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My chow mix of 11 years has suddenly stopped eating. A trip to the vet and a complete CBC showed nothing except a higher hemocrit? level. Vet has us trying Pepcid AC 20mg BID for a week. Is there anything else we can do?

Submitted: 394 days and 12 hours ago.
Category: Dog
Value: $15
Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION
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Optional Information

Age: 11; Male; Breed: Chow/Golden Retriever mix

Already Tried:
Mixing a quality canned food to his diet, administring 20mg of Pepcid AC bid, bland chicken and rice.

Posted by RebeccaVet 394 days and 10 hours ago.

Answer

Hi XXXXXXXX,
Were any tests besides a complete blood count (CBC) done? Was a chemistry panel, which would give you information about liver and kidney values, or Xrays done? Is there any vomiting or diarrhea, or just not eating?

A high hematocrit means a higher than normal red blood cell count. This can mean you, like me, live at a high altitude, or that the dog is a little dehydrated. I would want to know more than his cell counts, so if a chemistry panel wasn't done, it should be. If it was, and he still isn't eating, then you should get Xrays next.

Pepcid is an acid reducer, and I find it helps a lot with nausea and vomiting. If it doesn't help within a day or so, then I want to look harder for the reason that the dog is not eating. I would not wait a week. In the mentime, encourage him to at least drink fluids to combat dehydration. I think you need to follow up with your veterinarian. Good luck, Rebecca

394 days ago.

Reply

Yes, a full chemistry panel was done, and liver and kidney values were good -for a dog his age, she was pleased. He did have some vomiting episodes for three days or so before he stopped eating. He is drinking water, and seems to be staying hydrated. Xrays were not done. I have not seen any stools, as he goes off on his own for that. Vet did not do xrays as she was suspect for stomach tumors and said they were difficult to see on xray.

Answer

Hi XXXXXXXX,
If he is still not eating, I would do Xrays next. You are right, a stomach tumor wouldn't show up, but the other abdominal organs would. If the Pepcid doesn't get him eating soon, I would pursue further diagnostic tests. Try to find out if he has normal stools or not, that is relatively easy.

Until we know more about why he is not eating, I can't recommend any medication besides the famotidine (Pepcid). Try to tempt him with cooked chicken, babt food, etc. Rebecca

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Expert: RebeccaVet
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 700
Answered: 10/10/2008

Dog Veterinarian

23 years of companion animal practice, with interests in internal medicine and behavior

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