still not eating

Question
hi patti remember me erica? um i have another question for you . we tryed to feed my dog belle chicken broth and she ate alittle but she stopped . i wanted to force feed her but  me and dad are more comfortable with mom helping and shes at work so dad paniced and now him and belle are on there way to the vets . do you think because she hasent been eating ANYTHING means they might have to put her down?


                            from, SCARED ERICA

Answer

Hi Erica,

I hope your dad had some good news to share with you when he got back from the vet, and that your dog is doing better today.

I don't have all the info on your dog's kidney condition, so I can't say if she needs to be put to sleep or not.  Many times dogs who have a Kidney disease get an upset stomach. When this happens, the vet may instruct you to use an antacid or Vitamin B supplement to soothe the dog's stomach, which can make her more willing to eat.

If your dog's kidney disease isn't too advanced, giving her an Omega-3 fatty acid supplement can be helpful in reducing kidney inflammation (which helps them to work better) as well as slowing down the progression of kidney failure. Flaxseed oil, Cod liver oil and Salmon Oil are good sources of Omega-3 fatty acids. If your vet says it's okay to give your dog this supplement, mix 1 tsp (5 ml) per 20 lbs. into your dog's food. Vitamin E is often recommended along with the Omega 3 oils, it helps with the metabolism of fats and also has anti-inflammatory properties. A standard dose is 800 IU of vitamin E daily, but you should run this past your vet, to be sure of your dog would be getting the correct dose. Vitamin E usually comes in soft capsules, you can just break the capsule and mix the liquid Vitamin E into your dog's food.

It's terribly sad seeing a beloved pet get sick, and worry about whether or not the pet needs to be put to sleep. I know you love your dog dearly, and will provide her with all the care she needs.

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti