Dogg losing weight...

dressagelove

dressagelove

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Dont know if any of you remember me? With the ex police dog called Dogg :D
When he came to us he was on a working dog mix, and my mum changed him to Bakers (please dont hunt us down, we are not very experienced!) Anyway he has lost loads of weight and looks very poor, he wasnt huge when he came to us, but he has definitely lost weight.

He went to the vet and vet said, it could be the food, or he could have an underlying problem (specifically pancreas related as that is common in alastians?). We decided first to worm him and change his food, he is now on a natural, proper food, (cant remember its name) which he has been on for a few weeks. When should we start seeing an improvement? He is still looking skinny. If it is potentially a pancreatic problem, what would this mean for him? Any ideas? :)
 
The pancreas problem would have become apparent 6-18 months.
The food literally goes right through them, they look like hatracks and the pooh is pale and watery and fatty.

GSDs really show when they are being fed bad food.
Get him on raw or if dry, something like Arden Grange (designed for and by a GSD breeder) Fish4Dogs, Skinners Duck and Rice etc.

He did not look bad at all in those pics you posted, GSDs should have a natural tuck-up and the last one or two ribs on show if they are breathing in and out heavily, and I would rather have a lean one than a fatty. My older dog is naturally lean and I prefer him that way. Bear in mind if he came from kennels he would have been doing no exercise and would have been very soft, if he is very active with you guys then he will be dropping weight.
Feed by eye, not what it says on the packet, if the dog is skinny, feed more, if the dog is fat, feed less.

PS the Kennel Club is phasing out the name Alsatian :p he's a German Shepherd and you are a member of the GSD Mafia, capiche? :p :D
 
To add - I see that some websites are saying that EPI can present from 1-5 years, all the dogs I have known with it have developed it in youth/just reaching maturity, so I stand to be corrected on that, I am not a vet but I think it is unlikely given those pics, I don't think that's something you have to worry about :)
It can be treated with careful diet, and medication/enzyme powders.
 
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He could well just have slimmed down and muscled up with more exercise. I have to say some vets seem to see so many overweight dogs that when they see a dog that is the correct weight they say it is thin, though of course not saying this is the case with him. Did the vet put him on the scales, that would give us an idea of whether or not he is too thin, or post some recent pictures of him.
Just as some vets say a GSD that is lame on its back legs has HD, they can also say a skinny GSD has a pancrease problem:(. It may be the case he has but he would need to be presenting other signs as CC says before I became concerned, and as CC says it is manageable.
If you can stand the smell raw tripe is good at putting weight on, or alternatively something as simple as some sunflower oil in his feed may make a difference. Let us know what he weighs, and if poss see some pics and may hopefully be able to offer more advice.
 
Thanks guys, no he is not insured, but his pooh is quite firm usually.
We weighed him and he weighed 33kg. I think when he came he weighted more like 40...

Lol! Sorry Cave Canem ;) He shall now be a GSD, but what doe the D stand for in it? Why are they phasing out Alastian? Interesting!
 
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