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I just rescued a dog from the pound. He was super skinny and dirty so my fiance and I took him home, gave him a good meal, and a bath. He took him to the vet the next day and found he had kennel cough and worms. The doctor prescribed hycodan, primor, and drontal for the poor little guy. It now seems the cough has gotten a little better, but he has barely eaten since we started giving him his medicine. He has gotten even more skinnier and barely has any energy. We tried hand feeding him and are now trying to feed him through a dropper, but nothing seems to work! We don't want to lose the little guy
Optional Information: Age: <1; Male; Breed: pitbull/lab mix Already Tried: Doctor says medicine causes drowsiness, but nothing about loss of appetite. Suggested hand feeding him or droppers, tried both but appetite hasn't returned. Still drinks plenty of water, but no food. He has become very frail and weak.
Just how old is this little guy? Has he had any vaccines yet?
He is about 14 weeks old. He has had his Bordetella and DHLPP on 5/18 and my Veteriniarian also gave him a Butorphanol shot when we were there 3 days ago.
OK, thanks. Is he vomiting or having any diarrhea?
No, nothing of the sort. The vet said he will be coughing up phlegm like substance from his kennel cough, which he has been doing. WHatever he has been coughing up is grayish in color and very "liquidy"
OK, thanks. I'm a little worried that he may have something more severe than just kennel cough, possibly Pneumonia. Often, young pups can progress from just having kennel cough, to full-blown pneumonia, which will cause their appetite to be very limited, and without proper diagnosis and treatment, can be fatal. There's also the possibility of Distemper virus, since the full vaccine series hasn't been completed yet -- he's not yet immune to Distemper. I would have to recommend having some chest x-rays and some blood tests performed, in order to determine just how ill he is. If he's not eating, he will most likely need to be hospitalized on IV fluids, which will also allow the administration of IV antibiotics to help battle the infection.
Experience: Small Animal Medicine and Surgery