Sammie Gave us a SCARE Lastnight

[Tambrey]

We were in the dining room, playing World of Warcraft, like we do most evenings...no cable or sattelite and not much on TV, so we enjoy WoW together

Anyways....heard a dog yelping outside, Ghost went nuts, cats were agitated....we could not find Sammie ANYWHERE in the house!!

We neither one remembered letting Sammie out, but who knows he could have slipped out while taking Ghost since he goes more often than Sammie...

We spent the next HOUR outside...near to midnight...HOT and MUGGY...Mosquito ridden with these BIG BLACK things...trudged through a SWAMP next door at the neighbors (gotta talk to them about that mosquito breeding ground!) We even drove the lawn tractor around out yard and pasture....and the big van through the pasture next door...up around town, across the highway....around the grainery...no Sammie....we were in a PANIC!

I came inside for a moment, said a prayer...looked behind the French Door in the corner of the living room before heading out again, and there he was laying on the pillow there....WHEW!!

But...his back is bothering him again...with this heat, I have noticed he has gained weight....sneaking out to the cats food does not help him any...
We also noticed him straining to go poop two days ago, so may have pulled or stressed some muscles then too.

So today.....not a regular vet day......but we had to check...vet said he should lose 3-4 pounds, his back is flaring up due to excess weight and laziness from not exercising due to the heat..

For now he is back on Rimadyl and crate rest for 2 weeks to see how he does...I need to pick up some weight loss food for him tomorrow and measure his portions out as well

Traci...any recommendations on what would be good to feed him...I am thinking some dry kibble to munch on through the day, and canned food for softer stools for him so no straining.
I cannot remember what foods I fed him last time.

[Marty]

Aww, Sammie...feel better! Tambrey, how about adding some green beans to his regular food instead of switching to a weight loss food. It adds bulk without calories, and I have heard it's better than the weight loss food for losing weight.

[Traci]

Didn't the vet tell you after his first episode to monitor his weight?

Marty, green beans aren't a nutritional staple for dogs, and diet food is formulated for all the necessary vitamins and minerals, and allows safe and gradual weight loss, not sudden and drastic weight loss -what we don't want in pets, it should be gradual. Probably nothing wrong with a small amount in food as a treat, but I wouldn't advise without a vet's direction, he's the only one who knows Sammy's weight and requirements, particularly with a known disk problem.

She may not have to get diet food at all, rather decrease Sammy's food portions, the vet will recommend based on what he feels best for Sammy's needs.

[Tambrey]

Yes, and we had been, but with me working 6 days a week, coming home and crashing, I have not been paying attention. I portion his own meals, but he gets to the kitchen and eats the cat food, and goes to Ghost's dish as well.

I felt it was too hot to keep him in his crate all day when we leave at 8am and do not get home until around 6, but we are going to have to for a while.

[k9Karen]

I'm so sorry Tambrey. Please make sure Sammie has a fan blowing on his crate and he has extra water. Hope he's better soon.

RE the green bean diet - I've used it and it works. The green beans are all fiber and virtually no calories. so they help make the dog feel full on less food. So, if you are cutting back on the amount you're feeding, they add extra bulk. If the dog isn't used to eating vegetables, it's best to start out with a very small amount so the digestive system can adjust to them gradually.