Skinny Old Dog

[Stevenzachsmom]

Old Dog, Annie, is 13 years old and she is skinny. It is almost time for her yearly physical. I will get a weight and talk to the vet then. Here is my dilemma....

I can feed Annie more and she will gain weight. She likes to eat. But....her rear end has gotten weak. I don't want extra weight on her hips. How thin is too thin?

Should my priority be her hips, or her weight?

[onyx'girl]

Supplements with probiotics and digestive enzymes may help her. Are you giving Vitamin C, fish oil, E, glucosamine and chondroitin? That will make a huge difference in her joint health.
The probi/enzymes will help her utilize her food better, so she may just add some needed muscle where it is needed without adding pounds.

[carmspack]

your priority should be to give her the best source of protein , easiest to digest food possible. With age digestion tends to be compromised so you have to help her .
Why would you deny her pleasure of food at this age.
Carmen
Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs

[Stevenzachsmom]

Thanks guys. No, I would not deny her food. What I was saying, is I feed her the recommended amounts according to her weight and energy level. I know she would gain weight if I fed more, but also know that extra weight on her rear end is not a good thing.

Jane, I have not given the probi/enzymes and that sounds like an excellent idea. She has very poor muscle mass in her hip area. I think that is what I am really seeing when I say she is too skinny. I have only given her the glusoamine chondroitin. I'm sure there are links to dosages for the supplements. I will try to find them.

Annie has been incredibly healthy. She gets around pretty well. Still does steps and runs around the yard. There is definitely weakness in her rear. I will certainly try your suggestions and will get the vets' opinion as well.

Thank you,
Jan

[carmspack]

I wasn't addressing amounts or calories. My concern was her ability to digest and absorb , hence the suggestion of the best quality of protein .
Sounds like she has had some good care all along.
Carmen

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

I had really good luck with Adequan in strengthening (not the right word) the rear end. After only 2 of the 4 weeks of loading doses, I was able to push down on my dog's rear end and not have it give.

[Stevenzachsmom]

I'm sorry Carmen. I didn't mean it that way. I didn't think you thought I was starving her. LOL! I understand and agree with your input. Annie was a rescue dog and I think I just got lucky, health-wise. Have had her for 11 of her 13 years. She is very loved and I want to do right by her and keep her healthy for as long as possible.

Jean, Adequan sounds wonderful. I could not push on my dog. She would go down for sure. Some times she goes to eat and just slides into a sit. I trimmed her nails and the fur between her pads to make her less slippery.

I will continue to research all the wonderful advice. I am taking notes. Really - I'm writing it all down.

Thank you!

[carmspack]

Adequan is pretty good but at 13 years of age , realistically, you are not going to see much regeneration (telemeres run out) of muscle or cartilage/ligaments. This dog is exhibiting her grand old age. She is one lucy dog to have so many years .
All you can do is to provide comfort and anti inflammatories. There are natural analgesics which you can add to the food such as turmeric, cayenne, ginger, cinnamon , alfalfa , yucca.
Omega 3s are anti inflammatory.
MSM is good. Glucosamine.

Deer Antler Velvet !!

There are little infra red light heating pads which are very soothing.
I bought a British Dog magazine yesterday and saw some of these in the adverts section.

Carmen
Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs

[carmspack]

I know . Don't worry.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Oddly enough it did work in a situation where a dog was weak in the hind end so I would not discount it. He was 13 when we started but a GSD mix - he was on it for 3 years.