Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2007 7:50 pm Post subject: Help - any advice please - I can now see Sam's ribs
I have posted before that Sam seemed a little underweight, but for the first time today I saw, not just felt, Sam's ribs.
He is 5 months old today and judging by paw size, vets comments and his Mum & Dad he looks like he might be a big boy. He is 19" tall to his shoulder and 20" from the base of his neck to the base of his tail. However he only weighs 13.75kg, having put on about 1kg in the last month. He is a very calm dog, but still has plenty of energy on walks and his coat is lovely and shiny, so he seems happy, although he does always seem hungry - which I know is a lab trait even though they might just have eaten!
The breeder fed him on Skinners which I changed to Burns Mini Bites. I contacted Burns when I thought Sam looked a bit thin and they advised changing to Canine Extra and feeding over the amount recommended for his weight. He currently has three meals per day, 100g per meal.
I phoned Burns again today and they suggested changing him gradually to High Energy Lamb, which I have ordered, and to see how this goes.
I have seen threads on here that some labradors can be small framed and perhaps Sam will turn out this way, but any advice in the interim would be greatly appreciated. He is such a lovely dog and I would hate to think that I am starving him.
____________ John, Laura, Ben, Jack & Sam
Sam´s Photos
Ruby is a skinny ribs too - when she looks a bit ribby I give her soem hgh calorie treats - rice pudding, grated cheese and cream cheese in a kong, marrow bones. Ruby is on burns too and I had her on the high energy one for a bit too - my trouble is Ruby wont eat
Personally I dont like Burns,Rolo was very thin and unhappy on this brand.The person at the helpline advised me to change brand eventually as we were having no luck at keeping weight on.
My OH changed his dog to burns after i told him about it..... Similar to Gill's experience above, it made his dog even thinner! He took him off the brand and changed him over to JWB... What a huge difference! He looks so healthy now!
Personally, i would change brand and see if this helps. Also, slowly increasing portions.
I am sorry, I should have mentioned he is fully up to date with his worming tablets. The vet saw him last week and said he seemed ok, but said Burns wasn't great and how about changing him to Hills Science Diet. Or if we didn't want to change brand then start giving him 4 meals a day of 100g per meal.
Had a long talk to OH after speaking to the vet and we decided that he had been slim for a while and as he seemed happy and was just growing upwards, not outwards, we would watch him for a week or so and then review things.
It was seeing his ribs today that has upset and worried me.
____________ John, Laura, Ben, Jack & Sam
Sam´s Photos
Just one thing - Burns is a great quality food but not all dogs seem to thrive on it. My Toby does - he loves it, but like anything it's not right for everyone!
Regarding what the vet said about Hills Science Diet...some vets are paid to endorse this brand...ho hum!
Try upping the Burns a little and if he doesn't do well with it maybe try something else.
also im not slating any foods but remember not all dogs are the same some dogs will thrive on burns/jwb/science/ some wont and vice versa on all dog foods..
if you feel he is not putting the weight on then change his food and see what happens or as others have said up his feed
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