Skinny Weim

[Weim2]

I just don't know what to do for our guy anymore.

We have a 9 year old male, neutered Weimaraner. We switched him off of his IAMS diet about a year ago. (I can't believe the stuff they have in there!) We put him on Timberwolf instead. He switched relatively easily but had some horrible gas. Things were going well after awhile though. He seemed to enjoy his food a lot again and the gas let off. His stools were easier to pass for the first time in... well... ever! Now he's loosing weight like mad, horrible gas again and really, really nervous about everything. I know he has fall allergies but he's chewing his feet up like crazy. I've taken to soaking his paws in baking soda water, he's been to the vet and had an allergy shot too. Nothing seems to really help though. OH and he has huge separation anxiety issues. We are working with those the best we can too. He's not so much of a big chewer as he was when he's a pup. He has some bones, a rope toy, big plastic ball and more available for chewing though.

So does anyone have any new ideas that I have not thought of yet? I'm just getting started on the whole brainstorming our next step here.

I am always afraid to post for help in forums too because of the fact that I tend to get some pretty harsh responses. If I didn't love our guy, I wouldn't be here looking for help though.

 

[Zoom]

Which formula of Timberwolf are you using? Sometimes a grain-free diet, even when using the best ingredients, makes it hard for a dog to keep weight on. How much does he weigh? Is there anyway you could post a picture? Often (not that I'm saying this is exactly your case) when a dog gets into optimum shape, he's mistaken for too skinny, just because we've been so conditioned by all the fat dogs out there.

For the seperation anxiety, you could try buying Emma Parson's book "Click to Calm" and perhaps look into buying some Bach's Rescue Remedy. It's an all-natural herbal formula that helps to calm a dog, sort of like natural Valium. Won't knock him out, but will take the edge off, allowing you to make headway with your training.

What is his current set-up when you leave? Is he crated, loose, confined to one room? Do you have a set routine before you walk out the door?

There's something really intense about the fall allergies right now, both my dogs are chewing their feet and they NEVER do that.

 

[LoveNewfies]

Just a quick thought - have you had his thyroid checked? Perhaps a complete adrenal work up would be wise.

 

[Zoom]

That too! I just woke up and realized that I'm out of creamer, so I haven't had my coffee yet.

 

[Weim2]

So sorry for the delay in replying. Been busy keeping up with some two legged kids.

Here's some pix of the puppy... well... adult dog. He still acts like a puppy though.

They are not the best because everytime I tried to take his pix he would either lay down or turn his back to me. Crazy dog. You can see his feet in the pix real good though and how red they are.

He gets the Blackforest formula and I recently found out that he had been self feeding. Grrr... we have one of those food dispenser bins on the wall and he's been getting food a lot more then he should. I've duct taped the dispenser closed now. I can't believe he's NOT gained weight by eating this way, but I now know why he's been soooo gassy.

What is his current set-up when you leave?
He's been evicted to the garage. He is destroying everything. Claws up doors and pulls up carpet. Eats towels and blankets too. We have coats for him (had to get more thoguh because he shredded his last one.) We are in a new house now and I just can't have him tearing everything up already.

Is he crated, loose, confined to one room?
He has about 5 ft to move around in the garage and a kitty pool with bedding to curl up in for the winter. I hate seeing him be cold but he just destroys everything that it makes it hard to keep him warm. We cannot crate (and this is some of the problem with his anxiety that we are trying to break) because when he was younger he flipped out in a crate and collapsed it on himself! It was a horrible thing and we never crated him again. For awhile he was okay with things but now again he's into destroying things.

Do you have a set routine before you walk out the door?
Yes and no... we always pack up the diaper bag before leaving and I make sure he's gone potty, run around a bit, has water, coat on, etc.

I hope I answered lots of questions... I have never had his thyroid checked. I am considering another type of food maybe??

 

[~Tucker&Me~]

Honestly, he actually doesn't look skinny to me. Maybe it's the camera angle?

It would be much easier if he was standing up though. Like, a profile shot and a top shot.

~Tucker

 

[noludoru]

He looks great. I can't see any vertebrae or hips, and plenty of muscle tone.

 

[Weim2]

Yah... I know those pix are not good for seeing his weight. He would not stand anytime I tried to take the pix and whenever he was standing he was moving so much the pix came out blurry. I will try again though.

I can tell you that I can see the knob on top of his head and 3-4 vertebrae on his back when he's standing. I do not see ribs though. He's always had great muscle tone... I think it's because he rarely is ever sitting still.

 

[LoveNewfies]

If you can't see his ribs, and his hip bones are not sticking out, I wouldn't be overly concerned. Better to be a bit lean than a bit heavy.