Gun Dog Forum

I've started to notice my 3yr old GSP is losing weight. I'm seeing more bone structure than normal. I haven't changed food or feeding amount. I am thinking it could possibly be tape worm from possibly eating a rodent (field mice) here in southern AZ.

What other things could it be?

I was going to feed him 3x a day now rather than 2x to hopefully gain some weight.

Perhaps best to weigh the dog rather than just make a determination by sight.

And the second choice would be to check for worms and 3rd choice is feed a little more.

When I feed 30/20 food all I get by increasing the food is loose stool. So where do you go from there.............Cj

cjhills wrote:When I feed 30/20 food all I get by increasing the food is loose stool. So where do you go from there.............Cj

Change to a feed that is a little lower in protein if you are allowing a week for the dog to get used to the increase in feed.

Is the only way to test for worms from a vet?...

jahwarrior1423 wrote:Is the only way to test for worms from a vet?...

should be able to see tape worms in the stool, but the other kinds of worms would require a fecal float.

I'll be looking at his stools today.

jahwarrior1423 wrote:I'll be looking at his stools today.

look for little white sections, tape worms sort of de-segment.

sometimes pieces stick around the anus.

jahwarrior1423 wrote:I'll be looking at his stools today.

A fecal float is cheap and checks for all kinds of worms possible.

Sharon wrote:

jahwarrior1423 wrote:I'll be looking at his stools today.

A fecal float is cheap and checks for all kinds of worms possible.

+1 Just go get it done instead of all the guess work. If it's not worms then there could be another medical problem. Be safe, see your vet.

ezzy333 wrote:

cjhills wrote:When I feed 30/20 food all I get by increasing the food is loose stool. So where do you go from there.............Cj

Change to a feed that is a little lower in protein if you are allowing a week for the dog to get used to the increase in feed.

Most foods with lower protein are also lower in fat, so it kind of defeats the purpose......Cj

cjhills wrote:

ezzy333 wrote:

cjhills wrote:When I feed 30/20 food all I get by increasing the food is loose stool. So where do you go from there.............Cj

Change to a feed that is a little lower in protein if you are allowing a week for the dog to get used to the increase in feed.

Most foods with lower protein are also lower in fat, so it kind of defeats the purpose......Cj

And that is why I use Flaxseed Oil on the feed if needed.

If the dog is losing only body fat, I'd increase the calories but keep a close eye on him. If he's losing muscle, I'd get him to the vet PDQ for a blood panel and thorough exam. Unexplained loss of body mass can be a serious warning sign.

There are human grade products that you can add to your current food and they can pack on weight.... Good weight. K9 Superfuel (as well as others) added to their water after they run has always helped my hard keepers. It works better than just increasing the amount of food.

I would still test for worms if its been awhile since last tested.

shags wrote:If the dog is losing only body fat, I'd increase the calories but keep a close eye on him. If he's losing muscle, I'd get him to the vet PDQ for a blood panel and thorough exam. Unexplained loss of body mass can be a serious warning sign.

This is the right thing to do unexplained weight loss is rarely worms on a three year old dog

I got a stool sample tested by a local vet and it came back negative.

Up the food and if no improvement in 2 weeks? I'd be going back to the vet for further tests

Blood test/panel