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12-08-2008, 10:27 AM | #1 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hewlett, New York
Posts: 129
| Please help with overweight six year old yorkie girl My yorkie has been getter chubbier and chubbier over the years and nothing seems to help. We have cut out all treats and yet she still does not lose any weight. She was on a prescription weight loss dry food which didn't seem to do much either, made by hills called RD. My vet has now told her to give her a weight reduction drug called Slentrol.. which made me nervous but I thought that the effects of her being overweight would become a huge health issue. So far the medicine has not helped one ounce. My vet is telling me that I have to give it more than two months so that they can get the correct dosage for her but I became too fearful of the damage it might cause and it seemed to make her even more tired. I know her problem is more of lack of exercise (like her mom) but I cannot force her to walk on a leash. She will normally walk for a minute, at best, and then lie on the street and wait to be picked up. I am sure it is a combination of being "the princess", problems with her hips and knees (which we were told not to do surgery at this point) and being overweight. I try to run her around the house but she would rather lie down and sleep. She was always a couch potatoe type, but she seems to be getting worse. Not that she doesn't love going on errands with me but than again who wouldn't, she is carried all over, has people giving her tons of attention, or is riding in a cart, shopping. I have tried to take her off of all vet food and med and began feeding her boiled chicken and some vegetables either canned (no salt) or fresh. Still after a month she has not lost an ounce. I also am concerned about her not getting the vitamins and nutrients she will be missing from a dog food.. I have been giving her a vitamin supplement called Earth Animal by Dr. Bob Goldstein that my sister had recommended and purchased at a health food store but seems not to be boosting her energy level, either. Someone PLEASE help. She weighs about ten pounds and has been as low as 7 1/2 and should be 8 to 8 1/2 at most. If anyone has any ideas for a natural and very good weight reduction dog food and/or any other advice I would appreciate it. Anything that could enable her to lose weight, is healthy, and will boost her energy would be great. Thanks for all of your help. |
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12-08-2008, 10:34 AM | #2 |
YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Kenvil, NJ, USA
Posts: 363
| Not funny but I know how she feels, I think she should be mine. At first I thought someone wrote your post about me. LOL. I am 50 and have been fighting a weight problem for "um" 50 years. |
12-08-2008, 10:36 AM | #3 |
YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Kenvil, NJ, USA
Posts: 363
| I forgot to mention Hopefully someone has some good advice for you. |
12-08-2008, 11:25 AM | #4 |
BANNED! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: South Carolina
Posts: 2,376
| My oldest yorkie is almost 6(in January), I was told she would be 4 lbs, and she is now, 13.7 lbs. I don't worry about her, she's healthy other than her weight, and the most loveable little thing. I free feed, she picks at food off and on all day, they don't get any of "our" food, and one small treat in the morning is it. You have to remember, they used to breed these dogs a lot bigger, and there are throw backs. As long as she seems healthy, I wouldn't be too concerned |
12-08-2008, 11:35 AM | #5 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member | Our Krissy got sick in August and they never figured out the problem but her weight has ballooned to 17 lbs from less than 9. The vet said she is healthy and they do not want to do anything about it as long as she is healthy otherwise. She gets exercise by running up and down stairs for treats as she will no longer take walks either. We throw a treat down the stairs and when she goes down and gets it we call her for another one. The treat consists of one piece of dog food. We do this 10 to 15 times a day to keep her heart healthy.
