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Polarbear
Coon Rapids, MN
MH
Posts:131
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| 11/04/2009 12:15 PM |
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Nova is SKINNY! I mean really skinny. She has at least 7 ribs visible (without inhalation), her hip bones stick up at least 1/2-2/3 of an inch and 3-4 vertebrae are also visible. I wish I had a picture to post right now, but I am doing this at work.
Nova is 17 months old. She is fed Innova EVO (42/22), 3 ½ cups per day, fed two times a day. If I feed her much more than that – it just comes out fast the other end. I would consider her to be high energy, constantly playing and moving. She goes to the dog park daily for at least 1 hour of very intense fetch in addition to fetch and play at home. She is from strong field lines. She is our companion, we do not hunt with her (other than squirrels and bunnies).
The vet did do a blood sugar level, confirmed by a lab, and it was normal. She does not have any internal parasites (stool tests) or bacterial infection.
I have been reading all the “feeding” posts I could fine here and I have also read MegC’s post about weight. I have heard about “Satin Balls” and whipped up a small batch yesterday, hoping that that will help. However, I don’t know if that is even the right thing to do, how much of it to feed and how long to feed it for.
Nova has always been a hard one to keep weight on, but I am starting to be really concerned about it. She is as skinny as she has ever been.  |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:3909
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| 11/04/2009 1:35 PM |
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By your description she is too thin. It is very,very difficult to find whip worm.
Is her appitite normal,does she seem hungry all the time or not interested in food?
How is her stool?
Have you tested for giardia?
There are several reasons dogs can be very thin -
it could just be the food does not work for her.A high fat diet can (will)cause weight lose.
Francine |
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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singltrak
Las Cruces, NM
MH
Posts:1051
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| 11/04/2009 1:58 PM |
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The Satin Balls are great, don't cause diarrhea in spite of the oil, etc. I'd make up about 3-4 at a time..about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch bigger around than a large walnut. You can either feed them directly to her or place them on her food. I do this twice a day for about a week and then look for results. It won't happen immediately overnight but you should see improvement.
I agree with Francine though, she does sound very thin and with winter coming on she needs that extra fat for good conditioning. How is her coat condition and endurance....I know you said she runs daily. You may want to rethink that to three times a week though it is hard with a high energy dog such as she seems to be.
Phyllis and the Singltrak furtribe
www.singltrakshorthairs.net/ |
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Look to the Past, Breed for the Future |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6744
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Polarbear
Coon Rapids, MN
MH
Posts:131
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| 11/04/2009 2:01 PM |
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Her appetite is normal, the same as it's always been. She has never been one to say no to food. Her stool is formed, it's not soft but not hard either. She has an occasional softer stool if she gets too many human hand outs.
About 6 months ago I switched her to Evo, from Solid Gold Millennia hoping that the higher values would help with the weight issue. |
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Oscar
Farmington NY
Posts:17
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| 11/04/2009 2:02 PM |
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| Oscar lost a lot of weight a couple years ago but he did not really have much of an appetite at the same time. He went from 65 pounds to 45 pounds before the vet figured out that he had addisons disease. He now gets a shot once a month and a prednisone pill every other day and he is back to his healthy weight of 65-70 pounds. He drinks a ton and goes to the bathroom at a really annoying rate, but I guess that is a small price to pay! |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:3909
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| 11/04/2009 2:26 PM |
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I find it hard to believe your vet didn't get alarmed at her weight.
He/she didn't recomend a course of action? |
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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gsp-fan
AZ
MH
Posts:345
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| 11/04/2009 3:38 PM |
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| I have an EP that had the same issues with weight (nothing medically wrong). We added scrambled eggs to her food to put weight on. You want to start slow (so she does not get the runs). I added 1 egg a day split between 2 meals. I think I was up to 3 eggs a day by the time I reached an ideal weight. To this day if I scramble eggs she is sitting and waiting for hers LOL |
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MegC
Ellensburg, WA
MH
Posts:988
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| 11/04/2009 4:05 PM |
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We mushers typically use a food w/ high quantity/quality fat & protein. Fat is good! Beyond the additional calories per volume, dogs appear to be much more efficient at processing fat into energy than us humans. Of course you have to meter it in slowly to begin with or else risk pancreatitus, which can kill a dog.
Two thoughts:
1. There are a few mushers on SledDogCentral have been reporting less than stellar results w/ EVO. Not wanting to start a dog food brand holy war here (and it's already too late, next post is that EVO's the next best thing to ice cream and Santa Claus and I clearly dig at my brain with screwdrivers in my spare time, lol), but if it were ME I'd probably be considering a switch.
If I were in the midwest I'd for sure be trying Redpaw... the label may not be as sexy to read, but they've earned one heck of a real-world reputation. I'm sad I can't get it easily here in the NW.
2. If the dog were otherwise cleared health-wise I'd probably do a round of wormer just to be on the safe side. ASK YOUR VET BEFORE TRYING THIS THOUGH! They should have recommendations based on the most likely suspects in your local area. You could always spring for them doing a stool sample analysis of course. |
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Megan
+ Dulcie (Lehmschlog's The Right Spot) + Rogan (Lehmschlog's BR Rogan) + Anya (Lehmschlog's Anya O Conchobar)
Intro to harness sport/mushing- start here! |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6744
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| 11/04/2009 4:11 PM |
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A couple of questions:
1) How tall is Nova at the withers (highest point of her shoulders)?
