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Need help dog won't eat.

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U

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
So the story is my son has had this German shepherd since he was just a puppy 2 weeks or so. He's had this dog for about 5 years, it's probably the most intelligent animal i've ever seen. However, last week my son left to go to university, and unfortunately his dorm room prohibits animals.

The dog(boxxy) just sits by his room door and sleeps he's there almost 24 hours a day. He won't eat a thing, we took him to the vet and he said there wasn't anything wrong with him. He's gotten skinny and sickly looking and we arn't sure what to do, we really don't want to put him down because my son loves this animal.

Can we make him eat? What can we do here?
 
skelaki

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#2 ·
Well, the first thing I'd do is go to a different vet. No healthy dog will starve itself so obviously something is wrong.

And I would hand feed him anything healthy, whether dog food , baby food, or so-called people food that you can get down him. Is he drinking water?
 
P

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#3 ·
I know you say he wont eat anything....but what about microwaving is food for 5 or 10 seconds, add gravy or water to soften his food. (if dry food)

Definatley see a vet though.

Try buying a big teddy, maybe this will help replace your son??

Paws
 
RonE

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#4 ·
When I was a college student (many, many years ago) I'm told that the family beagle would mope when I'd go back to school after a break. Eating wasn't a problem (he was a beagle) but he would howl mournfully at night - which WAS a problem.

My mother gave him one of my T-shirts. Apparently it smelled like me and comforted him and he'd stop howling.

We are all fond of saying that a healthy dog won't starve himself but I do think it's entirely possible for a dog to be physically sound and an emotional wreck. I'm trying to avoid anthropomorphising, but it's clear that this dog is upset and it could certainly be affecting his interest in food.

I would get a second vet check, though, to rule out any possible physical problems.
 
E

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#5 ·
The first time my last GSD Kazi was left with my parents, she went on a food strike. She sat and looked out the window or sat in the yeard and looked down the driveway where she last saw me.

My parents took her for walks and hand fed her really good stuff.. yeah.. like cooked hamburger. They did things with her.. broke her focus. By the time I returned from vacation, she was fine, tho VERY happy to see me and go with me.

I think if they had no interfered.. taken her with them places and done things with her.. she might have pined herself away to nothing too.

Of course, I would get a second opinion on this dog from a different vet. There are apetite stimulants you can give dogs and they WILL eat. I would also do all I could to keep her in the area you are in.. not let her pine away in your son's room. You will need to get him up and out. Fact is, I might restrict him from going IN your son's room.
 
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hulkamaniac

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#6 ·
A visit to another vet won't hurt. I have heard of dogs pining away. My parents (before I was born) owned two dogs. One dog got out and got hit by a car. The other dog wasted away and refused to eat. My dad at one point tried to feed the dog t-bone steaks both raw and cooked. The dog simply would not eat and sadly, eventually starved. I do hope this doesn't happen to your dog.

Is it possible for your son to come back for a visit? Something with his scent on it may help as someone else suggested. I think the key is to get the dog to start eating again. Once he starts again, he'll probably be fine.
 
P

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#7 ·
hulkamaniac said:
A visit to another vet won't hurt. I have heard of dogs pining away. My parents (before I was born) owned two dogs. One dog got out and got hit by a car. The other dog wasted away and refused to eat. My dad at one point tried to feed the dog t-bone steaks both raw and cooked. The dog simply would not eat and sadly, eventually starved. I do hope this doesn't happen to your dog.

Is it possible for your son to come back for a visit? Something with his scent on it may help as someone else suggested. I think the key is to get the dog to start eating again. Once he starts again, he'll probably be fine.
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Christ, that sounds terrible....

Couldnt imagine my dog starving himself.
 
hulkamaniac

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#8 ·
PawsPup said:
Christ, that sounds terrible....

Couldnt imagine my dog starving himself.
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From what my parents said it was horrible to watch. My parents were broke back then. They were using a card table as a dining room table and 2x4's and cinderblocks for shelves. It was the "we ain't got money, but we got love" years of their marriage. Yet my dad was popping for t-bone steaks for the dog who wouldn't eat. From what I've heard they tried everything even getting another dog as a replacement companion, but nothing worked. I don't know if they ever took the dog to a vet or not. This was 30 some odd years ago so things were a lot different in the pet care world.
 
hulkamaniac

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#10 ·
After reading this thread I'm starting to get a little freaked out. I have a 10 year old basset hound and a 1.5 year old cocker. The basset will move on to the rainbow bridge in the next couple of years for sure and I'm not sure how the cocker will take it.
 
U

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Discussion Starter · #12 · (Edited)
good news after another vet appointment the vet tried to get some food in him, and he started eating a little bit, but he was still moping around the house. So we just decided to get my son an apartment that allows pets near campus, he says the dog is eating fine now and back to normal. It's pretty amazing how these animals are now days.

Thanks for all the help guys
 
B

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#16 ·
Undermine2k said:
good news after another vet appointment the vet tried to get some food in him, and he started eating a little bit, but he was still moping around the house. So we just decided to get my son an apartment that allows pets near campus, he says the dog is eating fine now and back to normal. It's pretty amazing how these animals are now days.

Thanks for all the help guys
Click to expand...

I think its a pretty great thing to do that. My first semester of college I was an absolute mess- so stressed out and away from my family. Then I got Charlee, and now I have Trout too, and we're a little happy family here- but I still get to be right next to my university! Best of both worlds :)
 
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