what kind of health issues could cause a dog to not hold weight?
Posted by Dolores
curious asked:
My 3 year old German Shepherd female won’t hold weight. She has no other symptoms just won’t hold weight. Some foods will bulk her up for a short while but then she drops it all. I’m looking for suggestions of test or heath issues to look into more with my vet.
TRISHA
My 3 year old German Shepherd female won’t hold weight. She has no other symptoms just won’t hold weight. Some foods will bulk her up for a short while but then she drops it all. I’m looking for suggestions of test or heath issues to look into more with my vet.
TRISHA
February 26th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
if she exercises a lot, maybe her metabolism rate is just extremely quick
February 28th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Diabetes, thyroid problems, or cancer could all cause loss of weight, but I’m sure your vet has already tested for these. If all of her blood work is coming back fine, she may just have a high metabolism and can’t gain weight. I have a german shepherd/malamute who also doesn’t gain any weight and after all the tests, which came back fine, the vet said it was probable just the way he was.
March 1st, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Take her to the vet and have her checked for worms! Is she current on vaccinations?
March 4th, 2009 at 11:43 am
It sounds like she has either a heart worm, or another kind of worm. All the vet will do is take some blood and the test could be ran.
If those are negative, then it could be a hypothyroidism which would require medicine. As long as she is not lethargic, and dehydrated she should be fine. You are on the correct track for her, you are a good dog owner!
March 5th, 2009 at 4:03 am
Intestinal parasites, diabetes, thyroid imbalances. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency can be found in some GSDs, but might usually would be accompanied by diarrhea in addition to weight loss or failure to gain weight.
March 8th, 2009 at 9:48 am
worms, intestinal bacteria, internal problems, disease of an organ, cancer, The vet can do a blood panel to help figure this out it is not very expensive usually about 120-160 …Good luck
You don’t say what foods you have tried but check out recall lists and keep the dog off things like soy..gluten. corn meal..he may have digestive troubles also..Try wellness, Innova something along those lines if you haven’t