Putting on weight...

Subject: Putting on weight... Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:26 am

Normally I have the exact opposite problem with my two...but we're thinking of adopting this poor boy at this rescue. It's not much of a rescue...but they are at the local Petsmart every Saturday. I thought I'd take some supplies over and was quite shocked at the whole set up. I don't know I just figured these places to be more like pet resorts I guess. They had tons of dogs too...All kinds and wee little puppies. They were in cages scattered throughout the property. Clay, which is the yellow Lab I am thinking bout, was in his little dog run with a dog house and some dirty toys. He is super skinny. Apparently he's been there for 10 months...4 of which he was so emaciated that he could not be adopted out. That means for 10 months out of his 2 years or so he's been living there in that dirty dog run surrounded by other pups in that same situation. Who knows where he was before. He was super sweet and still very much a crazy puppy. He, unfortunately, is not housebroken which is my only real issue to consider, but how could you expect him to be housebroken living in an outside kennel basically. His coat has come back in but it is very coarse and doesn't seem to be very healthy. My dogs are just super soft, even Bella with her coarse black hair....it leads me to beleive he's not groomed very often or is on a poor diet. Poor diet being more likely the case since they rely on donations primarily and when I showed up with some dog and cat food, one of the volunteers said they had run out of canned cat food and were very thankful. The whole scene just brought tears to my eyes...yes the dogs and cats are safe and will not be euthanized...but what kind of life is that? I felt soooo bad for him it was really hard to leave without just taking him home. I know by no means I am not a professional pet trainer and my dogs get out of control from time to time but they're well fed (that's obvious), very loved, are super healthy, and very happy. I just feel we would provide a much better home for the poor guy. Of course I'd like to bring more than just one home. They were all so sweet.

So let me get back to my question...If we do adopt him...my husband thinks its a good idea since he's probably not very adoptable being beyond his puppy years and not housebroken...what is the best way to add weight to him in a healthy way. Should we consider a puppy food that has a higher fat content? Smile

This being so new to me since we are always looking for the lowest fat content possible. My husband and I will go to meet him together probably on Saturday and make a decision then. Just would like to get some thoughts and ideas on the best way to add weight to him and of course you thoughts on the whole idea.

Subject: Re: Putting on weight... Sat Mar 08, 2008 8:46 pm

Have you adopted him?

I think it is great if you can, but you will have quite a handful. I'm the same, have never had a problem with an underweight lab but it sounds like even just giving him regular good food and lots of love will improve his lifestyle and he will soon be adding on the pounds, if they have limited food he is probably not getting enough.

I have seen adverts that promote special, high-fat food to help gain weight, I'm sure on one program they suggested giving a bitch who had just had pups puppy food as it was higher fat and would help her maintain her weight whilst she was feeding the little ones.

Let us know if you decide to take on another lab.

Subject: Re: Putting on weight... Sat Mar 08, 2008 9:22 pm

We're going today. As long as he can pass the "meet my husband" test, we will. As far as the handful...I know it! I have a handful already. But other than the early morning feedings, my dogs have settled down quite nicely. Of course Bella has destroyed our rug, but I tihnk it's because I have let her have the run of the house too early. So while im out on errands...she's in the crate now. I was sooo impressed with Gunner yesterday. He was super well behaved at the rescue and at petsmart afterwards. And with him normally just being around Bella I thought he was going to be out of control. But he did great. Probably b/c he's getting into "oldman-hood" or maybe just b/c I have Bella to compare him too now. Smile

So I'll let you know how it goes.

Subject: Re: Putting on weight... Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:14 am

We took him! He seems to be working out to be a real nice dog. It seems as though he lived in the house. He goes in his crate when told...he likes to lay on the rug (tho we're keeping him and the other two seperated until they get to know each other a bit better), he loved playing with my husband as they were hanging out on the floor together and was a bit mouthy but didn't get rough and stopped when he was told. He seems so comfortable in the house like he's lived in the house at some point.

We are going to try to get him to the vet early next week. Monday if they can fit me in. His paws are pink and inflammed and he's been licking them. It makes me want to say allergy but he doesn't have any other real symptoms...ears look good and skin looks good. But he was walking around on small pebbles and his run had water and poo and I'm sure urine. That might be enough to cuase his feet to be messed up. We will see.

Subject: Reply> Sun Mar 09, 2008 9:17 am

When we run the hounds far they tend to get sore feet, The next day I dip their paws in warm salt water. Dry them instantly then put on aloe vera. Then after that I will put on a substance called "tough foot". As for adding weight puppy food is ok until weight is gained. Also cod liver oil will help a teaspoon with his meal in the morning do that every other day. Also worm him first Nemenex 2 is a good one. Id worm him no matter what unless it was just done. Good luck wheres the pics of this feller?
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Subject: Re: Putting on weight... Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:30 pm

Well he doesn't seem to want to eat. :/ Never had a lab with that issue before but his stomach sure is making noises. When we went he had like half a bowl of food in his run but so did all the other dogs. So I am wondering if they just did a feed once a huge amount and they eat what they want when they want.

The feet seem very sore too...he walks gingerly. We're going to get him fixed up though...right now he's working on pushing himself up on the couch as my husband pets him. Bad habits start early.

