Can't get Lucy to eat! Please help!

GSD lover · 06-15-2006, 10:19 PM

If anyone can help at all please do. The Great Dane we adopted today won't hardly eat a thing. She just acts like she is so famished that it takes to much energy to even eat. She got all her shots today and fixed. They gave us Rimadyl for pain to give her. Could she not be eating because of the medicine or because of getting the shots today? We got her puppy food to help her put on the pounds since she was malnutritioned to begin with and she ate a couple kibbles of it but no more. So, just to get something in her tummy we got her to eat about 1/4 of a lb. of cheese. And I made her rice trying to get her to eat something and she ate a couple bites. We are just very worried because she won't even get up to potty. We are going to call the vet tomorrow if it gets worse but I would really appreciate any help. Thank you.

Cheetah · 06-15-2006, 11:51 PM

It could be the shots and meds making her feel icky enough to not eat, but it could also be that she just got there, hasn't settled in, and doesn't have much of an appetite because of it. I wouldn't worry about it on the first day... but at the end of the second day then maybe call the vet.

GSD lover · 06-16-2006, 12:32 AM

(This is Gsd's husband) Just to give a quick update. We gave her the pain meds, and I let her rest for about 2 hours. She just woke up and chowed down about 2-3 full cups of puppy food. I am surprised she started eating this quick earlier she could barely move cause of the pain/lack of energy. The only problem she is facing now is the german sheperds big nose following her around everywhere

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bigdawgs · 06-16-2006, 07:02 AM

She will come around. Danes are VERY people oriented. I don't know her background so I can't say with any authority how long, butall the danes I know tend to be very forgiving of people and if you treat her kindly, she will be yours forever. They are curious, too and a new home is a lot to take in. I have done several transports and these dogs acted in a similar way. Make sure, though you establish the pack early on, though. an argument between a GSD and a dane is not something you want to happen. PLease Please post pics!@

Can you tell me how much she weighs? Maggie looks anorexic, she is 33 inches at the withers and weighs only about 90 lbs. Danes are supposed to be very lean, breeders in this country tend towards the greyhound look. European danes are heavier boned and stockier. Maggie is extremely healthy. We were so concerned about her weight when she was younger, we took her in to the vet every week or so for a weigh in. He sisters and mother were the same way. With those long legs, excess weigh is a huge issue, so slow weigh gain for her would be best.

Magggie looks like this when she lays on her side.

And yet she is at perfect weight.

GSD lover · 06-16-2006, 04:15 PM

Thank you for the advice all. She is doing very well now. She still isn't eating quite as much as I would like to see her eat but she is actually eating and quite upbeat and happy. I would say 70% better than she was yesterday. I would love to post pics of all my dogs but we don't have a digitial camera atm. My husband is thinking about getting one so if he decides to I'm sure I'll post too many pics and annoy you all with them.

sheltieluver4 · 06-16-2006, 04:40 PM

Well at least shes picking at her food, but shes new, give a, little time to settle in, she will eventually, and if u see this is going on for weeks and weeks, 1st try a new dog food, then go to the vet and see if theres any bladder,ect. type of inffection

OwnedBySix · 06-16-2006, 04:48 PM

Shewie...surgery, shots, new home...not surprising she doesn't have too much of an appetite yet

I see it all the time with greyhounds off the track. It is a shocker for them...and takes some time to settle in and get to feeling 'normal'. I'm glad she's picking at food now, that should make you feel a little better. Give her a good 4-5 days before you worry too much. Just make sure she's drinking.

Have fun with her!!