skinny boy update

kamfam · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 11:24 am Post subject: skinny boy update

Okay, more questions on my skinny boy...He's getting 2c 4x/day with enzymes and yogurt in the am and olive oil with the other 3 feedings. Poops are so so, I guess still a bit soft, but not at all runny and probably 3x/day. He acts so much like he's starving that I sometimes find his bowl in another room from him licking it clean! We're probably more than half way through his bag of Nature's Recipe. At what point might it be good to try switching his food again? Should I give this more time? Should I temporarily increase his food again? It just seems like for how much he's eating (it's alot) he should be more satisfied.

I have not done the satin balls yet because I'm afraid of him getting the runs again but I will make it if it will help. If the NR food isn't right for him, I have no problem at least trying another, but I'm not so sure about going raw...hats off to all of you that are able to do it! I could do raw veggies, though, but with his gas, ugh, I don't know it that would make him worse!!!

Thanks for any advice.
Amy

weimdawgs · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 1:42 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't change his food just yet. Is he gaining weight?? Weims will always act like they are starving. Laughing

Indian · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 2:15 pm Post subject:

What wiemdawg said. Also....Are you absolutely SURE he has no intestinal parasites?

But yeah they all act like they have not seen food in about a year! Rolling Eyes

kamfam · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 5:38 pm Post subject:

It's hard to tell whether or not he's gaining weight, he's got so many protruding bones. And as for parasites, I guess it's possible. I can take a sample to the vet but from everything I've read here, it seems as though worms are not always present. Any thoughts?

Indian · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 5:49 pm Post subject:

OMG! You haven't had him screened for intestinal parasites!!!??? That very well could be his problem, AND as skinny as he is I would waste NO TIME getting it done! Like yesterday. Shocked

weimdawgs · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 5:51 pm Post subject:

If he is eating like you say and not gaining weight, I would have him checked for parasites just to be on the safe side. Is he on a monthly heartworm preventative?? Some of those take care of that.

If he is eating like you say and not gaining weight, something's up. Did you also say his stools are loose and frequent? For some reason his body is not absorbing the calories it should. I would ask the vet also about his blood sugar levels...it's not common in young dogs, but they can have diabetes and the symptoms are similar. Just one more thing to rule out as a cause.

Please keep us posted on how he is doing. He is sooooo cute.

kamfam · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:01 pm Post subject:

Whoa...I'm not completely neglectful! According to his paperwork from the pound, he was wormed in June and yes, he is on preventative med. The vet saw no reason to recheck his stool at his visit. When the vet tells me something, I try to trust their judgement for the most part and when I have doubts, I ask all of you!!!

Indian · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:06 pm Post subject:

Of course your not neglectful Kam.....I'm sorry if that's how I came off. That wasn't how I meant to be. But hey ya never know. And the pound probably wormed him with the cheapest wormer they could get. It's not there fault, They have a budget.

kamfam · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:10 pm Post subject:

So rechecking the stool? How else can parasites be detected? Gosh, when I read those Luna posts, the poor thing was throwing worms up and she still wasn't being treated for them! Can he be wormed while being on Interceptor? This is new to me; Glacier never had worms.

Indian · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:16 pm Post subject:

Well anywhere that a lot of dogs come into contact with one another....Your bound to have a worm problem. It's usually not a big deal, It's pretty common TBH. However when they get heart worm or tape worms....It can become life threatening, Heart worms will kill a dog fast if untreated or left to long. Tape worms will starve a dog by taking all of the nutrients from it's intestines. That's why one with a large tape worm will become very skinny and eventually die of starvation if left untreated.

That's the short forum, But you get the idea. I would get him rechecked and also ask your vet about what Wiemdawgs has said as well.

kamfam · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks. I'll get him to the vet again. Another weigh in would be good - I see him all the time so it's hard to tell if he's gained. I'll mention, too, about his blood sugar.

His stools aren't loose, but they're not rock hard either (to be gross, kinda like soft-serve, maybe a bit more formed). He goes about 3 times a day, I think. It's not like when he was on the antibiotic, it was very runny then. But even so, he wasn't going constantly.

How would a tapeworm be found?

Indian · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:54 pm Post subject:

Tape worms are comprised of many segments filled with eggs. These segments break off and are passed in the poop. They lay dormant until something comes along and eats them inadvertently. That's how they get spread.

But usually if there is a major problem with intestinal parasites you get MAJOR diarrhea. So I don't know. If he isn't gaining weight, something is going on.

anne · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 7:35 pm Post subject: Re: skinny boy update

weimdawgs · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 7:46 pm Post subject:

Anne,

Where do you get Seacure. My Gunnar farts a lot. And they are on a mostly raw diet.

anne · Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 7:51 pm Post subject:

There are lots of places online that sell it. If you just search for Seacure, it'll come up.

It's mostly good for dogs that really don't digest well and for IBD, colitis, etc. If his poops are OK, I'd look at the kibble for the farts first...