strength for further investigation. she was discharged for the weekend to allow her home recuperate before further tests, so it wouldn't be so stressful for her, on the Monday I was calling the vet to my home to let her go.

I would give your dog another morning and take her to the vet this afternoon just to be on the safe side, it could be exactly what you think she is old slowing down and the heat is put her off her food, and she had a little worry in the car, but is fine.

I honestly dont want to scare you but I wish I had someone to tell me this two weeks ago. she may not like the vet but it could be the difference between having her longer or having to say goodbye, every dog is different and every situation is different. I wish I had taken my old girl when she first went off her food, as she may have had more strength and willpower to get better..

sorry i know it seems harsh i really dont want to upset you but take her just to have a once over, it could be nothing better for piece of mind

Can you help her cool down this morning, and offer her more interesting food and see what happens? Otherwise, I'm inclined to agree with the vet check up tomorrow.

She was a bit unsettled, walking in and out the back door this morning, sniffing her food and then walking away. She did this once before when she got fed up of dry food which is why she’s now on wet food. Maybe I should try a different food?
She’s now fast asleep and still hasn’t eaten. I. Working until 2pm so will see if she has eaten when I return, if not I think I will try a different food before calling the vet.

She’s slowly picked at her breakfast throughout the day. Her nose now feels dry and she’s just been sleeping most of the day (doesn’t follow me outside like she usually does). She has a smell about her, slightly eggs, maybe dehydrated. She doesn’t drink much, how can I get more fluids into her when she doesn’t drink much water? Is there anything else safe to give her to drink?

Wet food will at least have a slightly higher water content, and might tempt her to eat.

Will she take cooked chicken from your hand? Maybe a mush of chicken, rice and water? That's how we get water into our camel stubborn dog post-surgery or illness.

Spring water from a tin of tuna? The spring water packed ones obviously, not the oil cans.

Will she crunch on ice cubes or lap at already crushed ice?

To encourage our dog to drink we give him ice cubes to crunch or put them in his water bowl which seems to make it more attractive to drink from.

I wouldn’t hesitate to take her to the vets given her age, being off her food and generally not herself.

My greyhound drinks far less than other breeds but even he is drinking more at the moment although he is eating less as he hates this heat too. Does her skin show signs of dehydration ? I am not sure dogs should have anything other than water - can you try and use a syringe to squirt some water into her mouth? Can you speak with a vet this evening? I would get her checked out.

Thank you. Her skin seems fine, her nose dry (was wet this morning). I will call the vets as soon as they open tomorrow. She doesn't seem uncomfortable in any way, just lethargic. I have just been out to water the garden and she hasn't moved off the sofa, usually she would follow me outside and keep an eye on me. She just seems less active, her tail still wags when I rub her tummy. I will sleep on the sofa with her tonight so I can keep trying to get her to drink.

OP please keep us updated about your furbaby, x

Thank you crazy. I stringed water into her moth last night as she hadn't got off the sofa almost all day, she didn't ask for dinner last night. I eventually left her and went to bed at midnight. She's now woken up and is wondering around, I'm going to try her with breakfast and then decide if she needs to go to the vets. I'm hoping it was just the heat getting too her. She's awful and drinking (rarely drinks) which is why I give her wet food.

Please take her to the vets - ofcourse she needs to go!

You sound like a great Mum to your girl, really hope she's ok. Mine really hates the vet too.

Totally understand, non drinking dogs are a nightmare. Hope the vet is non eventful.

She seems much better this morning, has eaten her breakfast and been out in the garden, I’m going to take her for a gentle stroll on the field out the front of the house, thinking she might be feeling a bit down due to not going out for a few days. I will be keeping a close eye on her and encouraging her to drink but at the moment she seems better.

And I know she could do with a visit to the vet but it’s going to be so hot today, she gets so upset in the car that her heart races, I don’t want to make her feel any worse if it’s uneccesarry.

If she has eaten and is up and about id put her lethargy down to the weather and just keep an eye on her. If she goes off her food again then give them a call. They may do a home visit but of course you'll pay a premium for that.