2) How much does she weigh?
I know you can see ribs, hips, etc., but curious about her weight in proportion with her size. As I said before, my girl, Halo, was skinny as a rail until she hit two and had her first heat cycle, then she started filling out and adding muscle. I had to really work to add weight and keep it on her. I added things like yogurt, eggs, cottage cheese, cooked hamburger, increased her food a bit, etc. It was a constant battle. Once she hit two though, I then had to start watching I didn't over feed her. In her case, she was just a late bloomer. You girl may have a similar problem. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
     
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:3909
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| 11/04/2009 4:28 PM |
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| Fat is good. It also helps with weight loss. If a dog is overweight the ideal way to loose it is thru adding a higher fat % and assuring it is thru the Omegas. |
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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Polarbear
Coon Rapids, MN
MH
Posts:131
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| 11/04/2009 5:04 PM |
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Maybe I'm over reacting. The vet wasn't super concerned, just thinks she's a thin girl in her "teens", however she did just have a round of de-wormer as a preventative and stool tests.
It's very hard to get a height on her as she is scared to death of tape measures, but I tried and I believe she is somewhere between 22 - 24 inches at the withers. She is regularly between 40 - 42 lbs. She is very muscular and has long legs.
Her weight is similar to the GSP in this pic, but she is a little bit heavier than this girl:
http://www.greatdogsite.com/photos/gallery/German_Shorthaired_Pointer/?index=4
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everbell
Kanata, ON
MH
Posts:2733
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| 11/04/2009 5:16 PM |
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Is she neutered? If so, at what age?
Bo really thickened up after about 18 months ... |
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Joce and Rich
Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs)
Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats)
The Everbell Adventures |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6744
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| 11/04/2009 10:14 PM |
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| So, she should be about 48 to 50 pounds if she is 24 inches or even a little shorter. Also, looking at the link to the pict in your last post, if she is thin like that dog I would say she needs to add 5 to 10 pounds. I would gradually add some fat and protein into her food or use the satin balls and see if in a week or two like Phyllis said you start seeing a difference. Or add yogurt, scrambled eggs, cooked hamburger, etc to her regular food, or change her to a different food. Those are all options. Work until you find one that is working and adding weight, then stick with it. I suspect once she hits 2 YO she will hold her weight a little better. You might also want to feed her three times a day for now to see if that helps her as well. I wouldn't be overly concerned, especially if she has been checked out and there is no medical issue, you just need to work to get the weight up a little. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:3909
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| 11/05/2009 5:32 AM |
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The food being fed is already very high protein and fat. The high protein will cause dogs to be hyper and for some dogs not 'in the right state of mind' - gittery.
If you are going to increase fat intake I'm not sure the best way to go about it. Would be changing dog foods to lower levels and adding fat in thru human food be best?
A GSP should not look like a whippet.
Good luck with her weight gain. |
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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Polarbear
Coon Rapids, MN
MH
Posts:131
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| 11/05/2009 9:28 AM |
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Nova was spayed at 10 ½ months. Hopefully she will start keeping weight as she gets older, like you said Bev.
However, I am so confused about her food. The recommendations I have read here say that GSP’s need a 30/20 mix. However, I have been unable to find a premium food, with premium ingredients that has that mix. The fat is always somewhere in the teens. This is why I chose Evo for the fat content. I’m going to have to keep her on this for awhile as I just purchased a huge bag of it… but I think I’ll mix w/ regular Innova (Isn’t that what you do Bev? I swear I read that once…)
I am so thankful for everyone’s advice! |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6744
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| 11/05/2009 10:25 AM |
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| I used the EVO for a while and it was ok, but was not crazy about Belle's coat. Then I found out Belle was allergic to beef and the EVO I was feeding had Beef. So, I switched to the Innova Large Breed which is chicken based. It worked great with all my dogs. However, for the last 6 months I have been using a kibble that is not yet on the market. The owner asked me to test it as it is targeted for performance dogs. Since it was very similar to the Innova I was feeding, but cheaper (first few months were free too), I said I would. My dogs did so well on it I have continued to use it. It should be on the market in some areas soon. I do mix the kibble with Wellness canned Venison or Lamb for the evening meal. I also add in California Natural Skin and Coat Supplement. Periodically I mix in sardines, blueberries, pumpkin, spinach, yogurt, etc. I also vary the amount I feed depending on the dogs weight. I see seasonal fluctuations, fluctuations with Halo when she comes in season, and also I feed more when Ringo is doing field work. I just adjust the amount accordingly. Usually by about a 1/4 cup. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:3909
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| 11/05/2009 12:41 PM |
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| Dogs who are hunted hard during the season,I mean 4+ hours a day 3-6 days a week, use the levels of protein and fat as high as EVO.It just isn't needed in a dog that doesn't expend so much energy. I blame this on the companies, food should not be bought on a breed basis but an individual basis. |
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6744
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| 11/05/2009 1:29 PM |
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| And to add to pixie's comment is each dog is different too. So, you really have to look at each dogs activity, and just make good educated cases, observe and correct. Once you get something working it gets easier, but for a while it can be a hit and miss research project. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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