No Energy

[savannah]

Our rottweiler is almost 4 years old. She use to walk 5 miles a day with my husband until October 2004. My husband went to Europe for almost nine weeks then Christmas, bad weather, etc. She did get some exercise with me during that time just not nearly what she was use to having. She gained ten pounds!
Now she is still excited to take a walk but seems to have no endurance now and is lagging quickly. She doesn't run like she use to either. We have started her on low calorie Eukanuba and warned all employees not to feed her. We have been hoping that as she loses some weight that she will get back her endurance. She is currently walking at least two miles a day in two sessions. Any advice?

[spidey]

She has no stamina in all likelihood because she's out of shape and overweight (assuming that she's had a vet check within the last year and the vet didn't find anything wrong). Low calorie dog food is a bit of a waste of money, you'd probably be better off feeding her a higher quality food, just feed less of it and supplement with low-calorie, high fibre foods like green beans. Build the exercise up gradually, don't exhaust her, an overweight, out of shape dog can hurt itself if it's over-exercised, just like people can.

Good for you for recognizing a problem and taking steps to fix it.

[savannah]

I thought that Eukanuba was a high quality food. What food would be better? Yes, Savannah gets regular vet care. Thanks for your response.

[Rottlva]

I would also check her thyroid! Perhaps that this is just overfeeding/underexercising, however, hypothyroidism comes to mind. How does her coat condition look, does her belly feel warm or cool to you?

I would speak to a vet about this lack of stamina.

[savannah]

Thanks for your reply. Her belly is warm and her coat is beautiful. I have been debating on taking her to the vet. She has always been so healthy.