So, in late winter this year I started the dogs on raw. I did TONS of research, calculations - hardest part was knowing how much to feed them. But I started and I did like the resulting smaller poops and emotional satisfaction that I was doing right by my dogs. But it seems they began to become less energetic, Boone especially. At first, I put it down to Winter doldrums and hoped it would improve over the Spring. There was some improvement but this year at Lure Coursing, Boone was slower ... and slower ... the last few weeks, he just hasn't bothered running the whole course, stopping a third to half way. He's eating/drinking fine, no other signs of illness other than a bout of diarrhea during the very long hot spell we had earlier this summer.
I don't know what's wrong, is he in pain or is something else going on? Was I all wrong on the raw food and he's lacking nutrients? I return to kibble, but no improvement - so I finally take him to the vet. Vet takes blood for a full blood panel, then starts a physical exam - no problems in throat, eyes, front chest area. Stand Boone up, start checking his tummy ... Vet says "oh, he's a little plump, isn't he".
Penny drops, BIG time! Yup, I made my dog fat! He's about 23 lbs larger than he was three years ago. That's about 40% of his 'ideal' weight - poor munchkin, no wonder he didn't want to run so much!
How did I not notice, you ask? Two reasons - main one being that BF's dog Tara is a Rottweiler, and she's WAY overweight - beside her, Boone looks barely fed. Second reason - I knew he'd put on some weight, but thought it was because he was past the puppy stage, and who doesn't fill out a bit in maturity?
All of Boone's blood tests came back normal, except kidney was one point above normal. Vet recommends another blood panel in 8 months.
In the meantime, both Boone and Tara are on reduced rations, and BF is really on-board - I've been telling him for years that Tara was overweight, but he operates on the food=love policy, and didn't really take me seriously. But at least he's clued in now.
Turns out that a few people at lure coursing thought Boone was too heavy, but too polite to tell me. However, they did give me a handy test - to run my fingers along the dog's spine; if I can feel bumps, he's ok, if not, he's carrying too much weight.
So, that's $300 to find out my dog is fat. :bashself:
I don't know what's wrong, is he in pain or is something else going on? Was I all wrong on the raw food and he's lacking nutrients? I return to kibble, but no improvement - so I finally take him to the vet. Vet takes blood for a full blood panel, then starts a physical exam - no problems in throat, eyes, front chest area. Stand Boone up, start checking his tummy ... Vet says "oh, he's a little plump, isn't he".
Penny drops, BIG time! Yup, I made my dog fat! He's about 23 lbs larger than he was three years ago. That's about 40% of his 'ideal' weight - poor munchkin, no wonder he didn't want to run so much!
How did I not notice, you ask? Two reasons - main one being that BF's dog Tara is a Rottweiler, and she's WAY overweight - beside her, Boone looks barely fed. Second reason - I knew he'd put on some weight, but thought it was because he was past the puppy stage, and who doesn't fill out a bit in maturity?
All of Boone's blood tests came back normal, except kidney was one point above normal. Vet recommends another blood panel in 8 months.
In the meantime, both Boone and Tara are on reduced rations, and BF is really on-board - I've been telling him for years that Tara was overweight, but he operates on the food=love policy, and didn't really take me seriously. But at least he's clued in now.
Turns out that a few people at lure coursing thought Boone was too heavy, but too polite to tell me. However, they did give me a handy test - to run my fingers along the dog's spine; if I can feel bumps, he's ok, if not, he's carrying too much weight.
So, that's $300 to find out my dog is fat.
:bashself:
