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Originally Posted by varietypack  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!! |
I too would worry a lot with one that age and that small and anorexia issues. Personally, as a breeder, I do not let them go to a pet home when they are that tiny I don't care how old they might be by then and am particularly concerned if still so small at that age.
I am not saying it may be so in your little ones case, but the small ones like this have a far greater chance that something is wrong, that is why it is tiny.
I prefer to keep them BA test after at minimum 6 mos of age, full blood panel as well, then wait and see. If it is determined they can handle the anasthesia then I procede with spay/neuter and watch and wait again.
There can be other issues than liver shunt, such as immature or embryonic kidneys, growth hormone or glandular problems that something isn't working quite right, heart issues. Some of these things cannot be tested for, some can be.
It is possible none of the above are true for your little guy but these are issues one should be aware of before purchasing and I would recommend not buying one at that age, that small.
Yes they can do fine at the breeders home but given a new home and situation, the stress of change can bring issues,if health problems are there, over the threshold and symptoms can appear that would have eventually anyway if still in the breeders home.
During a pregnancy, the mothers system supports the fetuses. Once they are born, the puppies systems has to support themselves. If there are no health issues they are fine. Some health issues will not be seen in the first months of life sometimes even up to a year old. But as the puppies system is supporting itself and compensating over time for a health issue eventually the puppies system cannot do it anymore and you will see problems that can get worse instead of better.
I don't mean to frighten you and as I said, it may not be the case for your puppy. He may very well be fine. All you can do now is watch and keep close tabs on him. I would BA test once he is over 6 mos unless you are seeing other clinical signs of LS then test now. At the same time you can run a geriatric blood panel that can check for kidney/liver function and other issues reflected in a full blood panel if there are other problems.