Emaciated rescue question

sargboxerluv · #1 11-01-2008, 05:47 PM

I rescued a one year old female boxer about 3 weeks ago. She is extremely underweight. How long will it take her to gain her weight back? She needs to gain at least 15#. She is eating a mix of Wellness Super 5 puppy food and Wellness Core Ocean. Straight puppy gave her runs, the mix does not do this. I'm just concerned because winter is here and she has no way to stay warm outside. Right now I pin one of my shirts on her and it usually slides off before we get back in, but I will be buying an actual dog coat on payday.

angleheart · #2 11-01-2008, 08:36 PM

Well, when I brought Razzi home about 7mths ago, she was a little underweight. I can tell you that when I first got her she weighed about 50 lbs. Now, she weights 60lbs. So, in short it took her about 6-7 months to gain 10 lbs eating 2 meals a day (she is about 2 1/2 yrs old)

EAO76 · #3 11-02-2008, 02:27 AM

Well I fostered one really skinny boy who was about 10months old. Prior to coming to the rescue he was living on the streets. It took him about 7 months to go from 47lbs to 62lbs. On the other hand I fostered a very skinny three yr old and after only a couple of weeks he gained 10lbs. So I really think their age has some to do with it. Keep in mind she is at an awkward stage, many boxers are very ribby at one year. She will continue to fill out and grow until about 3yrs old so it may take some time for her to gain that boxer physique.

sargboxerluv · #4 11-02-2008, 06:35 AM

I knew she would still be somewhat skinny because of her age and that she wouldn't "fill out" for a while yet. At this point she is not an active dog so hopefully that helps with not using up calories for energy that she needs to gain weight. I just hope people know I'm trying to get her to gain weight if it really takes that long. I do get some funny looks at the pet store and then feel the need to explain we rescued her. I'm sure the coat I get will be very helpful - she does like to sniff the neighborhood and I dont think she will want to give up her walks in the winter!

laurelheebsh · #5 11-02-2008, 07:51 AM

When we adopted Duke he was only 59 lbs on an average sized male frame. He was skin and bones, and that is after being at the Humane Society for a few weeks. I hate to think about what he was before that. 4 months later he's at 69 lbs and looks much healthier.

catcrazy56 · #6 11-02-2008, 09:01 AM

I am with a rescue and I don't know how high protein you are using I think Wellness core is high protein in Canada we use Orejen to gain weight on our emaciated rescues it works fast

suzyqdogsmom · #7 11-04-2008, 09:01 AM

I imagine that as she adjusts to a good home where she feels secure and puts on even a little weight, her energy level and interest in playing will also come back. Hopefully that will increase her appetite and interest in eating also. And any additional weight will help her tolerate the cold, although my baby doesn't like the cold and she has never missed a meal in her life. Good luck with your new baby, you are wonderful for giving her a forever home.

sargboxerluv · #8 11-05-2008, 06:42 PM

She is emotionally adjusting pretty well. SHe has improved so much with the seperation issue that I'm actually very surprised. Her appetite is much better, especially now that I'm using Wellness. Now that she actually eats, I need to do more work with training. SHe doesn't even know her name, but she didnt care about food or toys when she first came here, so I decided to give her more time before trying again. But I think it's time now. Not that she is bad or anything. Maybe I'll try Orijen next. Id like to have 2-3 I can rotate anyway.

mini · #9 11-18-2008, 06:55 PM

it has taken my emaciated foster almost 2 full months to get to a normal weight. that was with 3 feedings a day for a month (half cup of dry and a can of we at each feeding, nutri-cal suppliment for the first two weeks at each feeding) then she went to two cups of dry at each feeding, so right now she is still eating 4 cups a day and looking great!!!