water over food?

Lexxsmom · 06-23-2008, 03:32 PM

Hello all!

As some of you know, Lexx has never been a big food hog. Some days he'll dig right in, but others he's content to just completely ignore his dish all together ( being that he is fed raw, this means that he will completely ignore a bowl full of ground beef, chicken, whatever...)

since I don't like to stand for this behavior he loses the chance to eat after 15 minutes. He has actually gone for three days at a time without eating...

however, he is OBSESSED with water. To the point where it is actually irritating. Not only can i not fill his bowl to the top or he'll down the whole thing in one sitting, but he will try to drink standing water from anything and everything outside, rain off the ground etc...

I do not allow the water to be down during or immediately prior to meals

He is now 13 months and STILL only weighs around 70lbs on a good day, usually more around 67. I am concerned not because of his weight, but more that his weight hasn't CHANGED since he was 8 months old. It would seem that he probably should have grown in the last FIVE months no?

Is his obsession with water/non interest in food and lack of growth symptomatic of something? None of these are new symptoms, he's always hated food ( since birth..) and hasn't ever had a growth spurt...but I think I may take a stool sample to the vet just to be sure... any other thoughts?

**triciakoontz** · 06-23-2008, 03:36 PM

I would check thyroid function, pancreas function, etc. Just to make sure - his eating/drinking habits may be very normal for him.

**melbrod** · 06-23-2008, 03:54 PM

Drinking a lot and weight loss (failure to gain in a pup??), I think, can be a sign of diabetes, so pancreas function, for sure. Also thyroid. But if he's happy, healthy, energetic--he is probably just his own self.

**dobermansrule** · 06-23-2008, 04:12 PM

Leanne,

you are singing my tune - how refreshing to find someone with my problem! I mean, i am sorry - but I can sympathize. the water thing though is a little concerning - even with his picky eatingishnish, Quincy is just average with water. A high water demand in people usually indicates some medical cause - I would the same holds true for dogs. I agree with triciakoontz and melbrod. But i do understand the food/weight thing - I feel your pain.

Murreydobe · 06-23-2008, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dobiesrule

A high water demand in people usually indicates some medical cause - I would the same holds true for dogs.

I think a lot of the time dogs who drink a lot of water are doing it as a stress reliever. Not saying that's what's happening in this situation, but that's what I've seen over the years.

DLS · 06-23-2008, 04:34 PM

A lot of Dobe's with a low thyroid do drink a LOT of water. And not all Dobes with low thyroid are chubby some are too thin. Have you ever checked out his kidney function?

Lexxsmom · 06-23-2008, 05:03 PM

I was actually wondering about possible thyroid issues

He has had a whole blood panel done, late last year, but I think perhaps we need a thyroid check...

Its frustrating because everytime I ask anyone about his weight, they are either like " you need to stop worrying, he'll grow eventually" or "hes SO SMALLLLL" both of which make me feel bad...

His energy level is the same as always... the only difference lately is that he tires quickly in the heat, pants for a great deal of time, I'm wondering if the sudden heat has a direct correlation to the water issue

the only thing I forgot to mention about the water, is its normally only when he STARTS drinking that he won't stop. Or if he's out in the sun. At the same time, I can leave his water bowl out all day and he won't touch it...

I'm thinking maybe a journal of how much he drinks is a good plan...
thanks guys

DLS · 06-23-2008, 05:32 PM

Thyroid dogs also have a problem with their 'internal thermometor', they chill easy and have trouble cooling down in the heat.

Lexxsmom · 06-23-2008, 10:11 PM

hmm interesting, ok I'll definitely have to get that checked asap... what happens if he DOES have a thyroid problem?

berkdogg · 06-23-2008, 10:24 PM

My dog is having the same problem. He has gotten taller, but has not put on any weight since about 8-9 months. He eats everyday, although the weight just doesn't seem to stick. I hope it is not a thyroid issue people seem to believe it may be. I did not pay almost $2000 for a dog just to have to give him thyroid medication every day for the rest of his days. I guess I will have no choice but to have blood work done on him, as I am tired of fixing all of this good food for him with ground beef, eggs, bil jack, and carrots only to not see it stick to his bones. I pick up the bag of dog food and feel how heavy it is. After it is all gone, I weigh him again, and he is still the same weight.

Does anyone here know perhaps the cost of a blood work exam to test all of this stuff?

Also, to Lexxsmom, it may be a good idea to read through your contract to see if you can get another dog and keep the one you have now. If you are like me, giving up your boy for another is totally out of the question. So, I guess we are screwed in many scenarios except one: 1) Our dogs have thyroid or some other problem and the breeder will not give us a new dog unless we give up the ones we have, 2) Our dogs are full grown, which sucks because I did not want an undersized dog <70lbs, 3) our dogs are undersized because they simply are picky eaters (at least this can possibly be changed), and 4) the best of choices, they will continue growing at a slow rate and will eventually hit a final growth spurt.

In particular, I would be happy if Merrick reached 80-85lbs. The bottom line is, I got Merrick knowing that his job would be to mind the house and protect my wife from any intruder. Being undersized and well below standard for a Dobe (which is small anyway for guard dog standards) limits him in this capacity. It is for this reason that my next Dobe will definitely be of Euro Standard or somewhat oversized. I know this will piss people off here, but I don't like the look of small and scrawny looking dogs- I didn't say I couldn't love one which I do, but I got a Doberman because I love dogs and because I wanted a guard dog.

Running out of steam now, sorry for the long post, but as you can tell I have been thinking about this a lot.