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Author
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Topic: New Dog very skinny
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GretaJack
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Member # 419
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posted April 28, 2004 04:48 AM
My husband was very spontaenous yesterday and brought home a black lab that was abondoned at a vet clinic. Apparently, the owner came in and told the vet to put him down since he didn't want him anymore. The vet took the dog and kept him at the clinic for awhile and then a farmer had him for about a week. Anyway, my husband was looking a buying a tractor from this farmer and came home with a dog. My hubby called the vet that cared for this dog and he is going to be sending us the vet history on this dog (he has been caring for his since his original owner first had him). The vet said that he came back negative for worms so now I need to find the safest way to get weight on him. I currently feed my 10 month old and 4 year old puppy food (Greta is a hard keeper, low appetite). Is puppy food sufficient or should I try some supplements. The dog is a year and half old and probably weighs only 50 lbs. My hubby thinks he should be able to free feed, I think that is not a good idea, the weight gain needs to be slow and steady. Any ideas? I have a vet appt in a week with my own vet for him but I want to get him started on a healthy track right away. All advice is appreciated!
Posts: 195 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Dec 2003
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DaxAriel's toy
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Member # 740
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posted April 28, 2004 06:37 AM
I would feed several times a day. Puppy food is higher in fat so should help get him fatter. Watch out for stomach alignments as he might not be able to eat as much.
Bone marrow is also high in fat. Don't be afraid to add to his diet.
Posts: 748 | From: Edmonton AB Canada | Registered: Mar 2004
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lou3
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Member # 343
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posted April 28, 2004 03:10 PM
I would be more inclined to feed a food for working dogs than a puppy food, the whole nutrient balance for puppy food is different to adult food - not just the fat content. It wont hurt to drizzle ordinary dripping from the sunday roast on his food, that will help him fatten up.
Labs gain weight extremely easily and are notorious for their appetites. I would think that just giving him larger portions of regular food for a while would be more than sufficient. Believe me you will soon be back on here asking us how to get him to LOSE weight if he's a typical lab! Rapid weight gain is also bad for him so make sure you keep it steady (a couple of pounds a week).
Lou
Posts: 461 | From: uk | Registered: Nov 2003
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GretaJack
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Member # 419
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posted May 07, 2004 05:10 PM
Duke is doing okay. His vet appointment didn't go as well as I had hoped. He has very little muscle development and has two bad patellas and a bad stifle. Did x-rays today and there is no sign of degeneration of any joints but under sedation he still didn't have free movement in the knee and stifle of his right leg. They are recommending that we take him to an orthopedic specialist. But for right now I think that we are going to start with my horse vet who does canine chiropractic care and see if that helps are all.
Other than that, Greta's hip joint appears to be more deterioated and the vet is recommending anti-inflammatories. Personally, I think she is finally at her best again. I think she loves being a three dog house. I don't have to beg her to eat and she is constantly on the go.
Thanks for the help!
Posts: 195 | From: Wisconsin | Registered: Dec 2003
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