The Havanese dog doesn't eat: what do you do?

The rescue! My Havanese chicken doesn't want

My Havanese refuses to eat: What steps should be followed?

Each week, in our Ask Dr. Paola , we offer specialist recommendations directly from Dr. Paola Cuevas (veterinarian), aimed at improving our dogs' understanding of their health. Whether you barely bring a pet home or are an experienced dog lover, Dr. Paola is ready to answer your most pressing questions. From nutritional advice and preventive measures to addressing frequent behavioral problems, the expert offers valuable insights designed to keep your furry friend happy and healthy. Follow professional guidance on issues essential to you and your dog so that you can make informed decisions and ensure the best possible care for your canine companion.

The rescue! My Havanese chicken doesn't want to eat!

Dear Dr. Paola, I bought my Havanese, named Paisley, when he was only eight weeks old. For three weeks, the little girl hasn't eaten anything. This leads to a drop in his blood sugar. I've taken her to the veterinary emergency department twice and countless times to the family veterinarian. They did various liver tests, but they didn't identify any abnormalities. I had to manually administer her doctor-prescribed sugar water, but I had to force her to open her mouth to swallow it. Have you ever heard of such a case?

Although the normal results of liver tests

A young chicken has limited energy reserves, which is why when it refuses food, its blood glucose level can drop rapidly. That's one of the reasons we typically give chickens food several times a day. However, a three-week period without food is much more alarming than a simple ' hypoglycemia in chicks'. Unfortunately, once a chicken stops eating, a vicious cycle can set in, as a drop in blood sugar can cause weakness, abnormal behavior, and even less interest in food. Sugar may raise glucose levels temporarily, but it does not treat the root cause of the problem. Since Paisley has been refusing food for several weeks, the case requires a thorough and detailed investigation.

Although the normal results of liver tests are encouraging, they do not completely exclude any medical condition that can cause chronic loss of appetite or recurrent episodes of hypoglycaemia in a chicken. Depending on what has already been assessed, the veterinarian may consider further investigation of conditions such as infections, gastrointestinal diseases, congenital port system deviations, adrenal disease or other metabolic disorders. A port system deviation (DPS) is an abnormal blood vessel that allows a portion of the blood from the digestive system to bypass the liver instead of passing through it normally. Because the liver plays a crucial role in processing nutrients and maintaining a normal metabolism, this abnormal blood circulation can cause problems in some chickens.

To examine these conditions, more specialized and imaging blood tests, such as Doppler-assessed abdominal ultrasound or, in some cases, angio-CT, may be needed. The Havanese breed is among the species at increased risk of developing a DPS, so if this has not yet been verified, I think it should be investigated thoroughly. Although maintaining your glucose level is extremely important, please pay attention to the way you administer it; forcing the sugar water into your dog's mouth risks aspiration, that is, inhalation of the liquid into the lungs. If Paisley is conscious and can swallow normally, it is recommended to apply a small amount of an adequate source of glucose, such as said water, directly to her gums or inside her cheek, where it can be absorbed through the mucous membranes. This method can help increase glucose levels without the risk of aspiration.

However, if it becomes extremely weak, can no longer swallow properly, collapses, becomes unconscious or has a seizure, nothing should be administered orally, because of the danger of inhaling the fluid into the lungs. These situations require immediate emergency veterinary intervention.

Given that Paisley has spent so much time not eating voluntarily and continues to experience low blood sugar, I would discuss the possibility of referral to a veterinary internal medicine specialist or hospitalization for nutritional and glucose support. Think of glucose as an energy generator that keeps the light on, but the priority remains to find out why the electrical system keeps failing. The sugar can keep the light on for a while, but in the end you have to find the faulty thread. Keeping your blood glucose up is essential, but