I bought Tyke when he was 5.5 MONTHS, weighed 2.3 lbs and had the exact same problem. It was an 8 hour drive from his home, during which time I was becoming increasing worried because he refused to eat. - (the breeder prepared food for him for the trip) Then, after a few hours to settle in at this end, he STILL didn't eat.
I tried EVERYthing, including the diet the breeder had raised him on....which he hasn't touched since. In the end, I had to forcefeed him a.d.(a calorie dense soft food from the vets) over the weekend...which he resisted hugely. I was SO frustrated, he was so tiny I was afraid of breaking him, and forcefeeding him was unpleasant for both of us. There was food in his beard, on his front legs, on ME, everywhere but down his mouth.
He was checked at the vets on Monday - who found nothing wrong and he's been HORRIBLE to feed ever since.
I homecook for him (which sometimes he eats... and sometimes he doesn't) He USUALLY eats raw well.. but will sometimes go off it for no reason.
In a bigger dog, I'd play "hardball" and let them go hungry until they were ready to eat, but Tyke gets hypoglycemic so that isn't an option.
His last vet visit he was up to 2.15 lbs. and I was elated, but since his vaccines (a week ago) he's been off his food AGAIN. I'm sure those extra ozs. have melted away and he's probably back to his normal, boney, 2.5 lbs.
I've NEVER had a dog like this, I think he truly would starve himself to death... or at least into a hypoglycemic coma. Has anyone else had experience with this?
Good thing he's so darn cute!! |