My dog forgot how to eat

Question
QUESTION: I have a miniature Daschund that recently had 10 incisors removed - all 6 on the bottom and 4 on the top.  The surgery was 2-1/2 weeks ago.   I've been force feeding her with a syringe for about 3 weeks to keep her nourished.   Now it seems she's forgotten how to eat!   Last night she went to her water bowl and just stood there.  It really seemed she wanted to drink but didn't know how.   Can you suggest anything I can do to help her remember how to eat?  I've tried offering her everything she loves, chicken, you name it, if I can think of it I offer it and she just turns her head.   Now, I'm trying putting soft food on my finger and into her mouth hoping she'll get the idea of how to eat.  She licks it and takes it down but there's no way she would eat it on her own.    My vet has done all the tests and examined her physically to see if she may have pain and says there is nothing wrong with her....he's mystified.

ANSWER: Hello Ellen,

May I ask why this dog had so many teeth removed?  How old is she? Any other health condititions? What foods are you trying? What was she eating before?
I seriously doubt she has forgotten how to eat, I think you may need a second veterinary opinion, ubt for now if you can fill me in a bit more I will look at what I can suggest foodwise.

All the best, Catherine



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Catherine,
Thank you for the quick response.  Casey had the teeth removed because the teeth were loose and the vet said there was serious bone loss.  Her other teeth are fine they were cleaned and tartar removed.
She's 8 years old.  This long saga started on Thanksgiving, when she was lethargic and not eating or drinking.  We took her to the vet after she had vomited once.   They did a series of blood work - full panel including a test for Lyme.   All of her levels were normal.  A different vet did a full series of xrays and physical exam and determined she had a pinched nerve at C6.   A course of steroids over a 1 month period and she was back to herself.  In about 3 weeks she presented with similar symptoms, a return to the vet and he suggested the same treatment as we were successful with this before (although she didn't have the same response to the physical exam of her spine).  So a loading dose of cortisone and oral steroids, 3 days later she still wasn't eating and was very weak.  Return to the vet; blood work showed extremely high lipos levels and she was hospitalized for pancretitis (although she didn't have classic symptoms for this).  Over the next two days her blood levels returned to normal, she still hadn't eaten and she was discharged from the hospital.  I began to force feed her because I knew she needed to be nourished.   On a follow-up visit to the vet we discussed her loose teeth and decided that they should be removed as soon as possible as there was no other reason that she would not be eating.  She urinates and has formed stool.  She accepts the force feedings without struggle.
Before she stopped eating she was eating Purenia One kibble with boiled chicken on top.  We'd give her treats (Good Bites) and she'd eat them.  She first began refusing the kibble and just eating the chicken, then she refused the treats.  We switched her to Mighty Dog and she ate that with gusto for about a week then started eating less and less of it until she would eat nothing.  At that point she was drinking, then right before she was hospitalized she stopped drinking as well.
I'm force feeding meat baby food and Hills AD along with Adult Cal gel.   We've offered her chicken, broth, egg, liverwurst, even a little ice cream (which she use to love) - if I put the soft things in her mouth she 'licks' them down but she will not take anything on her own - including water.  She stands over her water bowl puts her head down and doesn't seem to know what to do.
I've been force feeding since 2/1; her teeth removed on 2/6.
I appreciate your interest and input,

Ellen

ANSWER: I'm sorry to hear your dog experienced bone loss and dental problems on Purina One, but honestly it doesn't come as a huge surprise. I would at this time strongly recomend a balanced home made diet for your dog which ahs all nutrient required for maximum immunity and recovery as well as some additional supplements for gum repair and inflammation. I recommend a low fat diet until she has made a recovery and then have the enzymes checked again. I'm happy to help you with this if you wish; please refer to my Services Page at
http://www.thepossiblecanine.com/services.htm.

Sometimes a dietary issue is beyond the scope of what I can deal with in a few lines of advice; this is one of those cases.  I'd love to help you help your dog back to health, but there is just no way to cover it here.
Let me know if you would like to discuss a consultation.
All the best, Catherine

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Catherine,
Thanks for the information, I have checked your website and your services.  At this time I'm not in a position to avail myself of them.
My immediate concern is getting her to drink and eat on her own.   Do you have tips for re-teaching this?

Thanks,
Ellen

Answer
I would use highly palatable foods, use variety, and puree everything. Use the syringe until she starts to get the hang of chewing without teeth. Try cooked meats (of all kinds, that means turkey, beef, liver, lamb etc) mix with water and puree. Cook and puree sweet potato, white rice, try to mix some starch in with it. Try a little bit of butter. Use variety. Try yogurt - everything should be room temperature. Try canned green tripe, mixed with water. Try premium canned foods such as Merrick's. Try babyfood.

And best of luck,
Catherine