Hi all, I'm new here. I adopted a ~2yr old chocolate lab from a shelter a few days ago. He had tested heartworm negative a few weeks ago at the shelter, but when I took him to the vet yesterday, he tested positive, so he will have to begin treatment on Monday. He is very thin and malnourished. He weighs 65 lbs, but you can see his rib cage go out and sink back in (if you're looking down at him). I'm thinking he probably needs to gain at least 15 lbs, but I'm not sure. My other lab is a slight bit taller than the new dog (Moose), and he weighs 82 lbs, so I'm just guessing on what Moose's health weight would be. Anyway, the vet just said to "feed him more" than I do my other lab (which obviously I would), and to mix in some puppy food with it. I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas of exactly how to get this guy up to weight. I know once he starts the treatment, it may be harder to get him to eat so I may have to cook him some things, so I'm open to any and all suggestions. Thanks!

I cannot tell you all the details because I don't know them, but Lucy was HW positive at the shelter... and she went through treatments to correct it. She is now a healthy weight... but I know that the treatments took a couple of months. HW positive dogs, according to my vet, often lose weight and have a hard time putting it back on.

I would get with your vet and get those treatments started and talk to them about feeding and making sure that he gets enough to eat while the treatments are ongoing. I also know that while they are being treated, you have to keep their activity and stress levels fairly low.

These are heart worms after all.

Do not take this lightly. Get the treatment started, work through the disease with your vet.

Here is one recipe for Satin Balls which will put weight on a dog:

http://www.recipezaar.com/Satin-Balls-50904


Also Google "satin balls" there are many different recipes out there for satin balls and you may find one you prefer. Normally satin balls will put weight on a dog pretty quickly. You did say the dog checked out okay at the vet except for heartworm. You may want to give them a call and see if these high calorie satin balls will be okay to feed before doing so. Good luck.

Did your vet recommend putting the lab on a course of doxy prior to having the injections? The course of doxy kills the organisims that live with the heartworm and are also partially responsible for the inflammation following the treatment. Our rescue is now always pre-treating with doxy, I think 7 days rest, and then the injections.

Definately be sure to talk to your vet about this!

As far as the increase in weight goes...take it slow. I prefer to feed puppy formula of the food I feed (California Natural Lamb & Rice Puppy) to my skinny fosters. It's the simplist formula of dog foods and is very calorie dense. It's important to not over feed because it will go right through them. Jeremy now known as Houston was emaciated when I picked him up.... with muscle atrophe...you want the weight to go on with healthy body mass - not just a big belly. I'll also mention that I fed 80% of the kibble as CN L&R Puppy and 20% as EVO Reduced Fat - the EVO Reduced Fat is 52%Protein and, although I have no scientific data links to back it up...feel that the added protein would help the heart muscle and the muscle atrophe.