__________________ Mandy & Krissy & Teddy & Chelsey & Kayla Non-Yorkie: Rusty & Biewers: Darla & Spanky The Little Rascals |
12-08-2008, 12:05 PM | #6 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hewlett, New York
Posts: 129
| I have to say I laughed out loud after reading some of your responses, although it really isn't a funny situation. I wouldnt be concerned if it wasn't going to cause health issue in later years, but she has a lot of them already. Reese will NOT climb stairs either, LOL, I forgot to mention that. She never did. The only steps she will climb (and only if forced) would be the two steps from our garage to our kitchen. The more I think about her situation the more I realize that it is probably due to everyone in my family "spoiling" her. I mean why does she have to do anything if we do it for her. I used to get annoyed when my vet or others told me that, but I now believe it to be the case. I could never free feed Reese. It would be gone. We seriously believe that if I left a fifty pound bag of food out, she would eat it until she started vomiting. There would be no stopping her. Reese is a FOOD ADDICT. I honestly believe that she doesn't think about anything else but food. The only thing she will not ask for is chocolate which is pretty funny, either she knows that she was never allowed near it and cant eat it or just doesn't like the smell.. which I doubt is the case. She even has me trained that when I am on the phone she barks like crazy.. similarly to when my daughters were all young. They knew if I was on the phone and needed them to be quiet they tugged at me and asked for things (usually that they shouldn't have) which I would promptly get them. Now as soon as the phone rings, Reese is in Heavan.. she barks and barks until I go into the kitchen to get her a treat, even if it was one kibble. This has now stopped. I ignore her or walk out of the room and hope that she doesn't follow or gets sidetracked. I again desperately need the name of a healthy and low fat dry food and any information on the weight loss drug.. I do have a call into my vet but have a feeling he will try to persuade me to put her back on it. Any advice would once again be appreciated. |
12-11-2008, 07:35 AM | #7 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| Since she is so tired and diets aren't working, I would guess that she has an underlying health issue going on. Has her thyroid been checked?
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
12-11-2008, 07:54 AM | #8 | |
YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Delaware
Posts: 2,515
| Quote:
that is EXACTLY what i was just going to post! good call Ellie May!!!!
__________________ Mom to Fiona Marie | |
12-11-2008, 08:08 AM | #9 |
Currently Suspended! Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA
Posts: 75
| 1. Measure her food. 2. Weigh her weekly. 3. Post her weekly weigh-ins on the refrigerator to keep everyone on track. If she's maintaining her weight after a week on what she's being fed, decrease the amount by 1 Tablespoon. If she's overweight, she's not going to feel like exercising, especially if she has joint problems. The excess weight is terrible for her joints. Has your vet checked her thyroid? |
12-11-2008, 08:40 AM | #10 | |
I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member | Quote:
After a trick training class, Joey put on too much weight, this is a serious issue, and can cause serious joint problems, as well as other illnesses, including diabetes. Some dogs, like people, have a slower metabolism, and just can't eat as much as others, coupled with the fact that once you gain weight it isn't as much fun to move around, the weight continues to increase. Also, some dogs, like people, don't have a good appetite control, and always seem to be hungry. Joey's problem was just too much food, and here's what the vet suggested. Cut the meals by 1/3 – ½ and add green beans. We used regular dog food, with about 6 of the frozen green beans (warmed) ;there is no added salt like the canned variety. The green beans make them feel full, without adding many calories. I chop them up in small pieces. Get a scale and weigh at least once a week to check your progress. Teach her to play fetch and work for her food. I use all of Joeys breakfast for training and half the evening meal. Get a small ball or toy, throw it and have her retrieve it for you, reward her with a piece of food. At first, she might not want to do this and you won't be able to throw it very far, but if she's hungry enough she'll do it. If she won't budge, take the food and try in another 5 minutes. Gradually throw it farther and farther. There are many sites on training if you need more help with this part, but it's important that you get her moving. The only treats you give her should be her regular food, and or green beans, they don't raise the blood sugar like carrots do, and so they are a good snack food. Snacking can ruin the program so limit this, and reduce the meal amount if too many snacks are given. Some dogs do better eating move frequent small meals. Joey lost a pound on this program, about an ounce a week, I think an ounce a week is a good number to go for, like people, if they lose weight too fast they lose muscle, not just fat. Joey's at a healthy weigh now, and we have continued with the program. He does get bully sticks, which at least gives him something to do when he's hungry.
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