My dog on heartworm treatment isn't eating. Is this normal?

I'm sorry Aria has heartworms! The fact that she is lethargic and has a decrease in appetite is concerning, and this can be due to the sudden death of a large number of worms from the treatment. When a dog becomes lethargic as well as has a significant decrease in appetite, it's recommended to have them seen by a vet right away. I would take her into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website. She needs to be checked out by a vet to make sure everything is ok. I hope this helps and that she feels better soon!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding the stray dog. It is difficult to say why his appetite is a bit decreased. I recommend continuing offering him food as you have been doing. If he demonstrates other signs of illness or seems to be losing weight, then that would be concerning. In this case, I would try to seek veterinary care for him if possible. Otherwise offer him food as normal and monitor his intake. He could be finding food elsewhere and appetite can vary with environmental temperature and stress levels. Good luck!

It is quite possible that he is nauseous from the medicine or he had a lot of worms which are now dying and that is causing him a tummy ache. Don;t feed him for 12 to 24 hours and then offer him some bland food such as boiled white rice and boiled white boneless chicken. Feed him small portions often. When he has regained his appetite he should be fine. There is a possibility that he will get diarrhea as well for a day or two as the body is going to try to get rid of the worms as quickly as possible.

This treatment could cause lethargy, it's quite common and this is one of the reason restriction is a must. if she becomes too lethargic you might need to take her to the ER, especially if you notice abnormal breathing.

Thank you for your question. As far as decreased appetite, that will depend on the method of treatment your veterinarian is using to treat the mange (there are numerous ways we now treat this disease), as some medications can cause decreased appetite or vomiting, but not all. I would recommend calling your vet and letting them know Heisenberg is having decreased appetite. It is possible it is related to the medication and they may want to switch or provide an appetite stimulant, but it is also possible something else could be causing this issue. Best of luck to you and Heisenberg!

Many female dogs will lose their appetite while in heat (on their period), which can last up to 3 weeks and generally occurs every 6 months if they are not spayed. If she is still playful, runs and barks, and does not have any diarrhea/is not vomiting, I would give her the heartworm pill on schedule. Best of luck! And keep her away from males if you are not looking to have puppies in 2 months!

I'm wondering if you mean you gave Buddy a dewormer. You can see some stomach upset from giving a deworming treatment, as it can be due to the dead worms moving through the GI system, but it shouldn't stop him from eating completely. I would be concerned that he could have a medical illness causing him to not eat and have deceased drinking. Because of this, I would have him checked out by a vet right away. Best of luck.