Gaining weight rapidly

[MOKASMOM]

Moka was at the vet on 4-10-2004 and weighed in at 91IBS and she had to go back to the vet on 4-12-2004 and she weighed 93IBS. They did a blood panel on her and she is borderline thyroid. The vet told me to take her off Flint River Ranch and put her on a low calorie diet. Well here is the problem she can not have processed dog food she will get really sick. So I found that Flint River make a Lamb/Rice/Millet food which is 80 calories less then what she is on. Do you think it's worth switching her to this lower food or not? If she does not loose weight in 3 months she will be put on thyroid medicine then. I mean she already takes Rymidel 2xs a day, Baytril 2xs a day (for bladder infections) and Glucosime for her HD. She does not excersie much do to she still has Pano very bad. I mean now it is to the point that her back leags are wabbling and she can't get up on her own. So if someone could give me some good advice on what I can do I would appreciate it much.

Thank You

[spidey]

Low calorie foods are a rip off in my opinion (although I quite like the Canidae Platinum if you must feed low-calorie foods) - you're paying for filler which you could just add yourself. I say just feed less of her regular food (assuming it suits her) and supplement her with low-cal/high-fibre things like green beans. That said, if she were my dog, I'd get a second opinion about her thyroid results (and get a six panel workup done) - many vets feel that treating borderline cases is the best course of action, and it doesn't sound like your girl can afford to be overweight for another three months if she doesn't have to be.

[MOKASMOM]

I say just feed less of her regular food (assuming it suits her) and supplement her with low-cal/high-fibre things like green beans.


Ok I have a question then. How much less should I feed her. She only gets 2 cups a day and no treats in-between. In the morning she gets a kong filled with frozen chicken broth. And for dinner she only gets 1 tablespoon of yogurt. So if you could tell me should I only decrease her kibble food to 1 1/2 cups and supplement with green beans or go less then that?

Thanks

[jasygirl]

I have found a good filler that my dog loves is carrots--very low calorie. Although the girls love peas (raw) and beans as well.

[MOKASMOM]

Originally Posted by jasygirl

I have found a good filler that my dog loves is carrots--very low calorie. Although the girls love peas (raw) and beans as well.

Thanks and I have tried carrots for Moka but she gets sick off of them. I have tried broccoli and cauliflower and she doesnt like those either she just spits them out of her mouth and walks away. But i never tried peas or green beans yet so I guess I could see if that works.

[frontierrots]

Has your vet done a complete blood panel and chem profile? I'd be very worried about the wobbly legs. She could be having a reaction to the Rimadyl and or Baytril. pano is not normally THAT crippling, though it can be in rare cases

Also your vet should send her blood off to Michigan State for a 6 panel thyroid. That will give you a better picture

[MOKASMOM]

Originally Posted by frontierrots

Has your vet done a complete blood panel and chem profile? I'd be very worried about the wobbly legs. She could be having a reaction to the Rimadyl and or Baytril. pano is not normally THAT crippling, though it can be in rare cases

Also your vet should send her blood off to Michigan State for a 6 panel thyroid. That will give you a better picture

To be honest the vet thought about sending the blood work to Michigan State but decided not to. For what reason I have no idea. I know a few months back they took x-rays and her Pano is really bad. I had 2 opinions done on the Pano and her hips. Both vets said her Pano is the worst they seen in a long time. I really don't like giving her the Rimadyl unless she really needs it. She walks 2xs a day for 15 minutes seeing that is all she can handle or she is very unsteading on the legs then.

As far as the Baytril she has been on it every month. She started Baytril in December and every monthe after she seems to be having bladder infections. My poor baby is really not doing very well and 3 vets I have talked to told me to put her down because this will get very costly in the long run with all her health problems. I just cant do that to her. If there is a cure for her I will pay whatever it takes to keep her here on earth.

[spidey]

I'd try cutting her back by half a cup, split evenly into two meals, and supplementing her with green beans (I'd avoid peas, they're high in sugar). But honestly, I'd see about getting some bloodwork sent off to Michigan State as frontierrotts suggested or getting a second opinion - and as I said, I'd probably be pushing to try her on meds if she's borderline hypothyroid, trying to solve a possible metabolic problem with diet alone doesn't seem like the most useful course of action to me.

[MOKASMOM]

Originally Posted by spidey

I'd try cutting her back by half a cup, split evenly into two meals, and supplementing her with green beans (I'd avoid peas, they're high in sugar). But honestly, I'd see about getting some bloodwork sent off to Michigan State as frontierrotts suggested or getting a second opinion - and as I said, I'd probably be pushing to try her on meds if she's borderline hypothyroid, trying to solve a possible metabolic problem with diet alone doesn't seem like the most useful course of action to me.

Thank You!!! I will get a 2nd opinion about the bloodwork. I just have another question how much green beans do you give and are they fresh or in a can? This is all new to me.

Thanks!!

[LavenderRott]

Chase has done great on canned green beans. But she started at 135 and has good hips. I am not sure how much you would feed Moka.