Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 11/16/2011

Question
hi, i bought a 5 and a half week old puppy today, we were told he was nearly 7 weeks but then we rang and asked for his date of birth which is 7th october 2011. he is a cavalier king charles cross with a shih tzu. my problem is he hasnt eaten or drank water since we got him. he has had few pieces of the food but very few. i have tried to mash the food by adding boiled water + let it cool but he is still not interested. is there anything i could do? i was told goats milk should be ok but wanted to get professional help. thanks :)

Answer
If the puppy was eating solid food, then call and find out what the pup was eating and try that.  It may be that he is weak from not eating, so try and put something like honey in his mouth and make him swallow it.  IF he doesn't eat, he may need a tube feeding to get him going.  A vet can do that for you.