Hi,
I have a 5 year old boxer named Buddy...For the past 2 years I've seen several vets and I have spent lots of money on what they kept saying was chronic ear infections.  They wanted me to keep him on prednisone and through research i found out it causes liver failure if it is taken for an extended period of time.  I took him to another vet 4 months ago and he suggested switching his current dog to something he has never eaten before, so he (the vet) could determine if it might be  a food allergy.  So, he put him on a VERY expensive food (Duck & Potato) and told me to add raw veggies as well...Since Buddy has been on this diet his ears and skin have improved (i am also giving him Borage oil daily)  But the problem i'm having now is that he has lost a lot of weight...Buddy weighed approx 75-80 lbs before the diet and he now weighs 55-60 lbs and looks very thin, but the vet has done blood work to check everything and he is in perfect health...So, the question i would like answered is if anyone has had this same problem.  and what could i safely add to his diet to help him gain weight..

Thanks
shon

You should be safe with feeding him green tripe,it should put some body on him,i also feed Suit if one of mine is underweight,it seems to do the trick,you can get Suit at your butcher.

christine
p.s can you have a look at my reply under the "pug with bad skin" thread and let me know what you think  :)

Hi

Thanks for the information, but i've tried tripe and he throws it up....This is the most finicky dog i've ever owned.  I read your post about your pug and i gave you some info that i hope will help you...My little Lady is doing just fine now..

Shon

Shon,
i cant seem to find the info you mentioned,it isnt under the pug post?

christine

P.s i dont have a pug,i have shih-tzu's ;) I was asking about the borage oil.

Have you had your dog actually allergy tested?  The vet will send off a blood test and the results will tell you what exactly your dog is allergic to; it is not necessary to buy an expensive commercial diet in most cases.  The dog I rehomed had chronic ear infections, he was allergy tested and proved allergic to beef, soya, wheat, maize, oats and potato.  As I feed raw this was not a problem. He never had another ear infection and put on weight!

Allergy testing is not cheap in the short run but very cost effective in the long run as it saves numerous vet visits and experimenting with food and good for your dog's health.

Hi

The reason we haven't tested him yet is because we still owe the vet close to $1000 and the allergy testing will cost approx $500 and we just don't have that kind of money right now.  So I'm just trying a few alternatives to see if it will help..

Thanks
shon

Hi

Just to let you know, we have a two year old Boxer and he has a food allergy, wer'e not sure what he's allergic to, but we think its wheat and dairy products. He's now on a diet of James Wellbeloved turkey & rice and turkey breast as suggested by our vet. Again his allergy has cleared but he is really skinny. I was hoping for some advice too, but i thought i'd let you know that you're not alone and I wish i could give you some advice. If you find a solution to fattening him up let me know. Good luck!!
Tina

HI

Its glad to know that i'm not the only one with this problem.  I've done some research and found that you can add Coconut Oil to their diet to help add calories and fat to their diet and it isn't harmful..Lamb is also suspose to be good for putting on weight..Someone suggested trip but Buddy throws it up, If i find something that works i'll let you know..

Good Luck
shon

Shon,

You can also add a spoonful of oil to his meals as well, it adds Kalories without requiring him to eat more than he may want to eat.  You can try organic olive oil or a fish oil.

Stacey

Hi Tina

I sent you a message a week ago telling you about a few things other members told me to feed my dog to help him gain weight...well i found something that works its peanut butter...but you have to be careful what kind to buy.. I'm not sure if you have access to the particular brand i buy where you are from. ( i live in the U.S.)

Smucker's (the brand i purchase) makes an "ALL NATURAL" peanut butter.  It doesn't contain any of the hydrogentated or partially hydrogenated oils in it that aren't good for dogs.  Its just peanuts (a little salt) and nothing else.  If your not from the U.S.  you may find another brand that is "all natural".

I've been giving him 3 tablespoos a day for the past week.  I brought him to the vet today and he has gained 3 pounds..YEAH!!!! and the good part is that he loves it.  I mix it with his special food and veggies and he will eat around the peanut butter saving it for last and then go to the cabinet and beg for more.

I hope this helps, please email me if you have any more questions         dssk@earthlink.net

thanks,
Shon