Oliver's appetite is down

[shanniesue2]

I have noticed over the past two weeks that Oliver hasn't been eating like normal. It started when we went to New Mexico on our camping trip. It was a 13 hour drive and he didn't eat anything after breakfast that day. Then the entire time we were there, he didn't eat very much... maybe a few bites of each meal offered. He also had diarrhea the day after we got home. I figured it was due to stress. But ever since, he hasn't been eating like he did before. Sometimes he'll eat the whole meal, sometimes just a few bites, sometimes nothing at all. On our camping trip yesterday morning he didn't eat anything. He did eat dinner when we got home yesterday, but he only ate a few bites of his breakfast this morning. He does not have diarrhea today and he has shown no other signs or symptoms of illness. He is on Chicken Soup for the Dog Soul (dry food) and it isn't on the recall list.

What do you all think? Could he just be stressed... I mean it was just before we left that Georgie got injured, so he didn't have anyone to play with during the days... then she stayed at the vets while he came with us to New Mexico... lots of driving and a new environment and new people... then about a week after we got back, I was able to let Georgie be outside during the days again... then we went camping again (only an hour away this time). So I guess there's been a lot of changes for him in the past few weeks... maybe I should just consider it stress and keep an eye on him.

[doglover1984]

It sounds to me like stress his buddy wasn't there with him,new place, long drive etc. if thing don't get better in a few days i would take him to the vet.

[whimzikal]

Did you recently change his food, I can't remember.

[shanniesue2]

No, he's been on the same food since I got him 6 months ago.

[whimzikal]

Then I think he is just stressing, I bet he bounces back quickly

[SalemsMom]

Have you taken his temp?If he doesn't improve in a day,I'd take him to the vet.

[shanniesue2]

well, he ate breakfast this morning, but didn't touch his evening meal.... I'm watching him real close for any other signs... and sometimes I think I see things, but I wonder if I'm just looking too hard... you know how when you look too hard, you're probably going to find something. At any rate, I just can't afford any more vet visits until at least Friday, so unless his situation becomes an emergency, I will have to wait until then. And hopefully by then he will have gotten better.

I know that it sounds really bad to say that I can't afford it... but these past 2 months have been really bad financially ($1000 in vet bills, $300 to fix my car, plus our mortgage company screwed up and paid our taxes twice and we've had some financial repercussions because of that, on top of all of our other normal expenses). My emergency vet fund is all but spent. So please keep your fingers crossed and your prayers said that Oliver works it out before Friday... I am stretched beyond max at the moment and it's going to take me a few months to get caught up again.

That all being said, if it becomes apparent that he needs vet care, he will get it... I will absolutely figure out a way if I have to... I just hope it doesn't come to that.

[shanniesue2]

Originally Posted by SalemsMom

Have you taken his temp?If he doesn't improve in a day,I'd take him to the vet.

I don't have a thermometer.... I know I should probably get one... but it will have to wait for another paycheck.

[EmmaGirl]

It sounds like stress. Give him some time and try a few very tasty yummies to get his interest. I would keep a close eye on him and if anything else is going on, it will declare itself.

Best Wishes,
EG