Large weight gain after neuter? Hello all, I realize that after a neuter/spay and the loss of hormone that is associated with those procedures pups can experience weight gain, but Finnigan has gained over 2 lbs in 2 1/2 mos. He was ~ 7lbs at the time of his neuter in August and this week is 9.4lbs. He had the normal physical work-up and blood work before his neuter and all was well. We finally got him into the vet this week, because of our concerns. I had the vet do a full panel of blood work, but we've not heard anything about the results yet. I hope that's a good thing. I think I just get overly worried, but Finnigan has always been our small little guy. We did wait until Finnigan was older for the neuter and wonder if maybe that plays a part in it. While at the vet we calculated up his dietary needs and we're feeding him the proper amount of kcal in order for him to lose the weight. We do have a exercise routine in place as well. The vet did say the weight has to come off very slowly to be healthy (~0.1lbs each week), but we've had him on a restrictive diet for 3 weeks now. I think I'm just trying to rush results. Anyone else have their pup gain such a significant amount of weight after neuter? |
Wow, that's a significant amount. It doesn't take much overfeeding to put on weight, some people are very careful with the food, but overdo the snacks, make sure all treats are healthy; something like green beans works well. How old was Finnigan when you neutered him? I know some breeders say that it's hard to keep weight on the unneutered males, they have so much excitement energy from being around the girls in heat; did Finnigan experience that? |
Finnigan was 5. Luckily he was only ever around a female in heat once. We had Gwenni spayed. He did take a long time to put weight on. Was only 4lbs until he was 3. We finally thought he looked a healthy weight at 3, 4 & 5 when he was finally at 5lbs, 6lbs, etc... It just took so long for him to finally get extra weight on him, so we were really concerned at this weight gain in a couple months. Gwenndilyn was over weight last year, so we've had a strict diet in place for over a year now with both dogs. They get 1/4 cup of dry EVO each day and 1 1/2 tablespoons of TOTW wet food. Also, carrots and fish oil caps as treats through the day. Gwenni has lost her extra "chub" as we called it and is back at a healthy weight, but Finni has been steadily gaining. |
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My only other suggestion is to have the full or expanded Thyroid profile done, the thyroid results that come back from regular blood workwork just are not definitive enough to rule out any thyroid problems. A good evaluatory lab is Home. Also do not feed evening meal late and walk him after meal - or have a play session etc. Underwater treadmill work is great, or even a ppl treadmill is good stuff. Come December we have an indoor doggy swimming pool I will take the pups to at least once per week. When I need to put on weight on my males - I feed a good portion 2/3 of the daily allotment of food in the evening after their last walk. I also will bump up Razzles' food allotment by 1/4 c. Usually I need to do this all summer as the boys are most active then. Another trick is to measure their treats =ie in 1/8 cup size container - that way you do know how much extra they are getting. |
I found one source that says there are about 20 calories per fish oil cap, so Finni should be getting 10 cal per day if he has only half (We use the same caps :)). Max was neutered at 6 months and maintained a perfect weight until last year. He has been steadily gaining weight for the past year. He turns 4 this month. I expressed my concerns to our vet at last month's annual checkup and our vet agrees that we need to get on top of this before it gets out of hand. We had not changed his diet or activity in a way that would account for the weight gain. Blood tests are normal. Our vet said his metabolism is already slowing because of age. I didn't think that would happen for a few more years, but we are decreasing the amount of kibble he gets. He has taken off 3 ounces already. I do think neutering effects metabolism in the ways Nancy explained. |
How much food should a 12 week old puppy get? I read the back of the bags and they are confusing. I know when they are puppies they need a little more food until they are a year old but am stumped as to how much to give her now. Have never had a small do like her and want to do everything right. She weights a little over 3 pounds now. |
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Many times dogs or cats will gain weight after a spay or neuter but more than likely would have happened anyway. It is likely that either he is still not getting enough exercise or he could have an imbalance that has not been detected yet. Maybe get some further tests done if he does not show some improvement in the next month. If it is not something related to his health then he needs more exercise. Gracie gained some weight last winter. I started giving her two or three long walks a day and she lost the weight pretty quickly. |
Tufty is getting spayed this week, I actually hope he gains a bit of weight after, he's as tall as Teegy but he's not as robust even though he's very muscular |
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