HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

**pollbully missy eliot** · by **pollbully missy eliot** on Sat 07 Nov 2009, 15:57

Hi, Pictured above is my 10 month old Sulley. When he was born his oesophagus was trapped by his aorta. The breeder put him through the required operation which he had a 1 in 10 chance of surviving which he did bless him thankfully for us!!!! He is more like an irish staffie and alot longer legged than my girls but he still has problems swallowing food!! The vets have said that he still could be left with a partial blockage! He can't have dried food at all or food that cloggs in his throat and to make it harder he wolfs his food down even tho i separate him from the other 2 when eating to try and get him to eat slower. I have tried numerous foods and the only meat he can tolerate is Butchers tins and even that has to be in gravy not jelly! I give him raw eggs or scrambled egg and have also recently put him on Lactol (puppy dose). He is looking really bony at the mo and looks awful. I have wormed them recently too!!

Any ideas on soft building up things i could give him without hopefully going in one end and coming out the other would be much appreciated!!!

He is such a loving, cuddly, gentle little boy which makes it even harder to see him having probs!!!

**janandruby** · by **janandruby** on Sat 07 Nov 2009, 16:19

Aw bless, sounds like you are doing your best for him at the moment. How about liquidising his meals for a while, even some chicken etc? Might that help? Hope so as he looks a lovely little chap. xxx

**Markey** · by **Markey** on Sat 07 Nov 2009, 16:44

I cant add much to that.
You are doing a great job
Liquidised food sounds a good idea.

**My Bully's Keeper** · by **My Bully's Keeper** on Sat 07 Nov 2009, 17:14

Liquidised veggies and meat will do him the world of good, poor little thing sad

**staffylover70** · by **staffylover70** on Sat 07 Nov 2009, 17:22

I agree with the others and look to liquiside the food. Also if you wanted to get some kibble into him I would soak it and then mash it up or put it in the liquidiser
He looks so tiny bless him

**allie** · by **allie** on Sat 07 Nov 2009, 17:58

I use goats milk when I want to feed cassie up, however liquidizing the food sounds great too

suzieT · by suzieT on Sat 07 Nov 2009, 18:07

Poor little Sulley

Have you tried tripe - its great for building good bulk and is a good food too - its wet to the touch however you could mush up more if required - and maybe add rice

You could buy 1 packet from Pets at Home and see what you think -

Just one word of warning - it stinks so beware - you can also get other flavours too andyou can heat them up if required.

I hope as Sulley grows his problem is too much of a hinderance for him - he seems a tough little boy though

Just a suggestion for you to think about Smile

Best of luck with the weight gain Sulley xx

**bluestaffymax** · by **bluestaffymax** on Sat 07 Nov 2009, 18:12

chicken and rice in the liquidizer would be good,
hope all goes well , any more pics??

***nikki*** · by ***nikki*** on Sat 07 Nov 2009, 18:17

For dogs that need to gain weight or loose weight quickly through stress - this is what we feed at the kennels...

The Serotonin Diet...

DO NOT FEED onions or leeks, grapes or raisins, macadamia nuts.
• Fruit and vegetables will help with any possible mineral deficiencies.
• Use good quality protein (white fish, chicken, lamb and beef)
• Feed oily fish NO MORE THAN once per week.
• Give a good quality vitamin and mineral supplement.
• Ideally give 3 or more meals a day.

The physiological effects of feeding regimes for behaviour cases

In many cases we can improve the emotional state and consequently the behaviour of a dog by paying particular attention to feeding:

Serotonin

• Serotonin is known as the ‘feel good’ hormone.
• Poor serotonin activity in the brain causes the dog to be more of a ‘risk-taker’. Thus the dog is more likely to resort to aggression without fully accepting the consequences.
• Feed cooked chicken or white fish and then 20-30 minutes later feed cooked pasta, brown rice or potatoes with a vitamin B supplement.
• Feed this for 1-2 weeks (to give a kick start to serotonin production) and then begin to introduce other proteins, fruit, and vegetables for a more prolonged feeding regime.
• The protein tryptophan is used by the body to make serotonin and as this is beginning to be broken down in the gut the carbohydrate causes insulin to be released. Insulin and vitamin B6 help turn the tryptophan into serotonin.
• Serotonin activity is also increased by plenty of chewing and gnawing activity (preferably in the form of large bones)
• The static and purposeful nature of Mind Games also help produce serotonin.

Blood Glucose Levels
• Fluctuations in blood glucose (an immediate ‘high’ on eating simple carbohydrates followed by a slump) can cause severe mood swings
• Periods of low blood glucose are more readily accompanied by aggression due to a lack of tolerance.
• Give the dog a good quality feed in 4,5 or 6 meals spaced throughout the day.

