Time for Murphy to go on a diet - Page 1

I think I may end up taking Murphy back from the ex. I'm starting to feel sorry for the old boy. (He'll be 8 next Feb.) Had to give the ex some money today so he would finally take the dog to the vet. He's been scratching like crazy and has some funky looking thing growing between two of this front toes that has been bleeding on and off for weeks. Plus he needs to lose weight. Last he was weighed he tipped the scales at 112 lbs. Vet said he needed to drop at least 20 lbs and I wouldn't be surprised if he weighs more now. Murphy has mild HD and torn ligaments in both back legs so it can't be good for him to be carrying around those extra lbs. I have noticed lately that he is starting to drag his back feet when he walks. Any recommendations on a diet for this boy? The ex says he has been feeding him Iams with a can of Mighty Dog mixed in and gives him no treats. (Don't know if I believe the no treats thing.)

Cut the helpings in half!  More exercise too!  Princess took off 17 lbs. in a year.  Although I didn't even realize that she lost that much until we put her on the scale! 

The sores between her toes that bleed once in a while are IDC's.  We see them at work a lot in our beagles from having wet feet a lot.  The vet will aspirate them to get the infection out and them put the dog on antibiotics.  I didn't realize that GSD's got them though.  Well I guess any dog could if their feet were wet enough.  Not saying that that's what they are, but it sure does sound like it.

OMG that poor boy.  He's gotta be miserable lugging around all that weight.

I agree, cut the helpings in half and use green beans or something to act as a filler.

i agree with take the dog back from the ex.

"I have noticed lately that he is starting to drag his back feet when he walks."

Not to be an alarmist and given the dog's excess weight and structural issues there could well be another cause, but foot-dragging is one of the early signs of Degenerative Myelopathy and should definitely be mentioned to the vet.

I put Yette on this diet and she lost about 10#'s in 3 months. It is called the Puffed wheat/rice diet. Low in calories and suppose to make them feel full longer. Feeding twice a day ....one cup Puffed cereal and 2/3 cups of their regular food. I fed RAW so had to adjust. The cereal is in the cereal isle at Walmart and possibly other grocery stores too. It was popular when I was a kid, 100 years ago.

Yeah, I used to eat those puffed cereals about 100 years ago, too. Good idea to use as a filler in Murphy's food. The ex just called with the verdict from the vet. Murphy didn't weigh as much as I thought--only 111 lbs. I thought for sure he had gained some weight. Trigger is going in this afternoon and the ex is betting he will weigh more. I doubt it. Trigger is about an inch taller and has heavier bones but is missing the big pot belly like Murphy. I am guessing Trigger will weigh about 10 lbs less. Guess I'll find out. Anyway, SW was right about the funky thing between the toes so Murphy was given some antibiotics, got all his shots, some frontline for the scratching and told to lose weight. The ex forgot to mention the foot dragging so will have to ask on the next visit. Cost me $160 but couldn't stand to see the dog's heath issues being neglected. Now I will have to work on getting Murphy back full time.

p59 could be right -- it could be the beginning of degenerative myelopathy.  He may only have a year or two of decent life left, so don't delay.  But if he is going to go down, don't make him suffer the whole time starving -- I'd cut his rations less drastically, by 1/3 perhaps, and very gently increase the exercise.  Can he swim?  If so, now is the time!

It could be myelopathy, but first thing would be to get those excess lbs off.  Just think of the strain that is putting on dysplastic hips, not to mention heart, lungs, and all his other systems.  Increase his exercise very gradually and switch to a higher protein, higher fiber,  lower carb food. I don't know if swimming might be too strenuous, you would have to watch him and see how he does.  Even the passive resistance of wading might be helpful at this point.  MVF is right you should not have to starve him.  BTW, my whole crew loves green beans so much I use them for training treats.

I already have a follow up appointment sceduled with the vet for Murphy so will talk to her about the foot dragging. I just noticed it recently and figured it wasn't a good thing. I also need to be careful with the exercise as Murphy's back end is a bit shakey at times. There are some days it will take him more than one attempt just to get up on the couch. A few months ago Trigger jumped up (wanting to play) and landed with his front legs across Murphy's back. Murphy yelped (rare for him) and went down. He couldn't or at least wouldn't get up for a good half hour. I thought he was history then but when I was on the phone trying to get some help he got up on his own and seemed okay. Sadly I don't think Murphy will make it to a ripe old age but hope losing some weight will help.

On a happier note Trigger got an almost perfect report card at the vet today. No health issues with him but the vet thought he could lose a few lbs also. (His weight was 105.8 lbs.) With bloodtests, vaccinations and Frontline the bill for Trigger was $130. Cha-ching! Almost $300 today just for routine maintenance on 2 dogs.  How can anyone afford a kennel full ???