pet wont eat

Question
I am not seeking free advice I have been working with my vet for weeks now and so far we can't figure out the answer.  My dog weighed 7and a half pounds before becoming ill he is part Lhasa and part chihuahua.  Always a healthy energetic dog.  In nov. he ate a string of berber carpet and ended up with surgery to remove almost 6 foot of it from his intestine.  Then he was better and a bruised section of intestine sprung a leak. another surgery and he was a new dog for a couple of weeks.  At thanksgiving I think I let him have too much people food and he started some vomitting .  So Monday back to the vet.  After hospitalizing him for 5 days they got the vomitting and diahrhea to stop.....but he won't eat.  He has lost weight and the only food is food I force feed him.  I don't know what to do.  They mentioned possibly transfusing him with blood from a healthy dog.  They are giving him fluids every other day although he will drink on his own just not enough.  I don't know what to do but would appreciate any thoughts or expertise you could lend.  Please help Cody I love him so much he is not in pain and all his blood tests are good.  Please  HELP!

Answer
I would try B 12 injections to see if that will stimulate his appetite.  I would be concerned about pancreatitis.  Have the vet check a TLI as well as B12/Folate levels.

Since he is missing so much of his intestines, he really should be supplemented with digestive enzymes such as Viokase and this would help if there was any inflammation or deficiency in his pancreas as well.

If he will take it, I would continue force feeding.  If he won't take it, then he may need to have a stomach tube placed for feedings.  Prescription A/D food, Clinicare and Meat Baby food are all good options for syringe feeding.  I would also try to offer cottage cheese, plain yogurt, raw liver, cooked chicken, veal, fish...to see if he is interested in these high quality food sources.

Unless he is anemic, the blood transfusion will not change his appetite and could cause more reaction.  OXYGLOBIN can be given to help boost up his oxygen blood levels.