Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2011 13:54:39 GMT
Hi, we have a 13 year old dalmation, that eats quite alot, and is very greedy, but she doesnt put any weight on at all!!  we were wondering if it was her age?? Does any one have any ideas how i can help her? Thanks x |
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Post by dressagemad on Jan 2, 2011 16:42:12 GMT
It could be an age thing but not always. If really worried about her I would suggest just to get her checked by the vet even if just to put your mind at rest.
Other possible causes of weightloss can be a case of worms, so she made need worming but best to ask advice of vet obviously.
It may be that she isn't getting enough food compared to how much energy she is burning off. But being that she is an older dog this probably isn't the case unless she is getting walked for too long?
Or it could be a stress thing, most dogs like company so if she is being left longer than usual or more often than usual this may be stressing her out or any changes to her routine. Is there anything else that could be causing her to stress that you could sort.
If you have any other animals like cats, other dogs do you watch your dalmatian eat to make sure it is her that is eating everything and not any of the others. Feed her on her own if you have other pets.
Is she holding all of her food down? May sound horrid but are her poos quite solid, if not solid or are abnormal for her then it will need checking out as either her food may be too rich for her so is passing through too quickly or she may have an issue that needs treatment from a vet.
To be honest if it was me I would just take her the vet as even if she appears happy in herself the vet will be able to better diagnose and advise on what to do for her. There are lots of possible causes and it may not be a big problem and it may be easily sorted or the vet may need to take bloods.
Good luck with her and I hope she picks up soon.
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Post by vetnurse on Jan 2, 2011 17:33:44 GMT
does your dog actually need to put on weight?! if not then surely you are feeding her the perfect amount to maintain her body weight for her lifestyle!!!
however, if she is underweight then i agree with dressagemad, i would get her checked by a vet given her age. x
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2011 13:58:57 GMT
It could be an age thing but not always. If really worried about her I would suggest just to get her checked by the vet even if just to put your mind at rest. Other possible causes of weightloss can be a case of worms, so she made need worming but best to ask advice of vet obviously. It may be that she isn't getting enough food compared to how much energy she is burning off. But being that she is an older dog this probably isn't the case unless she is getting walked for too long? Or it could be a stress thing, most dogs like company so if she is being left longer than usual or more often than usual this may be stressing her out or any changes to her routine. Is there anything else that could be causing her to stress that you could sort. If you have any other animals like cats, other dogs do you watch your dalmatian eat to make sure it is her that is eating everything and not any of the others. Feed her on her own if you have other pets. Is she holding all of her food down? May sound horrid but are her poos quite solid, if not solid or are abnormal for her then it will need checking out as either her food may be too rich for her so is passing through too quickly or she may have an issue that needs treatment from a vet. To be honest if it was me I would just take her the vet as even if she appears happy in herself the vet will be able to better diagnose and advise on what to do for her. There are lots of possible causes and it may not be a big problem and it may be easily sorted or the vet may need to take bloods. Good luck with her and I hope she picks up soon. Thankyou so much for replying with so many suggestions!! We think it might just be because she is getting old, and she is quite old for her breed! But we will get her checked by the vet! And pos worming her. She does go for long walks with our other dogs, but she does get lots of food also???  She is also the boss of our other 2 dogs, and is very greedy, and wouldnt dare let the other dogs steal her food!! hehe Again Thanks for your advice!! x |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2011 14:00:26 GMT
does your dog actually need to put on weight?! if not then surely you are feeding her the perfect amount to maintain her body weight for her lifestyle!!! however, if she is underweight then i agree with dressagemad, i would get her checked by a vet given her age. x Yes she does need to put more weight on! She is quite under weight, not looooads, but she does need to gain a bit more. And okay thanks we will take her to the vet for a check up!! (Bless her she hates the place hehe) x |
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dazycutter
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The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his Tongue.
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Post by dazycutter on Jan 5, 2011 18:56:13 GMT
at 13, I wouldnt worry too much... I would have her blood tested first to see if there is anyhting like diabetes going on.. when you say she needs to put on weight.. how thin is she.. can you see every rib!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2011 14:07:52 GMT
at 13, I wouldnt worry too much... I would have her blood tested first to see if there is anyhting like diabetes going on.. when you say she needs to put on weight.. how thin is she.. can you see every rib! Okay thanks, and yes you can see some ribs maybe 2 but not all of them! she is starting to gain wait now, we have had her wormed, and we have fed her more  |
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dazycutter
Happy to help
The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his Tongue.
Posts: 7,933
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Post by dazycutter on Jan 10, 2011 15:58:55 GMT
thats brilliant.. on a dog as long as its not over hairy, it is correct to see the last 2 ribs... fat dogs dont do well. she sounds jsut about right. Also when they are older, they dont need to carry too much weight as it is not good for their old joints..
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2011 15:13:30 GMT
Aww thankyou  im glad its normal, for old dogs's ribs to show!! I was starting to worry hehe xx |
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we were wondering if it was her age?? Does any one have any ideas how i can help her? 
She is also the boss of our other 2 dogs, and is very greedy, and wouldnt dare let the other dogs steal her food!! hehe
im glad its normal, for old dogs's ribs to show!! I was starting to worry hehe xx