Why does my dog with cancer/IBD stop eating after steroid shots?

Question

My dog has cancer or IBD. She has bloody stools, the vet knows about this. My question is, my dog was eating her buffalo really quickly for about 2 weeks. Then it went to a few days ago eating slower, now I have to stick it in her mouth to eat. What can cause this? She has been this way for 3 months. She starts eating after a steroid shot, then quits after a week or 2. It is as if she gets bored very fast. She still tries for human foods. She is looking for food just not what I give her.

Megan, DVM, CVA · Accepted Answer

Aw I am so sorry to hear this about her. Her illness is likely what is causing the decrease in appetite. The steroid usually helps to decrease the inflammation and increase the appetite. A few things I would talk to your vet about is whether a daily probiotic and a long term appetite stimulant would help her. I would also talk to your vet about starting her on weekly Vitamin B12 injections. Most dogs with GI cancer or IBD have low Vitamin B12. Your vet should be able to give her one injection a week for 4-6 weeks then decrease the injections to once a month if she is doing well. Vitamin B12 is also a natural appetite stimulant. I would also talk to them about whether an oral steroid daily would be better than the occasional steroid injection. I obviously do not know what type of steroid injection they are giving. Some steroid injections stay in the system for 6-8 weeks where others only stay in the system for 48 hours. I would also consider putting her on a hypoallergenic diet if she would be willing to eat it. If she prefers human food, you may consider making her own diet at home. If you do, I would visit balanceit.com for recipes and also talk to you vet about which type of foods would be safe for her. I hope this helps!

Why does my dog with cancer/IBD stop eating after steroid shots?

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