my pug lost alot of weight how can i help her gain weight?

Question

she had surgery in june for a dog bite and she was 16 pounds now 10 she looks like skin and bone i took her back vet because she has not gained weight and he said nothing wrong was on iv for 2 days and cleaned anal glane she is 4 years old and otherwise heathy but the weight loss is taking it's toll

Answer 1

PUGS LIKE BACON. Bacon increases body fat. more body fat=more weight. Feed her bacon. You know it's what she really wants.

Answer 2

You didn't say where your dog was bitten, and that could be important. If your dog was bitten on his stomach, neck, jaw, or throat region, I'd highly suggest you get it seen by another vet quickly as perhaps scar tissue from the bite or wound trauma/swelling has developed that's in some way constricting your pet's ability to adequate chew, swallow or digest foot.

Next, I'd also have it checked for all internal parasites and get it dewormed, even if they don't find anything as those tests can sometimes be inconclusive.

Depending on the trauma level your pet endured during the dog bite, there is a very high potential that it is in post traumatic shock and burning a lot more nervous energy & calories after the attack. Is it showing any signs of anxiety or fearfulness? Animals go through emotions, too, and perhaps a bit of depression and shock/trauma would also make her lose weight. Check with your vet for possible medications to give it that may help.

Has your dog been vomiting or having diarrhea since the attack? Again, these would all be reasons why your pet would be losing weight and becoming unhealthy and should be checked by a competent vet immediately, especially given her smaller size because even a few pounds lost could have serious health consequences. I would seriously monitor all of your pet's drinking and eating habits to look for signs of difficulty chewing or swallowing...and make sure they can deficate and urinate properly, too.

Is it possible your dog might have swallowed something (chewed up any weird objects, clothing, plastic, metal, wood, rocks or toys lately?) that would also cause them to be unable to properly digest food and lead to eventual death if the object is not able to pass naturally out of its system. X-rays can detect some objects and physical exam and history would also help in determining possible obstructions. Again, get your pet back to a competent vet.

If your vet put your pet on IV fluids for two days, as you say, then that speaks of dehydration; is your pet drinking adequately and taking in enough fluids during the day? Again, if there is an injury to the neck, throat, tongue, jaw, chest areas during the bite/attack, there could be excessive scar tissue blocking your pet's ability to swallow and intake proper amounts of water. You might want to see if it will drink some Pedialyte (like you give to kids with diarrhea) that has electrolytes in it for dehydration and get it to a vet pronto.

Do you see the common factor here? Get your pet to another vet and don't let them brush you off or just tell you "everything's all right" if you know it isn't. Good luck!!

Answer 3

How skinny is she...dogs shouldn't look like a barrel. If you can see a clear waistline on her and not see her ribs easily, she's not too thin. If you're really concerned, take her for a 2nd opinion at another vet. DON'T feed her human food without talking to a vet about it...much of what we eat can make her very sick. Check with a vet first to make sure it's ok for her...you could try a high calorie dog food or supplement, or feeding her a little more of her normal food.

Answer 4

There is a product specifically for debilitated dogs called LIXOTINIC. I believe it is made by Lambert Kay Company. It increases the iron levels and boosts energy which in turn increases appetite.
I did rescue work and dealt with hundreds of underweight and emaciated dogs. Lixotinic always helped. I often would give the dogs KEN L BISKIT which is a Ken L Ration product that tends to quickly put weight on dogs when added to their regular diet.
I hope this helps. Good Luck.

Answer 5

Why can't you take him on walks? I'm in Wisconsin, and it's winter here too and my dog gets at least one walk a day. Go to a store and by Innova Weight Control Formula. Feed him 1/4 a cup, twice a day. WALK HIM. He'll lose weight and he'll get healthy because he'll be on a good food.

Answer 6

I'd get a second opinion, she should be well over the surgery. Make sure you are not still "babying" her due to the trauma. Rice/chicken/sour cream are all good foods to put on weight on dogs.

Answer 7

ask your vet about any dog food that will help her gain weight. if your vet says there is nothing wrong with her, get a second opinion

Answer 8

I'm with Dolphin on this one. If you have any doubts, by all means get a second opinion. You DO love your dog, right?

Answer 9

Try feeding her canned food and add some cooked white rice to it. You have to be careful not to give her too much rice or she will become constipated.

Answer 10

You can feed her some good old human food. It should fatten her up, but then she will probably not want to go back to eating dog food.