Dog weight loss.
Discussion
Hi, looking for some advice. My best pal is very ill but does not realise it!
He is a 10/11 year old Rottweiler, not sure of his age as we rescued him. He was diagnosed with a serious illness about 3 months ago, not sure what he has because he is really not strong enough to start being put through any procedures that would involve anasthetics but he appears to have a tumour in his abdomen and he has lost a large amount of weight. The thing is, he is still eating well, his usual amount, he still wants to go out for a walk (although very slowly) and he seems to not be in any pain and is happy. He still has quality of life, that is why we want to prolong his time for as long as we can but we also realise that it is inevitable that he will not be with us much longer.
We are not looking for a miracle cure, as nice as that would be, we would like some advice as to how we could possibly get some weight back on him. Is there some sort of supplement that we could give? His only medication at the moment is some steroids (preds?) and he is always hungry but keeps losing weight.
Sorry for rambling on, any help much appreciated.
He is a 10/11 year old Rottweiler, not sure of his age as we rescued him. He was diagnosed with a serious illness about 3 months ago, not sure what he has because he is really not strong enough to start being put through any procedures that would involve anasthetics but he appears to have a tumour in his abdomen and he has lost a large amount of weight. The thing is, he is still eating well, his usual amount, he still wants to go out for a walk (although very slowly) and he seems to not be in any pain and is happy. He still has quality of life, that is why we want to prolong his time for as long as we can but we also realise that it is inevitable that he will not be with us much longer.
We are not looking for a miracle cure, as nice as that would be, we would like some advice as to how we could possibly get some weight back on him. Is there some sort of supplement that we could give? His only medication at the moment is some steroids (preds?) and he is always hungry but keeps losing weight.
Sorry for rambling on, any help much appreciated.
Sadly I don't think surgery would make much difference so you are right to not go down that route. Though he would probably survive it, it is highly likely given his breed, age and symptoms that it has spread and surgery would not solve it that.
I'm sorry he has this and it is awful to witness your friend go through it but offering palliative care is all you can really do now. Make sure he is not in pain and check the steroids are helping a little. It may only be days or a few weeks so make the most of your time with him.
Re food he needs high energy, high protein foods to try and reduce wt loss and muscle loss. What is he eating at the mo?
I'm sorry he has this and it is awful to witness your friend go through it but offering palliative care is all you can really do now. Make sure he is not in pain and check the steroids are helping a little. It may only be days or a few weeks so make the most of your time with him.
Re food he needs high energy, high protein foods to try and reduce wt loss and muscle loss. What is he eating at the mo?
Hi, thanks for the reply. We have continued to feed him on a dried food, Vitalin sensitive. We started on this some time ago as he has always had a sensitive stomach and this gave him some stability. We supplement this by mixing it with yoghurt which seems to help. Would it be worth adding something like whey powder or the protein mixes that the bodybuilders use?
I don't have any experience of using whey powder or protein builder in dogs tbh so not sure if that would be ok or not.
I was thinking along the lines of complete foods with good quality ingredients good quality protein and high calories, but it may be tricky if he has a dogy stomach.
Foods like Orjen or Lily's Kitchen (lily's kitchen have a great helpline and can advise on what one of their foods may suit best)
A pro biotic would be no bad thing to add especially if any toileting issues such loose stools.
I was thinking along the lines of complete foods with good quality ingredients good quality protein and high calories, but it may be tricky if he has a dogy stomach.
Foods like Orjen or Lily's Kitchen (lily's kitchen have a great helpline and can advise on what one of their foods may suit best)
A pro biotic would be no bad thing to add especially if any toileting issues such loose stools.
When my dogs have needed building up or just tempting to eat, I have given them hot oat cereal (like Readybrek) made with goats' milk rather than cows' milk as it's more gentle on their stomachs. I used to do it in the microwave then cool it down to a reasonable temperature.
I've also made mine fried eggy bread/french toast before.
Sadly weight loss can be a side effect of steroids - another of my dogs has an immune disorder which needs treatment with steroids, and he always loses weight on them. Our vet recommended feeding him puppy food when he's on steroids as it's higher in protein.
I know where you are right now - I've had several dogs with abdominal tumours
You are in my thoughts, good luck.
I've also made mine fried eggy bread/french toast before.
Sadly weight loss can be a side effect of steroids - another of my dogs has an immune disorder which needs treatment with steroids, and he always loses weight on them. Our vet recommended feeding him puppy food when he's on steroids as it's higher in protein.
I know where you are right now - I've had several dogs with abdominal tumours
You are in my thoughts, good luck.Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff