My dog on Novox for arthritis won't eat. Is it the medication?

It is possible that he is feeling nauseous from the Flagyl....that daily dose for a 23 lb dog is often split into two daily doses. It is also possible that he may have a stomach upset/or even an ulcer from the Novox, especially if it was given on an empty stomach. NSAIDs do have the potential of causing vomiting and diarrhea in sensitive dogs. A bland diet of boiled rice and chicken for 3-5 days plus a stomach coating medication called sucralfate daily for a few days +/- an antacid such as famotidine + subcutaneous fluids and bloodwork could be appropriate next steps. I’d recommend returning to your veterinarian or seeking a new vet if you are more comfortable with a new vet. Hopefully the lameness is no longer an issue and with relatively conservative management the vomiting and diarrhea can be resolved as well. Good luck!

That is good that you stopped the Novox as this can sometimes cause vomiting / diarrhea. I would start a bland diet as suggested below and if the vomiting / diarrhea persist for more than 24 hours, I would contact your veterinarian and have Aspen seen for further treatments as there are medications we can give to stop vomiting and help resolve the diarrhea. You can give Pepto Bismol but I would only give this for 24 hours and no longer. The dose for Pepto Bismol would be approximately 7ml by mouth every 8 hours. Remember to not exceed more than 24 hours. If no improvement with this and the bland diet, then you should definitely get her seen by her vet. Please feel free to contact me with any further questions / concerns you may have. GENERAL INFORMATION A bland diet is a diet that is soft and highly digestible. It is low in fiber, fat and protein and is high in carbohydrates. Bland diets are generally composed of a single carbohydrate source and a single lean protein source. The most common bland diet is boiled rice and boiled lean chicken breast, without skin and bones. Since bland diets are low in fiber, stool production slows and defecation is less frequent. Bland diets are fed to rest the gastric system and to help promote normal stool formation. Animals that are physically sick should not be fed bland diets as a method of treatment. PRIOR TO FEEDING A BLAND DIET Pets should be fasted for 12 to 24 hours. Young animals should not be fasted for more than 12 hours. Fasting will allow the intestinal system to relax and minimize acid secretions that may irritate and inflame the intestinal lining. During the fast small amounts of water or ice chips may be provided. Never fast a sick animal, it may cause disease progression and death. BASIC BOILED RICE AND CHICKEN BLAND DIET RECIPE CARBOHYDRATE SOURCE: Boiled white rice LEAN PROTEIN SOURCE: Chicken breast, no skin and bones BOILED RICE: 1 part white rice with 3 parts water boiled for 20 – 25 minutes or until the rice is easily crushed. BOILED CHICKEN: De-fat chicken breast and boil in water for 10 – 15 minutes or until the chicken meat is easily pulled apart and cooked all way through. MIXING INSTRUCTIONS: Finely chop the lean protein and mix 2 cups carbohydrate source and ½ cup lean protein source. STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Bland diets can be premade and stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 48 hours. The bland diet can be cooked in a batch and frozen in feeding sized portions to minimize preparation time. Thaw and warm the frozen diet prior to feeding. PERMITTED LEAN PROTEIN SUBSTITUTIONS Pork loin, egg whites, low fat cottage cheese. 7% low fat hamburger, plain low fat yogurt. PERMITTED CARBOHYDRATE SUBSTITUTIONS Boiled potatoes, boiled spaghetti, Minute rice. PERMITTED COMMERCIAL BLAND DIETS Science Prescription Diet I/D, Eukanuba Veterinary Diet Low Residue, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Intestinal HE. FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS Estimate 25% of your animal’s diet and feed that amount of the bland diet every 6 – 8 hours. Smaller animals will require less and larger animals will require more adhering to the same carbohydrate to lean protein source ratio. The bland diet should be fed for 4 -5 days with no treats or other food sources until stools are firm. TRANSITION BACK TO A NORMAL DIET Never transition back to a regular diet rapidly. Transition back to the regular diet over a 1 week period. Start by adding 25% of the regular diet to 75% of the bland diet and feed that combination for 2 days. If stools continue to be firm then continue substituting the regular diet in 25% increments and feeding the combination in 2 day time intervals until the diet is 100% regular diet. Minimize treats for 1 week after moving the diet back to 100% regular

Narcotics such as oxycodon can really slow down the GI tract causing inappetance. Carprofen can cause irritation to the GI tract causing inappetance as well. I would recommend calling your veterinarian for their advice as well, but in this situation I would typically stop the ocycodon first and if not improving then I would stop the carprofen. Best of luck and I hope she improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

It depends what type of pain killers she is taking, as it is every 8 hours i assume it is an opioid which is fine to give even on an empty stomach. antibiotics can also be given on an empty stomach, although not ideal as this can cause nausea. try giving her some boiled chicken, treats or a canned food called a/d from Hills.

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.

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.

Poor Taffy! No, do not give Taffy that medication. NSAIDs can cause severe go irritation and even perforate the intestines. NSAIDs are given a 'wash out period' between dosing and it is generally 5 days between meds. Those signs are consistent with another illness and they are concerning for something more serious. Acting disoriented is not normal and is always worrisome. I recommend to try to find an emergency clinic near you and get her in today if possible. Otherwise, offer her a bland diet of boiled chicken and plain white rice. Massage her known arthritis areas and you can apply a warm heat (not too hot as they can get burned!!) to the areas. If you can't get her in today, get her in first thing tomorrow. That should help tp keep her more comfortable. I hope this is helpful and that Taffy starts feeling better quickly! Please feel free to post any additional questions.