My bun went into the hospital back on Sat night as he was becoming lethargic. Over the week beforehand his appetite had decreased to where he stopped eating pellets and I could only tempt him with grass, bits of apple, etc.
So while he was in, they rehydrated him and syringe fed him which seemed to help perk him up again. They also were giving him pain meds, and something to get his guts moving again. They had also found a mass in his tummy which we have since learned is an enlarged lymph node. They couldn't see this as interfering in any way with his digestion, so still couldn't explain why he would still not eat. Teeth were checked. They were found to be a little long, and they did rasp them down just in case they were bothering him. This was done yesterday pm.
He recovered well from that, and basically since they couldn't explain him not eating, we have brought him home just this afternoon. While he was in the only thing they could tempt him with was a piece of banana, and a tiny bit of dandelion leaves. But nothing significant.
We have baytril, metacam, and zantac, plus a Critical Care to feed him. We are going to try to see if we can tempt him to start eating again here at home.
So.... while he hasn't been home for much more than an hour now, I am not convinced that he is really 'with it'. Could that be the drugs, in particular, the Metacam doing that? He seems alert in his eyes, but like he's there, but not there. I suppose it's very similar to how a human might be if they are on painkillers. Is this normal? could he just need more time to get used to us again?
Also, what sort of tried and true things have you tried that might help to get him to start eating?
I guess I was expecting him to be more lively and curious. It is afternoon though, so maybe he just wants his siesta?
Any hints and suggestions are most welcome, esp with experience on buns returning from hospital and any drug side effects, etc.
Thanks!
So while he was in, they rehydrated him and syringe fed him which seemed to help perk him up again. They also were giving him pain meds, and something to get his guts moving again. They had also found a mass in his tummy which we have since learned is an enlarged lymph node. They couldn't see this as interfering in any way with his digestion, so still couldn't explain why he would still not eat. Teeth were checked. They were found to be a little long, and they did rasp them down just in case they were bothering him. This was done yesterday pm.
He recovered well from that, and basically since they couldn't explain him not eating, we have brought him home just this afternoon. While he was in the only thing they could tempt him with was a piece of banana, and a tiny bit of dandelion leaves. But nothing significant.
We have baytril, metacam, and zantac, plus a Critical Care to feed him. We are going to try to see if we can tempt him to start eating again here at home.
So.... while he hasn't been home for much more than an hour now, I am not convinced that he is really 'with it'. Could that be the drugs, in particular, the Metacam doing that? He seems alert in his eyes, but like he's there, but not there. I suppose it's very similar to how a human might be if they are on painkillers. Is this normal? could he just need more time to get used to us again?
Also, what sort of tried and true things have you tried that might help to get him to start eating?
I guess I was expecting him to be more lively and curious. It is afternoon though, so maybe he just wants his siesta?
Any hints and suggestions are most welcome, esp with experience on buns returning from hospital and any drug side effects, etc.
Thanks!
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