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Question about weight loss

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TannerW:
5 months ago, I asked my vet for her honest opinion on Roxie's weight, to which she said 'slightly' overweight.  So, since then, I've been feeding her 'slightly' less Iams Healthy Naturals dry food (around 2 cups a day, down from 2.5), and I've also added more running and less walking into her everyday routine.

Fast forward to today, when I returned to have her bordetella shots updated.  I was secretly expecting to hear a compliment on how she'd returned to a healthy weight, but the staff actually freaked out when the initial weigh-in revealed she'd lost just over 8 pounds since her last visit (going from 63 to 55 lbs.).

I really didn't think it was any big deal, considering her weight loss occurred under what was essentially a diet, and over a span of 5 months - however, the vet was concerned enough that she asked to see her again in 2 weeks (despite admitting that her weight appears 'just fine').

So the questions I'm left with are:

1) Is there anything to be worried about? 
2) If so, what?

GoldenPyrs:
Hmmmm, I really couldn't say without seeing Roxie but personally, I go by the ribs.  Can you feel her ribs w/o any layer of fat over them?  If so, that would be "too thin" in my book.  I like to be able to feel them, but through a little bit of a layer.

Also, have they done a fecal on her?  I ask b/c if she has worms, that might explain more weight loss than you would have anticipated given her diet.   ;)

TannerW:
There's a big poster in my vet's office that talks about how the ribs correlate with proper weight, and according to that poster, Roxie is pretty close to her target weight: Her ribs aren't visible, but you can feel that they're there if you run your hands down her side.

I was just really surprised by the vet's reaction and thought maybe she was losing too much weight too fast, or there was some other danger I didn't know about. 

GoldenPyrs:

--- Quote from: TannerW on November 19, 2008, 08:30:45 pm ---There's a big poster in my vet's office that talks about how the ribs correlate with proper weight, and according to that poster, Roxie is pretty close to her target weight: Her ribs aren't visible, but you can feel that they're there if you run your hands down her side.

I was just really surprised by the vet's reaction and thought maybe she was losing too much weight too fast, or there was some other danger I didn't know about. 

--- End quote ---


Well then, I sure see why you'd be surprised.  :-\  Did the vet say what she thinks is an ideal weight for Roxie and did she understand that it occurred over a 5 month period?  I know that they worry that rapid, unexplained weight loss can signal other health problems, but that doesn't sound like the case here at all.  Sorry, I can't be more help.   :-\  I just wanted to let you know that I sympathize.  Oh & welcome back, too!   :)

VdogLover:
I don't think a 10lb weight loss over 5 months, while on a diet and getting more exercise, is anything to be alarmed about. I have always been told that for dogs a pound a week is safe and healthy.

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