Honestly..am i neurotic..or is my worry valid??? Hi everyone, Let me start off by saying that I "have" made "Biscuit" a vet appt. for tomorrow morning. This will be the third vet that I have taken him to. The other two vets both stated that "Biscuit" seemed fine. They saw no reason to draw blood on him and declined to do so. They both inferred that perhaps I was a bit fanatical over my precious baby. They each suggested the prescription ID food (he hates it) I know the reason for their lack of concern is because I have no specific symptoms to report, except that he just DOESN'T HARDLY EAT A THING. Biscuit is 6 mos old. My daughter and her close friend here in Tucson own his parents. The friend is a small breeder, very serious and only has puppies once in a while. From the day i got "Biscuit", I have loved him so deeply that I can not explain it in words. He was a timid puppy and we worked through that. He has NEVER been interested in food. The friend who raised the litter was giving him Pro Plan. Well i know this is a terrible food, however, I did not have to worry about giving it to him because he right off refused to eat it. I got on YT and every day I read all that I can about diet. I know that I have probably contributed to his finicky ways because I have literally tried every suggestion (except raw) that I have read here. He eats so little food that I cannot believe he has grown to be 3.5 lbs. He is happy, he is very playful, he has never had a hypoglycemic attack ( I give him nutri cal every day), He drinks water fine, he poos and pees fine. The only thing that I have witnessed from "Biscuit" that has always scared me is that now and then he will shiver for a few minutes. This does not have anything to do ( with eating) "specifically". He has done this since he was 12 wks old. When I brought him home in the car he shook so hard he almost rattled the car. As I said he was timid. If I held him and walked outside he would shake up a storm ( We live in Tucson it is very warm) He is not timid any more, goes bye bye , no fear, loves everyone, no fear. Once in a while he will shiver. I instantly run for the nutri-cal which he used to love and now hates. (because of me I suppose) One more factor that is important. I am on YT every day. I read, read, read, about liver shunts, encephalitis, MVD and I admit that I get very frightened of the thought. I know that I have become neurotic about "Biscuit" I am a very reasonable person. I am not , by nature, this way. I just want him to eat. I worry so that there is something wrong. I am turning to all of you ... asking that you will give me your straight opinion. I am confused, I don't know if I am creating the problem because he is so sensitive and I am so scared. There is no one that I know here who feels and understands this crazy love that I have for him. If I do express my concerns to anyone thatI know, they shake their head and say I worry too much. He is all that I have here in Tucson. He is with me all day at work (in home health nurse) He is very comfortable here as this is where I spend most of my time. I will not get upset if you think I am being neurotic. I am desperate. You will ask if he is thin...well...he isn't a rack of bones, he has a little layer of fat over his ribs. He is little, he was tiny when I got him. He is growing, no one else seems to think he is too thin. Help, how do I get "Biscuit" to take more than one bite of food here and there. Sorry this is so long, I just wanted to give you as much info as possible. , |
Have you tried homecooking for him Maybe he just doesnt like dog food I doont think your neurotic I too would be concerned if my dog werent interested in eating I would try homecooking or raw |
Try some mixing it with some chicken and rice or a soft feed and then slowly ween him off. I put a little dollup of cottage cheese on mine. |
I have a 3 lb. chihuahua that would hardly eat anything. She liked yogurt and fruit!! I called her my waif model by the way she ate. We finally started on homecooking and then now raw, Nature's Variety medallions and now she is a little lion!! She loves her raw food! She has built muscle mass, has a softer better coat and her teeth are cleaner too! I would try the home cooking or raw and see how it goes. If you are really nervous or worried around him when he is eating he could be picking up on that too! Try to relax and try something new!! |
My Summer is the same way very picky with her food. She is also on pro plan and loves it..... My vet said that she was very healthy and I should keep her on the food that works for her. I tried every other food.....nothing she would eat, she got sick and very thin. Pro plan isn't the top of the line but isn't the worst either. I like to see her well and look healthy, then watch her not eat. Just a thought for you. |
I had all the same worries you do and I worried about food as well. I thought Lily never ate and there is no way she could be ok. Then the vet sat me down and said Lily will not willingly starve herself and if she is growing obviously she is not starving. I was still frantic about her eating then I talked with a nutritionist and she told me with her size all she really needs is 1/4 cup of food a day. Well that put it in perspective and I no longer worried. Now she is on a diet LOL |
