Weight Dilemma

[zeebie]

My miniature poodle is 9 motnhs old now and I am not sure if I am being overly worried but she is first dog I have had that just does not seem to be putting on weight. Had a serious setback at 16 weeks with feeding and care issues when I was hospitalised a succession of care givers who were basically putting food down and leaving so of course older dog got it, I came home to a starved and timid pup.

Returned to 4 small feeds a day with Nutrigel supplement + vet advised program, development has been normal, then 2 months ago a serious gastritis saw her with severe vomiting/diarrhoea and needing IV fluids etc, returned home on cooked minced chicken and rice only + animalac 4 times a day and gradual re introduction to small amount raw diet (Leading Raw growth)mixed with chicken & rice + nutigel +animalac. Now back on normal diet.

She is currenlty hovering around 5.9kg - 6.2kg. Which is probably normal for a dog of her age and size as adult weight in miniature poodle Bitch is usally around 8-9kg.She is very energetic, bright eyes, good coat, my main concern is on feeling her,the backbone protrudes, hips/shoulder bones and ribs are all very easily palpable,(not good when judges examine her I am sure they must think I am starving her), she is not carrying one bit of fat, is extremely fussy eater tends to want to graze rather then eat in one hit, I have employed the put down if not gone in 10 minutes remove(Still having 4 small meals a day due to her inability to eat 2 larger meals). If I take other dog away she distracts to wanting to see where he is and what he is doing etc, If I leave him close by she will eat but often takes food off the plate and puts in front of him to have. I have also left her go all day with no food trying to make her hungry and still she just leaves it, she will have days where she will eat her good quality dry food. also very eager with chicken necks. I tried another main food in case it was the raw she disliked but she just sniffs it and walks away, obviously not a food orientated dog :)

Vet does not seem to think there is a problem, said it is a poodle thing! All the other poodle owners I know all their dogs are either way overweight or good weight and no way you can feel any bones but all are adult ages. Only one other pup which is 2 months older and weighs 8.5kg and quite stocky in build so this only increases my concern.

She has no fleas or parasitic infection these 2 have been checked out. Nothing I can see gives me any indication that she may have underlying disease. Output is normal in relation to input. Does not fatigue easily, eyes are clear and bright. Gums and tongue pink and healthy, no teeth problems. So do I plod on and wait and see? Or get a second opinion and have blood work done to exclude any medical condition.

Edited September 21, 2012 by zeebie

[Stitch]

Have you considered feeding the dogs in separate wire crates side by side?

I have found this works well in situations such as yours. It gives the skinny dog their own space and prevents the well fed dog from stealing or intimidating the skinny one whilst keeping them close enough together to prevent separation anxiety.

Also I have found that small meals frequently is best but you have to give the dogs a while to settle into a routine.

It is the ROUTINE of eating that gives you the weight gain. Once they relax into the feeding routine things start to improve but that can take a few weeks to a few months, depending on the dog. It also requires you to feed the same way at the same times every day.

[zeebie]

Thanks Stitch for your reply :)

Yes did the crate thing all she does is become seriously agitated clawing and scratching frantically at her bedding and the crate while other dog just goes to sleep.

And yes we have such a routine that you could set the clock by it, even tried messing it up to see if that would work.

But thanks for suggestions, I have found that the food bowl is part of problem she does not seem to like the S/S one so changed to flat old tupperware dish and she likes this better, also does not like food cold so if I just take the temp off it slightly that helps, such a FUSSY dog

[JulesP]

Get blood work done. I've had 2 pets now that were fussy eaters and ended up having health problems.

[Rebanne]

, is extremely fussy eater tends to want to graze rather then eat in one hit, I have employed the put down if not gone in 10 minutes remove(Still having 4 small meals a day due to her inability to eat 2 larger meals).

this rings alarm bells for me, what's going on inside of her?

[persephone]

I also tend to think there is more than 'fussy', and would suggest you get her checked by a specialist .

