My dog won't eat. What should I do for a dog with no appetite?

That duration of inappetance is very concerning. Did you family vet prescribe some therapy, anti nausea medication? It sounds like your kid needs to see a specialist. For a case like this an internal medicine specialist would be the best person to see. A full abdominal ultrasound with an experienced ultrasonographer (either a radiologist or internist) is likely the first step if blood work and xrays are normal. Unfortunately some pets cases are complex and some disease processes require more advanced testing then what family vets can provide. Likely your family vet has ruled out some common things but an internist will look for the uncommon things. Unfortunately decreased appetite is a very non specific symptom because in animals when they do not feel good for any reason they can stop eating. Your family vet should be able to provide a referral for you if you are interested in this option. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

I am so sorry Chi hasn't been feeling well. If all the tests were clear then I would recommend having an abdominal ultrasound performed. This would look at the architecture of the intestines and stomach and see if there is anything else that could be going on with Chi. She could have pancreatitis, a foreign object, a bad gastrointestinal upset, and much more going on that may or may not show up on the blood work and might not even show up on X-rays. I would also recommend a bland prescription diet to help settle her stomach also. I would have a ultrasonographer or an internal medicine specialist to perform the ultrasound. I hope Chi feels better soon and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

I would take a flash light and look through her mouth really well. Including under her tongue. I have had a few cases over the year with painful wounds hidden in the mouth. Also, I assume the x-rays were of her abdomen? If she continues to not eat then I would also take an x-ray of her chest to make sure she doesn’t have an infection or something else going on there. The chest is a place problems can hide. In addition, upper intestinal partial obstructions can be very difficult to prove on x-rays. If we continue to have no answer I would ask for either a barium series or an abdominal ultrasound. She is young and an intestinal foreign object is high on my list of possibilities. Best of luck and keep looking! The answer is somewhere! I hope she improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

It looks like you shared urinalysis results. Was bloodwork run as well? If this is a urine test there appears to be a large amount of bilirubin in the urine which is very abnormal. If bloodwork has not been done it needs to be right away. There are several causes for the abnormalities on your kids urinalysis and for weight loss. Bloodwork helps rule in/out many problems. The next step will then likely be some imaging (xrays, ultrasound). Your kid is young, it is important to run more tests to get to the bottom of the weight loss/poor appetite. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Likely from what you are telling me, as well as your pet's age the drs are looking for masses (tumors) in the gastrointestinal tract or otherwise that would be causing Logan to lose so much weight. If your blood work is fine diabetes (one of the more common) has been ruled out and this should also mean your liver and kidney function tests fell within normal limits in your bloods. An ultrasound may be beneficial as well in looking for abdominal masses. I'm sorry you're having this issue with your friend. It sounds as though he is very uncomfortable. My best to you both.

The bilirubin is a bit high, as is the ALP (alkaline phosphatase) but neither of these values is super specific in terms of what the cause or the best treatment is. We can see the ALP be elevated with stress, age, and sometimes even normal cell regeneration within the liver. The bilirubin can be slightly elevated when the blood sample is what we call "hemolyzed," which can sometimes happen when blood is spun down for a blood test to be run. Therefore, if he is still showing symptoms of illness, I would echo what Dr Ana said; it may be time to consider imaging. Either X-rays or an abdominal ultrasound maybe helpful in identifying the problem and therefore identifying the best way to treat it. Take him back to the vet if he's still having troubles, as he probably is in need of some more fluids as well. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach, I hope he's feeling better.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Loss of appetite can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. It is not possible to help her at home without knowing what she has. I recommend that you have Loki evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a great day! Hoping for a speedy recovery!