About the shivering ... does it only seem to be to be brought on by fear, or does he stop and shake out of the blue? I'm surprised that the vets are so resistant to do a blood panel ... I mean, you are the one paying for it!! Oscar had one strange episode that I thought was a hypoglycemic attack, and my vet strongly encouraged me to do the complete bloodwork. (Which came back normal). Hopefully the vet tomorrow will be more sensitive to your concerns and will go ahead and do the bloodwork to ease your mind. As far as the picky eating is concerned, I agree with the other poster who mentioned adding a little cottage cheese or chicken. A little low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth poured over the food might help too. Oscar was extremely finicky and it took me forever to find kibble that he'd actually eat ... he really likes Wellness and Halo. Recently I switched him to the prey diet, and now he's a maniac at feeding times ... he just about bounces off the wall he is so excited. In your case I wouldn't make any extreme dietary changes until you're sure that nothing more serious is going on. Good luck with the vet tomorrow and I hope everything is alright with your baby! |
What do the vets say about his weight and build? If his assesment is fine then there may be no reason to worry. My friend has a little guy who is 3years old and weighs only 4 1/2 lbs. He only eats food one piece at a time. He does have access to food all day long though for that reason. In my opinion, as far as the vet is concerned, you really should settle with one. You need to develop a relationship with a vet. Bouncing around is not going to help you or your baby. Settle on a vet and after you have seen them once or twice restate your concerns about his eating habits. Believe it or not vet offices do talk to each other so you could be developing a name of being paranoid. Just trust your vet to do the right thing the same way you do your family doctor. :dogprints Trevor |
I hope the new vet takes your concern a little more serious. I think all of us understand completely how smitten you are with your little guy. It has happened to all of us or we wouldn't be here ;)!!! If the shaking isn't related just to fear, I would also be concerned and request blood work be done. I definitely would not feed him the prescription diet food. It is just as bad as the ProPlan. You may have one who just doesn't like typical kibble dog food. I also would either try home cooking for him or one of the pre-made raw diets. It seems that most picky eaters really begin to gobble those up!!! And, it is definitely true that with premium foods, they require very little because of their size. 1/4 c a day is very normal and it is also a very small amount of food. Does he eat treats? There are some great, very nutritional treats out there. I personally love Ziwi Peak (you'll most likely need to order it) for my girls!!!! Good luck and keep us informed. |
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I agree on settling on one vet, but you want it to be a vet that is sensitive to your concerns. If you really have a gut feeling that something is wrong, then push with the vet. If your dog's thorough check up is alright, then try to relax and not obsess about the small stuff. Unfortunately, we can't always assume our human docs or vets will be right 100% of the time, and we have to be our own advocates. It's always good to get a second or third opinion. But a 4th, 5th and 6th might be overkill! |
Don't forget that this dog has a really tiny stomach and not much fits in there. If your dog is growing, chances are he's getting enough nutrition. My Gus was a shaker when I first got him, and he'll still do it a little when someone he doesn't know wants to pet or touch him. I wouldn't worry about that. |
I think perhaps you are worrying a too much. Here's why: 1--If he poops, then he is eating. 2--Your vet(s) are not worried 3--the puppy has put on weight since you got him 4--he is not too thin 5--he is playful You are a concientous pet owner, and that's good. But I honestly think you are worrying when it is not necessary to worry. I would also take it easy on the nutrical. I have never used it, but it is my understanding that it is not for everyday use. By the way, I would LOVE to get together with you and your little one. I am pretty new to Tucson (I have been here 2.5 years) and always ready to meet another YTer!!! |
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:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: I agree with this, one thing I've learned at 5 1/2 pounds Joey seems to need so little food. I'm use to feeding much larger dogs, and it's really had to get use to the fact that they need so little. You need to find a vet you trust, and stick with him. You sound like your doing a great job, now you need to learn to trust your vet. |
I LOVE YT because only the people here can understand my LOVE for my 4-month old puppy who is TINY and has an open fontanel. The people around me cannot understand my neurotic concern for my baby and laugh at me when I worry so much (i.e. i put on her clothes or turn off the aircon when she starts shivering from the cold, i buy her expensive dog food, i spend lots of time in a pet shop, i watch her closely while she plays with another puppy, etc.) If they were in my place and paid a lot of money to own an adorable yorkie, fell deeply in love and became attached to her instantly, and knew the responsibilities and complications when it comes to tiny toy dogs, THEY WOULD PROBABLY EAT THEIR WORDS AND NOT LAUGH AT ME. But how they looove to play, carry or pet my baby (even when she's sleeping they'd wake her up). And that's how ignorant they are, they thought toy dogs are just for play, no responsibilities, just for fun. |
sorry double post |
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