would like a quick way to fatten him up

shadowspar · 07-18-2008, 08:47 PM

my outside dog is pretty old now, hes 11yrs old. german shepherd/rott mix, used to weigh 95lbs but now i give him a 80. hes really skinny, can feel his ribs and hip bones. he doesnt like to eat. he wont eat anything but "moist and meaty" and any pedigree canned chicken. wont eat anything else. and also it seems like hes just lazy to eat. basically he eats 3-4 bags of moist and meaty and half a can of pedigree a day, sometimes no can, he refuses. ive tried everything, i cant get him any fatter. i was wondering if anybody has any suggestions.

Patt · 07-18-2008, 09:13 PM

I highly recommend a vet visit ASAP to see why he's not doing well. He obviously has a medical problem.

rosemaryninja · 07-18-2008, 09:16 PM

When was the last time he saw the vet? I would take him there and get a general check-up done. With a dog this old you don't want to skive on vet visits.

JeanninePC99 · 07-18-2008, 09:16 PM

Pat's right. He's a senior dog and you might have to make some big adjustments in light of that.

BoxMeIn21 · 07-18-2008, 09:30 PM

Your dog needs a VET.

5 s corral · 07-18-2008, 11:15 PM

i agree with everyone please take him to a vet

jamie

Twinney · 07-19-2008, 12:12 AM

I agree. There are some questions that just can't be answered on an internet forum. Sorry. I hope your dog is feeling better soon though.

lovemygreys · 07-19-2008, 07:51 AM

Agree with the others...vet visit asap.

shadowspar · 07-19-2008, 06:23 PM

i dont usually take him for check ups, just his shots. the vet has seen him while he was like this but didnt say anything about it.

BoxMeIn21 · 07-19-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowspar

i dont usually take him for check ups, just his shots. the vet has seen him while he was like this but didnt say anything about it.

At least call your vet and voice your concerns - without them knowing what's going on, they are not going to know what to check for.

Lorina · 07-19-2008, 07:49 PM

What Box said. At minimum, the old timer should have a senior bloodwork panel done along with a complete physical exam & stool sample checked.

There's loads of things that can cause weight loss in dogs, from parasites to organ failure to cancer. Diagnosing the problem is the first step, not just more or different food.

Good luck and let us know how things turn out.

Patt · 07-19-2008, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorina

What Box said. At minimum, the old timer should have a senior bloodwork panel done along with a complete physical exam & stool sample checked.

There's loads of things that can cause weight loss in dogs, from parasites to organ failure to cancer. Diagnosing the problem is the first step, not just more or different food.

Good luck and let us know how things turn out.

I second or third this suggestion. Dogs (or any pet) cannot tell us exactly how they feel so we need to find out exactly what is going on in their little bodies and that's where the blood tests, x-rays etc., come in. Please reconsider and take him in for a full exam. Just like older people they tend to fall apart as they get older, they need to see their doctor for blood tests etc., and who knows sometimes medications can help them feel better.

Please call your vet to set up an appointment. I'm sure your dog will be happy you did.

alphadoginthehouse · 07-19-2008, 08:45 PM

It could be his teeth...have you looked at them? And you say your vet didn't say anything about his weight loss..I find this alarming for a vet. Sounds like to me you need a new vet. But he needs to see a vet on Monday!

LuvmyRotti · 07-20-2008, 01:07 PM

Older dog - losing weight, I agree with Lorina, he needs bloodwork etc. done. You said he was 95lbs and your guessing he may be 80. If the vet saw your dog like this, did he not weigh him? If you can feel his hip bones that is not normal.

shadowspar · 07-20-2008, 04:51 PM

the vet did weigh him but didnt really say anything about his weight. just went ahead and gave him his rabies shot. i guess i could take him in somtime this week. but aside from the vet visit, theres got to be a way to get him more weight. because when i do take him and all that gets done, hes still going to need to gain some weight.

alphadoginthehouse · 07-20-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowspar

the vet did weigh him but didnt really say anything about his weight. just went ahead and gave him his rabies shot. i guess i could take him in somtime this week. but aside from the vet visit, theres got to be a way to get him more weight. because when i do take him and all that gets done, hes still going to need to gain some weight.

You first need to find out WHY he lost 10% of his body weight. That should be your main objective for the short term. And you "guess" his weight is 80 (in your original post), yet later you say the vet weighed him when he got his rabies. You are being a bit inconsistent. And why does he only get a rabies? Being an outside dog, there are other shots he should have as well.

Please call your vet on Mon and get him in as quickly as possible. Gaining weight is not the problem, the loosing of the weight is. I am concerned that you aren't concerned about the why.

Lorina · 07-20-2008, 05:19 PM

What Alphadog said. Depending on what's wrong, he might not be able to put on weight without medical intervention. If he's diabetic or has a thyroid condition, for instance, his body cannot process food the way it should. Sometimes, too, with old age comes changes to the organs that make it difficult to maintain weight. But the weight loss is only a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself.

RawFedDogs · 07-20-2008, 10:07 PM

Are Y'all really buying all this?