Yes did the crate thing all she does is become seriously agitated clawing and scratching frantically at her bedding and the crate while other dog just goes to sleep.

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has she been crate trained? Is she settled at other times ?

[zeebie]

[

this rings alarm bells for me, what's going on inside of her?

Me too and I am serious now about demanding more blood work, previous general screen has shown nothing except for indication of infection when she was ill, that has resolved, iron studies good, no other immediate abnormalities evident.

[zeebie]

I also tend to think there is more than 'fussy', and would suggest you get her checked by a specialist .

has she been crate trained? Is she settled at other times ]

Yes she is crate trained and will go in as soon as I say "Go crate", even just goes in at times by herself, and very settled and happy 90% of time only issue we have is Eating.

[karly101]

Also you are probably doing this but try switching to a high calorie dry food (puppy or active dog). At least if she eats small amounts it will be very nutrient dense.

I would consider further work up just to put your mind at ease.

[noisymina]

If all else proves equal (she is healthy, active and bloods are clear), just feed her separately to the other dog and forget about it.

My Miniature Poodle I had many years ago was a rescue and never put on weight. She lived a long, healthy and happy life, but always felt seriously thin. Thank goodness for Poodle coats!

[Stitch]

I have been though this with one of mine so I can totally relate.

She had a gut problem and the vets continually told me she was OK. In the end I suggested she be prescribed Zantac as a long shot and it worked!!!

Your girls problem may not be that but if the vets can't do any better, it is worth a try.

Problems arise when the non-eating becomes an established pattern so then the dog has to overcome a medical problem plus a psychological problem too, so it is a good idea to try to sort it out ASAP.

I note that you say your dog doesn't like being in the crate to eat. In your case I suggest you persevere with your crate training for both dogs...a little at a time...making it fun and gradually extending the period of time the dog spends in the crate. For these kind of problem dogs...and they are usually the hyperactive, nervous types...it is a great advantage to helping them eventually relax and then eat normally.

I have had some difficult dogs over the years but one thing is certain, they can ALL be crate trained. It just depends on how persistant you are and how consistant you are in training them.

[Alkhe]

I have no advice about possible health problems, however I too have a dog who sounds similar. She's now 11 (Poodle x) and has ALWAYS been a very fussy eater who really just isn't into food and won't eat if there's anything else that might be more interesting going on. She has always been thin but has never had any health problems that I can recall, and is extremely sprightly - vets (and everyone else) are always amazed that she is 11 years, not 11 months.

It may just be that she's not that into food. Whenever I've raised it with vets they say that she seems in perfect health, and when I raise that my other dog (purebred Poodle) is a little guts, the reaction tends to be that that's unusual for a poodle. Supposedly poodles aren't big eaters?

I've now found that Mimi loves Big Dog BARF patties, so give her 2/3 of one for dinner, and give my other dog the other bit. At first she was suspicious, but she actually seems to like them. If she doesn't want to eat, I'll hand feed her a little bit so she gets the taste, and then she'll start digging in.

Hopefuly that's of some consolation!

[zeebie]

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions and the sharing of similar problems with poodles.

I introduced a new food slowly last week and she was very keen to eat it So then decided on new tac - stop the animalac keep up the nutrigel, remove the dry biscuits and only feed twice a day but smaller amounts initially and hey presto this week we are hungry and interested in "when is the food coming to the bowl mum" :laugh:

So at possible expense of maybe a drop in weight I will persevere and see how we go. with a gradual reintroduction of the dry food and increase in amount of the special blend wet food. It has been suggested to me that like humans she may just be bored with same old food every day so am trying to do a week about without upsetting her digestion etc.

Today saw her first ever 'guarding' of food bowl and pushing older dog away and then she actually barred her teeth and flew at him when he went to take her special chewey beef strap (first time ever she has had one). while I won't allow food protecting and like behaviour a "leave it" saw my older dog retreat and she happily went back to trying to bury her new treat. so maybe suddenly she has turned a corner and realised that food is actually good stuff :D