Hi there

Wonder if anyone has any advice as to what foods, supplements, or diets are good at putting weight on a dog
We have an epileptic male Italian Spinone called Ollie who has been through an awful time in that the epilepsy drugs caused severe toxicity leading to bone marrow suppression and further trauma with pnuemonia.
He has been in the Animal Health Trust hospital for just over 2 weeks, and has lost all in all about 10kg (total since diagnosed as epileptic in Feb '05)
He is home now thanks to the wonderful neurologists, but we are advised to feed him up slowly to regain his natural weight of 45kg

I wondered if there are any build up supplements for dogs (like Complan for us humans!) or does anyone have anything they have used before.
So far I have found a goats milk supplement (veterinary recommened specially for dogs) called TOP LIFE - this has green tea extract, and glucosamine chrondratin to boost immune system and bones....  Ollie has this as a 'rice pudding' (the goats milk and brown rice !)
I am also giving Ollie Brown rice, lots of veggies and his normal feed of dog food which is The Natural Dog Food Company All in One Chicken.
Obvioulsy I don't want to change his regular food as he is stable on this food (and you have to be very careful changing with an epileptic) but am looking for any supplements people have had success with using.

Any advice gratefully received  :-)
Shelley and Ollie

To be honest I would be inclined to just give him a bit more of what he is already getting, if you are trying to build him back at a nice steady rate, this will do the trick, without upsetting his balance.

Typically things that are added to dog food to increase weight gain are either fat based or sugar based. But as I say if he is stable why risk adding things that may upset him?

I once read a tip in DW that a hard boiled egg just before bedtime was good for adding body. I often give my dog one after a show as he does look a bit tired in the evenings!

Why bother with the hard boiling? Mine love raw eggs and get them at least once a week as one of their 'eggstras' (excuse the pun). A great source of protein and a good standby when I run short of meat or money!

We always gave brest of lamb for putting weight on our dogs it worked but with you rdog problems I do not know if he special diet

There is a food supplement sold in pet stores called Pet Botanics rolled meat (not sure how to post a link here) http://www.petsmart.com/
I believe I recall hearing that this product will put weight on a dog.  good luck

Thanks everyone for your advice....so far I have been giving Ollie the  brown rice and 'Top Life' Goats milk drink and he's already adding a little weight - slowly but surely !
Will certainly try to hard boiled egg though - can only be a nice change here and there
Thanks :-)
Shelley & Ollie

Both my Tibetan Mastiff girla Barbie and Baborka were slim, Baborka when she arrived and Barbie because we could not find anything that she would eat for more than 2 days, but we found Nature MENU, Barbie would not eat the Nature Diet, Barbie is always getting compliments and people saying how she was filling out and the shine on her coat, we have had Barborks on the same food for 2 1/2 to 3 weeks and the kennel staff have been amazed at the amount of body and shine she is now getting, as a a tyPe of natural food that immitates BARF. it is made by Anglia Meat Products/ It may be worth a trial for a couple of weeks if it suits.

Lynn

Hi,
You need a greyhound breeder to tell you the tricks of the trade,
They feed there greyhound on plenty of raw eggs, and chicken I think!
They have to be fit and not to overwieght, especially those who race them!
High in protein. It works! it sounds as if this is what the poor boy needs.
Regards
Denese