Overweight Siberian Husky

[norm258]

heh.. this is my second time typing this out since my pup thought it would be fun to jump into my lap/on my notebook!

My daughter has a 3 year old siberian husky who is obese. Her name is Kira. They changed her food to a weight management formula from Acana and now to a high protein/less carb formulation. She gets fed about a cup twice a day.

The vet did some blood tests and found her thyroid was out of whack so put her on medication over a year ago. It has made no difference to this girl however! It has only made her lethargic rather then playful. My daughter is thinking of stopping the medication because it doesn't seem to be making any difference.

I should also mention my daughter is horrible at walking (or should I say not walking) the dog. She doesn't get that much exercise.

Anyone seen this before? Any suggestions I can pass on to her?

Thanks
Norm

[BenMax]

The meds should not be stopped.

Exercise is extremely important for all breeds, especially huskies. This poor dog needs the exercise not only for his medical state but for his own mental well being.

The beauty of being a dog owner is enjoying them at their best - exercised, balanced and stimulated. I am sorry, but I feel very bad for the dog.

Sorry to be blunt and a bit of a downer but I am a rep for huskies here and it is very hard to hear about a vibrant, energetic and graceful dog not given a good exercise regime.

[bendyfoot]

There's no magic pill or food that's going to fix this problem...the dog needs exercise, pure and simple. I'll bet $20 that the pup is also getting treats, scraps all day too, am I right? That needs to stop cold turkey. This is common sense, not a medical problem.

ETA: please remind your daughter that she is ensuring that her dog is going to live a short life, and probably be riddled with disease by the time she goes (heart, diabetes, liver, kidney, joints etc etc.) Obesity is just as serious for dogs as it is people.

[rainbow]

I agree with BenMax and bendyfoot about the exercise needs of a siberian husky. We have one now (he's 5 yr this month) and had two previously and they are high energy dogs. And, as BenMax said, their minds have to be exercised as well.

Has your daughter gone back to the vet to get Kira's thyroid re-checked? Perhaps she needs to have her med dosage adjusted. Definitely do not stop giving Kira the meds without getting her thyroid re-checked.

It sounds like a siberian husky is not a breed your daughter should have if she does not like exercise herself. Does she live close to you? Is there any way you can arrange play dates with your dog?

[dbg10]

I hope your daughter can find a way to get this lovely dog some exercise. If I remember correctly when Blackie was on thyroid medication, the dose was determined by her weight as well as by the results of the thyroid tests done by the vet.

If that is the case, the dose may not be high enough to control Kira's thyroid problem. She shouldn't stop the thyroid medication because I expect Kira will gain even more weight and also may create more health problems with the accompanying increase in vet bills. She should also get her to take Kira to the vet for re-testing of her thyroid problems as others said.

Is your daughter concerned about Kira's weight? I'm sure you are trying to get your daughter to realize what she is doing to Kira by not controlling Kira's food intake and not giving her exercise. Maybe things would change if you were able to go with her to the vet for Kira's re-testing? Maybe the vet can get her to understand what she needs to do to improve Kira's health.

Good luck

[norm258]

Thanks everyone for your bluntness! I read them to my daughter and she got quite upset.

Everyone basically said what I told her a hundred times but dad never knows best right?

I agree with each and every one of you -- exercise is the most important and taking her to the dog park once a week isn't enough. My wife was walking her but since the snow flew she cannot (she has a disability). I would have but my GSD Hunter didn't walk well with other dogs.

Now with the new pup, she will benefit I think I will take her with me. Maybe it will guilt my daughter into doing what is right!

Norm