5-month old rottie crying when eating

[EmkayN]

I need your help again! In the last 2 months and while he is eating, my 5-month old puppy will just stop eating and start crying. He sounds like he is in so much pain. He ran over to me this morning when it happened and I checked him all over and did not see/feel anything that would cause him that much pain (and we all KNOW how pain-tolerant rotties are!). He then goes back to eating again and is fine. This has only happened 3 times and only while he is eating (just FYI...he eats Wellness for Adults). Do you think it is his teeth that are hurting him? I asked my vet and he said that could be the cause, but would call me back if he thought of anything else. So I thought I would come to the rottie experts to see if you all can think of anything else. Please let me know. Thanks!

[brunie's mom]

It could be his teeth.
It could also be his jaw, the alignment of the jaw,etc.
Have you had him to the vet for this? Any x-rays taken??

This is not normal, and something that should be investigated.

Gina

[BostonRott]

It only happens once per feeding? Or through out the time the dog eats each meal?

[EmkayN]

It has happnend at both the morning meal as well as the evening meal. But it only has happened three times (in the span of 2 months) right in the middle of his feeding . He howls /cries for about 10 seconds (but it seems like forever) and then goes back to eating. He is fine the rest of the day and night.

I looked at his jaw/teeth last night (for no reason...just to check it) and he did not show any pain. He has a slight overbite (which I hope will go away), but that is it. I definitely will take him to the vet, but just wanted to check with you all first.

Thanks for the advice!

Melissa

[Canadianrotti]

5 m/o, is that not the time when the adult teeth are comming in? It could be a simple as that.

Having your vet check for a cracked tooth, or other jaw/gum problem is still a good idea though.

[EmkayN]

Yes, that is the time, and that is what my vet said when I called him this morning. I thought he was done with getting all of his teeth in, but I guess I was wrong. I am still going to take him just to get checked. I am crazy about this puppy and don't want to see him go through this again.

[Diva'sOwner]

It's probably his teeth and gums. Haley is 6 mos now and I think her adult teeth are all in now. But for a few weeks I could tell she was going nuts about her mouth.

[Canadianrotti]

What we found to be a big help with teething, was a wet dish towel, tied in a knot and frozen. It will give you pup something to work those puppy teeth loose on that is not too hard, and the cold will sooth their gums. It can get a little messy, but it is only water.

If you need to entice the pup a little more, you can flavour the water with a little chicken or beef broth. But then you need to be more carefull about washing the cloths.

Good luck.

[groupieindenial]

Moisten his kibble with water 10 minutes before you feed him. Its his teeth. My pup wouldn't eat at all when the painfull back molars were coming in.

Try rubbing his gums with ambesol or a numbing agent like that. If his face lights up like "wow, that feels WAY better!", then you know its just the pain of his teeth coming in.

[EmkayN]

Thanks so much for the advice! I will moisten his food as well as provide him with a wet/frozen towel. I talked again with my vet since I was going to take him in. He said for me to do exactly what both of you just said. He said that if it become more frequent, then I need to bring him. He doesn't think it is his jaw since he is carrying things (like his ball or stuffed animal) in his mouth, and really think it is his teeth.

All of you are just the greatest. I am so glad I found this forum!