emaciated dog?

Question

I've recently given a home to a young GSD. For whatever reason, her previous owners had seriously underfed her, with the result that she is extremely underweight and was a pitiful sight. My vet assures me that she has no underlying medical problems that contribute to her condition, and together we have devised a diet to provide the maximum nutrition and weight gain that her digestive system can cope with. The diet is working well, for a 14 month old pup, she is doing the growing in all directions that should have happened months ago, her coat has become lustrous and “oily”, she's active, her stamina increases daily but she still looks like a walking skeleton. So my question is, how long does it take for an emaciated dog to start putting some “fat on the bones”.

Thanks all of you who have replied. To clarify things I have only had this dog for three weeks and her weight at that time was 44 lbs, probably about 20 lbs below the ideal weight for her age and breed. In the short time I've had her she has put on a few pounds and looks considerably healthier. She is fed raw, mainly chicken wings, minced beef, lamb, rabbit and some offal and fish. With the vets recommendation, I feed her the amount that would be fed to a 60 lb dog which she eats ravenously and I have to be careful as she does try to steal my other dogs food. I cannot imagine a circumstance where I would feed her ANY commercial pet food. Also, I am not looking to get a “fat” dog as one person has suggested.

She has been wormed, but no blood or faeces test have been performed as they were not believed to be necessary. She is active and plays enthusiastically with my other German Shepherd (and other dogs), but she does sleep a good proportion of the day. All quite normal I think.

In spite of her condition she has just come into season. (The vet won't spey her yet because of her condition).

Surprisingly her previous owners had taken the time to give her some training and she is well socialised, I believe she was loved and wanted, and I don't know how they allowed her to get into such a condition, possibly ignorance and bad advice.

I know it will take time to get her up to a decent weight, I just feel bad when I take her out, as she is so thin, I worry other people think that it's me that has abused or neglected her.

Answer 1

It can take quit sometime even months!! Just think she did not get that way over night and it will take the same time to get her back. She lost so much weight that her body was eating itsself (easiest way to describe) So now her body has to re build and then she will start gaining again. Give her time she will be okay!!

Good luck

You know you can always tell people her story!! Maybe in telling her story and how you came to get her other people will see how mean people can be to animals!!You truly have aheart of gold for what you are doing and if I had more room in myhouse I would be doing the same thing! Good luck I am sure she will come around soon it will just take sometime!!

Answer 2

Is she a pacer? If so she is burning calories that she desperately needs? Put her is a small enclosure or carrying kennel for several hours each day if that's the case. I would suspect heart problems as many 'poor doers' have but surely your vet would have found this. And your vet has made sure she isn't harboring a microscopic parasite, correct? There are infrequent parasites that attack the small intestines, lungs and other organs. Some of these include coccidia, giardia, flukes, and capillaria. Its been too long since I've read up on the symptoms of these so can't be of much help there. Bring a stool sample and have him retest and possibly have your vet do bloodwork if she doesn't gain weight soon.

Answer 3

You didn't say how long you had her. Not all dogs can eat the same foods. My son fed his GSD Eukanuba.. He was a large dog but only weighed 70 lbs.
I took him for training for 3 months and fed him Purina ONE rice and lamb... which has more fat. He gained up to 75 lbs. Then My son picked him back up and put him on his previous diet and he lost weight back down to 68 lbs.. way too skinny... Changed his diet and now he is a good looking lean GSD at 74 lbs. Very active dog I might add.

Try changing the food she eats.. she may need more fat in the diet.. If you want to keep on the Vets reccommended dog food then feed her a couple of lbs of liver every week.

There will be a formula that will work for her..

Huggs to you... what a kind heart you have
GOOD LUCK

Answer 4

I'm blanking on what a GSD is, but any emaciated dog will take a while to recover. You don't want them to get instantly fat.

You will have to work with your vet, and ask your vet how long, if you're truly worried, but what's important is that you're moving in the right direction, the dog is getting better and stronger, and generally seems healthy.

Also, you don't say how long you've had her. If it's been weeks, you'll need much more time. Months - well, talk it over with your vet. But it could be anywhere from four months to a year.

And thank you for taking in an either abused or neglected dog!

Answer 5

It may take quite some time. Remember all her organs have to start to get healthy and start to function all perfectly for her. I don't know how long you have had her on her special diet or how long you have had her but I'd say with in 6 to 8 months she should start to beef up and make you feel more comfortable. It took 14 months for her to get into this horrible state so give her some time to recoupe. You probably have a vet rechek coming up soon if she is not gaining the weight you think is good enough then talk to your vet at that time OK.
Your a good person to be so willing to help this dog out. Kudos to you!

Answer 6

Wow,I tend to disagree with lots of the posters but then your definition of not being emaciated may mean you want to see her fat. I think with a good diet and enough food, (a higher fat content as in a puppy kibble with 27% protein) should have her looking more filled out within 4-6 weeks. Of course if she has suffered some developmental condition from her previous diet that may not change, but putting some fill out weight on her shouldln't take to long.

Answer 7

GSDs are not small dogs. It could take a while for her to be at her ideal weight. Just keep in mind how thin she was when you got her and how far she has come thus far. If she hasn't been used to eatting large amounts of food in the past, you don't want to overdo it and make her sick. Follow the diet your vet has provided you and let her weight come on gradually.

BTW, I think it's wonderful what you're doing for her!

Answer 8

Many GSDs are naturally thin until they are over 2 yrs old. As others have said, as long as she is fit & active I wouldn't worry too much. Far better for her to be underweight than overweight at this age. With her bad start she will take longer to mature than the average but it sounds as if she's fallen on her feet.

Answer 9

Upto 6months or more before she's at a good weight. Its good your vet has given her the all clear (Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency commonly causes malnourishment and weight loss in GSD's). Weight gain should be gradual and you need to ensure she doesn't become to podgy (hip dysplasia is common in fat GSD's). Keep in close contact with your vet he/she shouldn't charge for regular weighing and most practices have nurse's weight clinics. Take a before during and after picture so you can monitor her progress. If she been neglected she may also have emotional issues so watch out for those

Answer 10

Try adding a little vegetable or fish oil to each feed. It's a great way of getting extra calories into the diet without too much bulk.