Appropriate feeding methods for individual cases

• The include coprophagia, pica, anorexia and mouth based anomalies
• If stress levels are high – natural feeding & chewing (preferably large natural bones)
• If the dog suffers from anxiety – natural feeding and chewing (preferably large natural bones)
• Food issues(eg aggression/possession) – multiple feeds and deliver appropriately for that individual.

Serotonin Diet

This dog will be fed 4 times a day as follows

08:30
100g cooked chicken, defrosted veg, ½ tsp marmite, 100g Arden Grange

09:00
Feed 150g cooked pasta

11:30
100g Arden Grange and 100g cooked chicken

12:00
Feed cooked pasta

14:00
100g Arden Grange and 100g cooked chicken

14:30
Feed cooked pasta

16:00
100g Arden Grange and 100g cooked chicken

16:30
Feed cooked pasta

Feed slightly defrosted vegetables with the 1st meal of the day

Add to 100g Arden Grange and 100g cooked chicken

Follow this diet for 2 weeks then begin to add a larger variety of fruit and vegetables and different proteins i.e white fish

Always provide chewing material i.e raw bones and raw hide chews.

After each meal feed cooked pasta 20-30 minutes after vegetable and meat meal.

This will need to be repeated 4 times a day.

**pollbully missy eliot** · by **pollbully missy eliot** on Sat 07 Nov 2009, 18:54

This my little Daisy (even tho shes the oldest, didn't want her to feel left out!!!)

Thanks all for your replies!!!! I will write it all down and willing to try anything to get some meat on him, feel really sorry for him especially when its cold!!! The first photo of him is quite a bit older but will post another one in a mo but again he looks alot better on the photo than he does now but he's also had a growth spurt and now got long lanky legs which makes him look thinner! Can't post any reccent photo's as my son has managed to misplace my camera as he thinks he's David Bailey!!!! Will get some sorted soon tho when camera turns up!!!

Thanks again for all your help and i'll keep you posted!!!! x x

**pollbully missy eliot** · by **pollbully missy eliot** on Sat 07 Nov 2009, 18:57

Another pic of Sulley!!! x

**pollbully missy eliot** · by **pollbully missy eliot** on Sun 08 Nov 2009, 13:08

Hi again, Might sound like a daft question but what is the best way to cook the chicken, should i add anything to it while cooking?? Also can i cook a bulk load an freeze it?? What are the best veggies and fruits for them too?? I know it might sound daft but never had to go to fresh food before cos all my others have always been on Burns or something like!! My thinking is that if i'm cooking for one i might as well introduce other things for my two girls as well or they'll only sulk!!! x

**My Bully's Keeper** · by **My Bully's Keeper** on Sun 08 Nov 2009, 14:47

pollbully missy eliot wrote:Hi again, Might sound like a daft question but what is the best way to cook the chicken, should i add anything to it while cooking?? Also can i cook a bulk load an freeze it?? What are the best veggies and fruits for them too?? I know it might sound daft but never had to go to fresh food before cos all my others have always been on Burns or something like!! My thinking is that if i'm cooking for one i might as well introduce other things for my two girls as well or they'll only sulk!!! x

In my opinion I'd feed the chicken only lightly cooked, seared if you will. I feed Harley on raw chicken however if Sully needs beefing up I'd maybe stay clear of the raw. As for veggies, best thing to do is blend the veg into a mush, it's the only way the dog will digest the veg. Feed almost anything but not too much potato and no onion. As for fruit, my dog loves apples, pears etc wee bit of banana.

Hope this helps.

suzieT · by suzieT on Sun 08 Nov 2009, 14:50

Hello

I may be wrong in saying this so please don't quote me -

Chicken sohuld never be frozen once cooked - it can be placed in the fridge - but not the freezer - I am certain this is due to it been poultry - maybe I am wrong.

I am sure something will update you on the veggie question as I use raw for ours so can't on that one - sorry

**tracyp** · by **tracyp** on Mon 09 Nov 2009, 02:38

I'd mix up some lightly boiled red or white meat, chuck in some peas, carrots, mushrooms, corn, banana, tomatoes, egg, cheese, sardines or tuna & put it all in the blender. & if he can take it, i'd give him some mashed spuds or pasta as well. Mine love it with a little gravey dripped on top.
Hope Sulley is putting on some weight very shortly. He's a gorgeous boy!

Also, if he likes sweet things. . . Mush up some "pink lady" apples. They are sweet & full of good vit's & min's. I'd also pop some goats milk in his water just for an extra touch.

