Help with weight gain and allergies

I have a good friend with a beautiful german shepherd dog. But, the poor guy has terrible allergies, and looks emaciated. The vet (of course!) has them fooled into thinking this poor dog needs to be on Science Diet z/d.

They have had the dog on this for a long time, and no improvement. I just talked with her today, and told her that z/d is not likely helping at all. She wants to learn more about helping him gain some weight and manage his allergies. Unfortunately, she is not too keen on doing a raw diet for him, so I need some help with ideas that do not involve raw.

I was thinking the Natural Balance LID or Wellness, but I would really appreciate any other advice.

Not a request you hear much around a Pug forum - WEIGHT GAIN!!! I don't have any advice, hopefully the others will chime in.

Since we switched over to grain free (we use Go Natural) and Omega's we have barely and itching and Wellies ears have cleared right up.

When Kimchi was a mere 12 pounds I was feeding her 1/3 MORE food at each meal than I was feeding Thurston (at 19 pounds). She put on weight but not very quickly. Someone here (I don't remember who) suggested adding colostrum to her food and that seemed to do the trick very quickly.

I would also try feeding your friend's dog a canned version of a grain free food. Instinct canned come in several varieties and you can avoid beef and chicken by choosing venison, rabbit, duck and lamb.

Prozyme has been a miracle worker for the rescue dogs I've helped and also when I brought Clara home. She was severely emaciated(13 pounds at 8 months and she's an American bulldog/amstaff mix))and had chemical burns all over her body from being in the waters after Katrina and Rita. I only used 1/4 tsp(powder) on her food for every meal. It helps with gaining weight,allergies,coat,etc. Here's a link http://www.prozymeproducts.com/ I would have your friend go with the lactose free formula.

Trish

Not Afraid wrote:When Kimchi was a mere 12 pounds I was feeding her 1/3 MORE food at each meal than I was feeding Thurston (at 19 pounds). She put on weight but not very quickly. Someone here (I don't remember who) suggested adding colostrum to her food and that seemed to do the trick very quickly.

I would also try feeding your friend's dog a canned version of a grain free food. Instinct canned come in several varieties and you can avoid beef and chicken by choosing venison, rabbit, duck and lamb.

Ditto on the Instinct Canned. Good food with a range of proteins. And Lisa, I remember that post and there is a supplement that you can add for weight gain and I can't find it to save my life......

Renee--I'm assuming they've eliminated things like Cushings, Addisons and thyroid issues?

http://www.labelleinc.com/adog.asp

Here's a link for a colostrum supplement.

Miss Pit wrote:Prozyme has been a miracle worker for the rescue dogs I've helped and also when I brought Clara home. She was severely emaciated(13 pounds at 8 months and she's an American bulldog/amstaff mix))and had chemical burns all over her body from being in the waters after Katrina and Rita. I only used 1/4 tsp(powder) on her food for every meal. It helps with gaining weight,allergies,coat,etc. Here's a link http://www.prozymeproducts.com/ I would have your friend go with the lactose free formula.

Trish

If they do decide to try the Prozyme, tell them to get the lactose free one. If this dog already has allergy issues, then you don't want to add dairy to the mix.

Thanks everyone! You are a wealth of knowledge. I will pass this info on and see what we come up with.

Blanche - I can't say for certain she has ruled out the thyroid, cushings or addisons...but, I would assume so, since this problem has been going on quite some time (years), and he goes to the vet regularly. I'll check with her for sure. She may need to see another vet for a second opinion.

She may also want to ask about PLE--Protein Losing Enteropathy--there are several forms of it and this could account for the issue. There's no cure, but it can be managed with diet and meds, depending on the form.