Subject: Re: Putting on weight... Mon Mar 10, 2008 2:58 am

Oh, poor boy. Sounds like he had a rough start in life.. The feet could be an allergy reaction. Some dogs show different signs. Rainy and Beau are both allergic to Chicken , and had different signs. Beau got an ear infection that would not go away. We would treat it, it'd go a way, but then come back. After battling with it for a month, we had to question. Vet said it's highly probable that he has an allergy. I had to ask " To what" . Remembering that Rainy suffered hair loss with hers, we didn't think it could be the food...We switched to Lamb and Rice anyway and haven't had a problem with his ears. Same with Rain, her hair on her nose grew back. So maybe ask the vet when you get there. Excessive licking could also be the problem, and that could of been caused from being cooped up. It's hard to say. I just know that Labs are quite prone to allergies, so it's a possibility.

Does sound like he's fit it nicely. I'm sure Bella, Gunner and he will be the best of friends. Can't wait for pictures.....

Oh, and him being allergic to the food could be the reason why he won't eat much too.. Rainy did that with her food allergy.. Maybe go pick up a small bag of Lamb kibble , if you feed chicken, and see how he reacts to that ?
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Subject: Re: Putting on weight... Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:11 am

He seems better this afternoon...the foot licking has sorta subsided...still inflammed. He did eat 1 1/2 c of pro plan puppy around 2 and then at 1 c and 1 can of the same around 5. He's doing really good. Still a happy humper which Gunner doesn't appreciate. So we are working on that. He LOVES my husband. He lays next to him all the time and I notice the humping sorta begins when Guns gets close to my husband. Seems as though he thinks husband is his person. Smile

He played ball a bit but doesnt want to give it up. But then again neither does Bella. They're doing good.

Pics tomorrow I promise...Didn't get the camera charged since I was outside raking allll day.

Subject: Re: Putting on weight... Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:23 am

Well sounds like he just got to excited to eat lol.. Happy pupper for sure !! I think he'll get along well with everyone like they've known eachother from the get-go.. He sounds like a sweety !! I can't wait for the pics !
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Subject: Re: Putting on weight... Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:06 am

Well we visited the vet today. She really likes him. Smile

She believes him to be only about 15 mos to 18 mos old. A bit younger than the rescue thought. (Great...I got a puppy LOL) His fecal test came back negative and ears and teeth look good. We got some spray for his feet which she things was irritated by environment or slight allergy that appears to be subsiding since he's not licking incessively. She also explained since he wasn't neutered that long ago...it takes a bit for the testosterone levels to taper off which may explain some of the humping but gave me some pointers on that. Things have been going better today...I have had him out of the crate almost all day except for while I was in the shower and couldn't keep an eye on him. He made himself at home on the couch which I nor Guns appreciated.

Will plug in the camera tonight for pics tomorrow! I've been slow about doing that.

Subject: Re: Putting on weight... Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:08 am

Cool - another pup! Sounds like he's doin great so far. Keep it up with the canned food. The moisture is good for him and they usually have more protein. If he won't eat dry food (which is weird for a Lab) maybe make him up some rice and boiled meat. Could be he's not used to eating and having food is a "new" thing. Not that they didn't feed him, but maybe they didn't have enough all the time (you mentioned they had run out of canned cat food).
Either way it seems like he's fitting in great and loves everyone (typical Lab). Can't wait for pics.

Subject: Re: Putting on weight... Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:39 pm

Oh yeah he's eating now...doesn't matter if its can, mixed, or dry. He loves to eat. He's doing good and we've had fewer humping incidents so that's getting better.

I did find out this morning his heartworm test is a weak positive. So we get to do treatment.

The vet suggested waiting 3-4 weeks to give him time to settle down in the house.

The rescue had documents showing he was negative in September but when asked what kind of heartworm preventative and when he had actually taken last...no one could really tell me. The vet did say that it takes a while to show up so if he came in in Sept and tested negative it could be that he previously contracted prior to his intake date.

Atleast this way, he'll be treated. I dont know how long he'd had to live with it there if he was heartworm positive...if they would have treated him...and if he would have ever been adopted as a result.

Subject: Re: Putting on weight... Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:48 pm

Good to hear he is doing well and eating ! .. It could be worse, at least it's not bad and can be treated with sucess ! Poor boy would have probably not have been tested again, if they are short funded and then, you have to think how bad it would of gotten.. He's a lucky boy !
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Subject: Re: Putting on weight... Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:42 pm

Exactly. He's a lucky guy. I've got all three of them laid out across the living room floor and cooking dinner was a blast last night stepping over all of them! As if tripping over two wasn't bad enough. Smile

He's doing very good though and seems to have been inside someone's home at some point. Yesterday, he felt it was necessary to make himself right at home on the couch. Gunner didnt' like that at all...when I pulled him off and told him to get off...Gunner growled and grabbed his neck. He does that with Bella but not as mean and loud. I think he feels like he's got to protect me and teach them all the ropes.

Funny thing happened last night. Bella...after looking in Clay's crate for awhile...decided to go in and sit in the back and look at us. Clay went in and like sat on her. So she came out. A few mins later she went into the bedroom and was whining. So my husband goes in to check out whats wrong with her and she's sitting in her crate. She barked at him when he went in there like let me out. She was just sitting in there on her own. So I had him bring her bed to the living room where she cuddled up and went to sleep. Smile

I guess she just wanted something cuddly of her own to lay on. She's so high maintenance.