I have a male boxer who is 68lbs. We rescued him from a shelter and I didn't notice it then, but now (a few weeks later) I notice that he looks skinny. Like I can see his back bones. Now we had to take him to the vet right after we got him and he had an ok check, got a good bill of health so I wonder if he is loosing weight. I am feeding him good dog food (our friend works in feed and recommended it) and I just started feeding him 3cups instead of 2 cups a day. Is there anything else I should be doing, or is this normal? He is a very large dog so maybe his bones just stick out, I don't know it just seems odd to me.
Thanks
Answers:
Did their evaluation include an EKG? It should be done at least every 6-12 months on EVERY dog of the boxer breed, especially those who appear to be losing muscle mass in their backs. (When that is really pronounced, it's called cardiac cachexia.)
Boxers are known for a specific type of heart disease called (coincidentally)..Boxer Cardiomyopathy. It's so common in them that it was named for them. Unfortunately, the first symptom seen by owners is often sudden death..waking up and finding that they have inexplicably died during the night. (It is NOT the same as a 'heart attack' however.)
If irregular beats called VPC's/PVC's (ventricular premature contractions) are seen on 5-minute EKG reading, he almost certainly has it and needs immediate medication. Lack of them doesn't rule it out, however. (If still suspected, a cardiac ultrasound would need to be done.)
I'm not trying to frighten you, but you should inquire about it. If your DVM doesn't have EKG capability, please ask for a referral. If caught early enough, many respond very well to a human medication (sotalol) plus special nutritional supplements. One of my own Doberman rescues had that breed's version of the same thing, and lived for 21 months after I diagnosed him. (Average is only 6-9 months.)
Also..if you're unfamiliar with boxers, you should be aware that their nickname is "tumor hounds"..because they are so exceptionally prone to cancer of various types. When they get benign growths, they have a much higher rate of turning malignant. So..watch out diligently for any irregularities, and make sure he's neutered to help prevent many of those types of cancer. If he hasn't had a full blood chemistry profile, CBC, thyroid test, and urinalysis, I'd recommend that, too. (Every 6-12 months, just like the EKG.)
I'm assuming he's been tested for heartworms, Lyme disease, and erlichiosis (it's a combination test, run right in the office) more than once, along with all the intestinal parasites? You didn't mention *which* food you're feeding, but you should know that many that come from feed stores are not as nutritious as they would have you believe. Many of them downright suck.
If ALL of the above was not discussed at your first visit, it should have been. I would recommend that you either go back (if you like and feel comfortable with your DVM), or seek a second opinion.
Good luck! :-)
Most boxers that I've seen have bones that stick out. I think it may just be their muscular build.
YOU DIDN'T MENTION HIS AGE?? MAYBE HE'S HAVING A GROWTH SPURT. MY MALAMUTE/WOLF X IS PRETTY THIN, BUT HE WON'T REACH HIS FULL WEIGHT UNTIL HE'S ABOUT 5 IN 2 MORE YEARS.
i have a male boxer too, if we give him cheap dog food he loses weight, we have to go with the expensive food, just to keep him healthy looking. And plus we usually give him a lil bit of table scraps too. Nice lil treat for him. He only weighs 55lbs.
Most boxers get about 75 pounds. Feed him large breed dog food. Nutro max is the best. Iams and science diet have sold out to the big companies such as Proctor and Gamble. Which have turned then in to you high dollar Dog Chow.
If you dog too is very energetic that will also keep in lean.
Absolutely call the shelter you adopted him from and ask them. If they will not help you, ask your vet.
You should be able to see some of the backbone and faintly the ribs, but not sticking out. Boxers tend to have muscular front quarters and slimmer hind quarters.
If the shelter is a good one, they will assist you and have a look/recommend dietary changes.
A lot of animals lose weight with the stress of dislocation and a new home.
You might try feeding him free choice - fill the dish, and keep it filled and he eats as much as he wants.
Add some fat to his diet. Fish oil, corn oil meat fat scraps (but cook those in the microwave first
You may want to take himback to the vet. Sticking out backbones is NOT normal or good. Believe it or not, animals get ulcers and colitis from stress.. He has been stressed with the first landing in rescue and now a new home.
It could be the 'kind' of food you're giving him. Not saying that your friend recommended you a 'bad' food !!.. but with some dogs, what's 'good', may not be what's "right". Try a different kind of food with a higher protien count in it.
Boxers are normally a slender breed. You could try feeding him billjac dogfood. It is dense in calories and helps them put on weight easily.
Did the vet check him for worms? That would be my first thought.
we have shar-peis which are similar to boxers size/body/weight wise.
we feed them decent dog food (no corn,white rice, etc) they are healthy and keep their weight steady. (70lbs each)
most dog foods including iams,nutro-max, etc use alot of cheap fillers like: corn, white rice, animal digest which cut down on good nutrients and make them dump alot more. if you are cleaning up after him often, then the food is the cheap stuff which in the long run you buy more. the dog food we get is petsmart's authority brand "harvest baked" its like $29.99 for a 35lb bag. also if your dog is fairly active he will eat more than a lazy dog. look at the food label and feed him accordingly if he still seems hungry give him a little more.
If you are just now realizing that he seems skinnier than usual he is probably just growing and you need to feed him more food,especially in colder weather. A really good food to gain weight on is Diamond. Most of their food has the number one ingredient of either beef or chicken, opposed to most dog foods the number one ingredient is corn. Also most of their food is 20% fat and 10-15% protein. This should thicken him up. He may also have some parasite(worms) I would check the last time he was wormed and go from there as well. If no improvment I would probably see a Vet. If he seems like a otherwise healthy dog I would just try the things suggested first.
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