Fussy eaters

Question
I have a 14 yrs old poodle (the cocker spaniel sized one) who has an enlarged heart. I took him to the vets recently during a hot spell because he had breathing difficulties. The vet has now got him on a course of meds to reduce fluid build up in the chest cavity and to lower his blood pressure. He is now almost back to his old self but the meds are long term. We were giving the meds to him in small pieces of chicken or potted beef spread, just very small amounts. He is now refusing to eat the hypoallergenic food that he always had prior to his meds. He will eat chicken and rice but apparently, nothing else. I am worried that if I take the previous advice and let him get hungry enough to eat the dry food that I leave out for him, that it may affect his health.At the moment I am happy that he is taking his tablets and I can always sort out his food later, on the other hand I do not want to go back to when he was a year old and have to start to wean him off chicken again, which was a laborious job. He normally has James Wellbeloved's dry kibble which has no additives and he has been on this for years on the vets recommendation due to the fact he has a delicate stomach and certain foods upset it badly. James Wellbeloved's kibble has been a Godsend for his stomach.
Will starving him until he eats it again not affect the meds and his health?

Answer
No physically and emotionally sound dog will starve itself to the point of collapse or death.  Showing anxiety around meal time (when the dog is not eating as he should) is a strong cue (and elicits or creates conditioned response, one which he may be resurrecting!).  Most dogs with food problems have owners who have created those problems out of kindness, concern and anxiety.  Find something else to offer the medication in (a smidgen of cream cheese (low or fat free).  You appear to be falling back on a food that has caused problems in the past.  Tablets can also be administered manually by placing them on the back of the tongue to one side of the dog's throat, then massaging the throat.  You might ask your Veterinarian to demonstrate this technique.  Go back to the food that's worked for the dog all these years.  Call the veterinarian and report this problem and ask for his/her recommendation, to be sure that "starving" the dog until he eats his accustomed food won't harm his health.  If the veterinarian gives you the go ahead, go for it!  Don't give in to behaviors from your dog that manipulate YOUR intention, which is to keep him in optimum health for as long as possible.