Hi,
I'm writing to ask if anyone knows if it is possible for a 3 week old puppy to be too fat. Stumpy was a single pup and his Mum is doing a great job but he is so huge. He really looks quite obese. Obviously he doesn't have to fight to get to the best teat or anything. It's all handed to him on a plate as it were. I am a bit worried however, because the books say he should be up on his legs by now and he isn't. He doesn't seem to be able to use his back legs properly yet. Is this usual? I have read about this 'swimmers ' syndrome but Stumpy doesn't seem as bad as they describe in the books. He can lift his chest of the floor and he can take his weight on his front legs. He just seems so fat I wonder if that is why he isn't walking yet. Do you think I should limit the access his Mum has to him? At present she feeds him every time he moves!

Hi
you havnt said what breed ???? give us a clue haha
agiosgsds

I wouldn't worry too much, its unlikely he's a swimmer - just well stuffed. :-) I have had a couple of singletons and they were both like seals til 4-5 weeks. Make sure the bedding and flooring is non slip so when he does get started he can get a grip. When he does start lurching about,maybe put a square of carpet down or a cheap rug, rather than lino or newspapers. It should only take 4 or 5 days for him to find his land legs then you can throw it away. He will soon lose his rolls of fat - just dont start to wean him too early - he wont need it if mum keeps feeding him so well - maybe not until 5 weeks or so, but do worm him soon, dont wait til you start to wean.

Thanx Westie lover, that was just what I wanted to hear! Ill go and see the vet about a suitable worming prepaaton tomorrow. By the way anyone who hasn't read previous threads, Stumpy is a lhasa Apso.

Hi Westilover
This ones for you. Do you know how much a 6 month old Westie Male should weigh. My Buddy is 6.4kg. I'm a new dog owner and am finding things out as i go along so i value advice from experienced persons.
Many thanks.

Hi budmag, sorry didn't see your message til just now. Its hard to say about weight as puppies from different breeding lines mature at different rates. Some can be almost adult height /weight by 8 months, others are much slower. As adults they should weigh around 9 kilos or maybe 10 for a mature dog. Its better to gauge their actual condition (fat they are carrying) rather than actual total weight. When you run your hand down from behind his ears to his shoulders on the top line, there should not be a hint of a roll of fat, and once you have your fingers right inside his coat you should be able to feel his ribs easily without having to dig for them. Behind his inner elbows should be "free space" his front leg movement should not be restricted by any fat lying behind them, on his sides. Hope this is clear!! better to be on the lean rather than tubby side at this age as developing leg bones and joints need all the help they can get to stay sound. It is thought that overweight puppies+too much exercise (running up and downstairs, jumping on and off furntiure especially) can bring on Legge Perthes disease.

I had one extremely fat pup in one of my litters a few years ago - the rest of the litter were toddling about beautifully, but George just lay there - he could haul himself round by his front legs when he needed to get the the 'milk bar' but made no effort to get up on his hind legs, they just lay behind him. He definetely wasn't a swimmer, as his chest was a perfectly normal shape. By 4 weeks I was in a panic, and start some excercises with him. I use to lie him on my knee for a few minutes 4 or 5 time per day, and do gently cycling and swimming motions with his legs. Gradually I felt a little resistance, and he was up and toddling well before 5 weeks.

So dont panic, but a little light excercise may help.

Gwen

Sure it can happen---theres fat pups just like theres fat people in life--no offense to anyone i'm just being logical. Don't worry about it-- it'll probably be fine--if the pup does seem to be taking too much milk--just keep em away when he goes for the excess milk. maybe taking him for a scramble around a perimeter of a table or something will make him lose a little weight--its probably no big deal, but, don't forget it altogether.

WHAT?
Can anyone make any sense of Cinnamon's post here?
I'm either real thick and I missed the point of the *advice* or I don't know as much as I'd hoped I did!
Nicky

It has as much sense as putting a 2 month old baby on a diet :rolleyes: Just ignore it, she's not an adult and it sounds as if the constant "diet" propaganda of the media has affected her judgement.

OK :D Thanx
Nicky

I have a litter of Husky pups at the moment. They are 5 weeks old and they are a nightmare. At 3 weeks not all of them were using their back legs. You just wait untill that little 1 is runnuing and playing and being a nuesense, you'll forget all about this.
And don't worry about the weight. Just be happy your pup is getting all he needs and is healthy.

If he drinks too much he will just poo it out the other end, no harm will come to him. The bitch will soon just produce enough for him and not a full litter as she would in the begining. Nature is great at sorting these things out.
Ted

I would agree to see your vet and make sure the worming he's receiving is appropriate. . .just to make sure he's just tubby. Janet