My old dog won't eat due to degenerative condition, what can I do?

I am so sorry to hear that Ruby is experiencing this issue and I am sure it is upsetting for you both. I would suggest trying a bland but appetising diet such as boiled boneless chicken breast with steamed white rice. This diet is bland and easily digestible, while also hopefully enticing Ruby to eat with chicken. Provide plenty of fresh water as well. If Ruby doesn't anything in the next 24 hours, becomes lethargic, depressed, collapses, vomits or has diarrhoea profusely, or you notice any blood, then I advise taking her in to see her vet. I hope this answer was helpful and that Ruby starts to feel better soon.

If she’s in pain she may not want to eat. I’ve found doing some gentle massage and heat to the neck and back can often get them to relax and feel better so they may eat something. Most dogs love wet cat food so I’ll often try that, placing a small amount into her mouth or on her nose so she licks it off. If needed I would take her back for a recheck and they can give her fluids so she doesn’t get dehydrated. Hopefully as she gets better from the bruising her appetite will return. Please keep up with the broth too. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for T.T.

I'm sorry Memi isn't doing well at the moment! You did the right thing by taking him into the vet, and I hope you get some answers with the blood work. If he ate scrambled eggs this morning, I would feed them to him again. Add in some boiled white meat chicken (no bones) as well. At this point in time, it's fine to feed him whatever he will eat to keep nutrition in him. Try some turkey (again no bones), maybe some steak but cut off the fat. You want to avoid fatty food because that triggers pancreatitis in dogs. You can also try soaking his food in gently warmed low sodium beef or chicken broth. That may tempt him to eat it. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Any calories at this stage are welcome so boiled chicken and rice, with some vegetables, would be a good option if she is willing to take it. Vitamins/minerals such as the nutritional gel or a tonic would also be recommended whilst she is undergoing investigations for the cause of her poor appetite (kidney, liver or cushings disease would all be possibilities)

Poor guy. Your vet should be able to prescribe several medications to help with Ozzy's pain including: Gabapentin, Tramadol (mild pain control in many cases), Fentanyl patch, Rimadyl (NSAID, for pain) or even Hydromorphone (if severe). He may not be eating due to the pain, so its important to get him something prescribed as soon as possible. A simple phone call should be able to get him the pain medication he needs. We call this palliative care (keeping the pet comfortable) when dealing with inoperable cancerous masses. Until then, you can try offering him some plain boiled chicken or lean ground turkey and white rice OR canned baby food (meat/vegetables) to hopefully entice him to eat something. I DO NOT recommend any over the counter human pain medication as these can be very toxic to pets causing acute liver or kidney failure. I do hope that Ozzy's pain can be managed well soon! Best wishes and take care.

I am very sorry to hear that Mr Dolly isn't himself. I would try to tempt him to eat with boiled boneless chicken breast and white rice. This diet is bland and easily digested in case he has a gastrointestinal concern brewing, but also highly palatable. It is okay for a dog to fast for many hours, and is often their instinct when their gastrointestinal tract is upset. If Mr. Dolly continues to refuse to eat, starts to vomit or have diarrhoea, you notice any blood, he is lethargic or depressed I would advise a trip to the veterinarian.

I'm sorry to hear Brownie is unwell. I am concerned that the pain medicine is causing a stomach upset making him feel nauseous and not want to eat. Many pain medicines can do this as a negative side effect. Stop giving medicine to him and take him back to your vet to discuss what to do. They may need to run a blood test and give him stomach protecting medicine.