Lcsstaffords · by Lcsstaffords on Mon 09 Nov 2009, 12:11

Sardines or fish will help him bulk out pretty quickly. Maybe try some chicken and rice, though this wont have that much fat it is easily digestible. I find fish to be quite oily and also digested easily and therfore very useful for weight gain. You can also get some cod-liver capsules to blend into his meals as this is 100% fat and will also help him put on a bit of weight. Little and often is the key, maybe put his meals upto 3 or 4 a day. Banana seems to be a good one as you can mush it up and for a fruit its got quite a lot of nutrition and carbs in it. Goats milk too will help bulk him out.

Just give him a little bit more when you feed too, a small amount (half a handful more) will make a huge difference within a few weeks. You can also get special bowls to stop them bolting their food (Ive got one on order for my girl), and to make them taste it a bit more! This will be good for him as it will slow down digestion etc.

Eat Better Bowl

**pollbully missy eliot** · by **pollbully missy eliot** on Mon 09 Nov 2009, 12:51

Thanks everyone for all your help!! He's just had half of his lactol today and now giving him mashed apple with a bit of potato!! He's going mad cos its still too hot!! Banana's are a great suggestion cos i have given him them before but was scared of giving him them too often cos didn't know if they were good or bad for him!! He loves mashed banana mixed with Lactol. If i give him goats milk and other fresh friut and veg could i knock the Lactol on the head or should i give him that too!! God my shopping list has just doubled in size this week!!! I don't care tho i just want my Sulley looking good!! Thanks again for everyones help!! x

**pollbully missy eliot** · by **pollbully missy eliot** on Tue 10 Nov 2009, 13:18

Hi again! I've been shopping for my Sulley today! I have bought fresh fruit, meat and veg and also cows milk! I'll list what i've bought so if i've bought anything i shouldn't of please let me know!

Fresh fruit

Pink lady apples
Bananas
Pears
Pineapple

Fresh Veg

Potatoes
Carrots
Swede
Brocoli
Sweetcorn
Cauliflower

Fresh Meat

Chicken fillet
Minced Beef
Stewing Steak

Other items

Tuna in sunflower oil
Pasta
Goats Milk
Eggs

So far today he has had;

Quarter of pint lactol
Scrambled Egg (2 eggs) with Goats milk
Followed by 150g cooked pasta half hour later with bit of goats milk to make slimey!
half a pear and half a apple mashed with banana
Soon to be follwed by more cooked pasta and milk!
Later he is having Tuna, sweetcorn and cooked pasta
Then supper is other bit of pear, apple and banana and milk
followed half an hour later by cooked pasta!

I feel like Delia today!! He is booked at the vets on Friday for a health check to see that nothing else untoward going on but don't think there is as his weight has always been an issue!! Am i on the right track with his feeding?? Still going to try some tripe and gradually introduce other stuff too!!! He should be the healthiest dog round here when all this takes effect!!! I don't expect him to be a heavy looking boy cos he is so long legged but he should be alot bigger than he is cos i can see his ribs and spine at the mo, its awful!! Fingers crossed!!! x

**matt** · by **matt** on Tue 10 Nov 2009, 15:10

Well I'm absolutely no expert so someone will be able to say better than me if that's all ok, but I don know one thing, he'll be eating better than me today!

**pollbully missy eliot** · by **pollbully missy eliot** on Tue 10 Nov 2009, 15:35

He's eating better than us too!!! My fridge is full of Sulley food!!

alienass · by alienass on Tue 10 Nov 2009, 22:23

Im having same problems trying to help my boy staff gain weight. I have been told to try whit rice and scrambled egg and to chop up good pup food. Jake my boy was let go from his parents too young and has skin problems which is being sorted. He is same height as my female, who is 7yrs, jake is just all legs and no meat. Dont get me wrong I love him to bits and he is very loving. I found pasta and too much veg play havic with his stomach. Anyhow good luck and if you do have some luck pass it my way.

**pollbully missy eliot** · by **pollbully missy eliot** on Tue 10 Nov 2009, 22:36

I certainly will!! So far so good, he has devoured everything he's been given today but will have to see what after effects it brings tommorrow!!!! He absolutely adores the goats milk!!!

**pollbully missy eliot** · by **pollbully missy eliot** on Wed 11 Nov 2009, 19:33

Hi again!!

Sulley is loving his new diet!! Only problem is cos he's being fed so often he thinks every time i go into the kitchen that he's getting fed and goes mental!!! With his long legs its like Bambi bounding about!! We've not had any unwanted after effects either today!! He's had nearly the full carton of goats milk i bought yesterday and i know he's got a long way to go but he does look very slightly fuller today so don't know if thats from the extra fluid, ie the goats milk and juices from the fruit etc!! He does look a happy boy today tho!!

HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

bless scully

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!

Re: HI, My 10 month old Sulley needs serious weight gain ideas!!