For those with seniors.....

[Lori]

Debra, is MissM on any pain meds? Reason I ask is because when Chance was on Metacam after a while he started being picky with his food and wouldn't eat sometimes. When I brought it up to the vet, we checked his liver enzymes and they were elevated. He said that elevated liver enzymes can make them nauseous.

 

[nowhavethreebears]

I think that as they age they just lose their sense of smell/taste just a little just like senior humans, and bland food just doesn't turn em on like it used to.

 

[Abbey]

Zeke won't eat every meal, And look how big he is. Somedays, he just turns his nose up at breakfast. Other days, he won't eat dinner. Miss M has earned the right to do ~Whatever she wants~.

 

[Abbey]

If Gracie 11 1/2 skipped a meal I would know she was sick. She lives to eat and never refuses anything.

That's just like Abbey! And she has the caboose to prove it! :!rolling:
( I hope Murphy likes a little junk in his girls trunk )

 

[Pipelineozzy]

I've had seniors both ways. They don't do as much, sleep a lot, and are not as hungry. Unless I see other signs of problems, I don't worry.
The main things I really watch for with them is total lack of appetite for more than a day...either drinking more than normal OR not drinking at all, and bathroom habits. Vomiting, retching or coughing are also a trip to the vet if it happens repeatedly over 24 hours.

 

[suse]

Very interesting thread. I'm glad you asked, Debra. Just goes to show, our newfs are like people! Bentley is sometimes picky about breakfast, but always happy to eat at supper time. I guess I don't have to worry, either.

And I love hearing about the Divine Miss M.

 

[4ondafloor]

Debra, is MissM on any pain meds? Reason I ask is because when Chance was on Metacam after a while he started being picky with his food and wouldn't eat sometimes. When I brought it up to the vet, we checked his liver enzymes and they were elevated. He said that elevated liver enzymes can make them nauseous.

No pain meds yet. She gets along well and her only nemesis is the wood floors. She is slow to rise but I find that as Winter abates, she is doing better.
She refuses to sleep on a bed, blanket or rug. I'm sure that makes her a little stiff too. I've tried everything to get her to sleep on something soft.

As an aside, I decided to switch to Canidae ALS and go totally grain free. Of course we mixed with the regular food to transition and she really snarfed her dinner tonight. Maybe the old gal is just bored with her food.

 

[Lori]

Glad she doesn't need any meds! She's a tough cookie!

We've also gone grain-free. From what I've been reading, it's supposed to help dogs with arthritis to not eat grains.

 

[Bluedog]

A senior forum is a great idea! Definitely senior specific problems that would warrant an easy access forum.

 

[2newfs4now]

My guys wouldn't think of missing a meal! If they skip a meal, I know something is wrong and we are making a vet appointment. Growing up, I remember a couple dogs that would occasionally skip a meal.

 

[Liisa]

Pari skips occassionally too. Although, Tibetans on the whole are not nearly as food motivated as some other breeds.

She would skip as a young girl / adolescent. Then she ate consistently for several years after her spay at 3 yrs old. Now, we have to beg her to eat. She's a bit younger than Miss M (Pari is just over 8). But she definitely doesn't eat every meal. (neither does Khabo, but that's only because sometimes barking at the invisible invaders takes precedence over meal times. He's whacky)

 

[NinaA]

If any of my girls refuse to eat it is a serious sign. I watch Echo like a hawk, and she loves her food. I know when she doesn't that will mean the time may be near. She is spiraling downward a little faster now, but she's still happy to eat. Only time she has refused food was whey the vet was trying pain meds (over a period of time) for her in anticipation of when she would need them. Result was that they all made her sick. Only thing she can handle is Ascriptin, and she takes it only on occasion. . .as of today.

 

[Erika]

Im with ya Deb, Piggyluv likes breakfast, toast and peanut butter, yogurt on toast , sometimes oatmeal with a bit of kibble....who knows what may tickle his fancy but breakfast always does. At lunch he likes kibble and skim milk, just 1/2 cup and a plain ice cream cone........dinner he eats kibble, some meat , a spoon of yogurt.....dribbled with milk. A few days he skipped lunch and we all thought OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! but he made up for it later. Hubby said dear God you dont always eat the same amount everyday.why should he........lol...true. But I told hubby you eat the same everyday!!!! snacks, cake, ice cream. I wouldnt worry too much Deb. She seems to have herself doing just fine.
Theres days when Tara feeds piggy dinner he wants her to sit beside him and then other days lays and waits till she leaves the room..........SENIORS ROCK, THEY ARE HILARIOUS!!!!!!!!