I have an 8yr. old male. He weights about 30 pounds with a girth of 21 inchs. He almost looks like a black and tan basset hound. I have taken him to the vet several times concerning his weight with the only suggestion being changing his food and amount. He is on the Iams Weight Control with one cup per day regiment. He drinks about a gallon of water per day easy. The Vet does not believe that he is Diabetic, but if he were human, I would bet on it.

Akoue

Does he get enough exercise? If you've reduced his calorie intake and he isn't losing weight, the next thing to do us increase the amount of exercise he gets.

Did the vet check his thyroid?

starbuck8

Akoue is right. Have his thyroid checked for sure. I would also wonder about kidney disease. He is extremely overweight, and this could lead to heart conditions. His food intake seems fine, but if he's drinking that much water, there is definitely an underlying cause. Has your vet showed no concern other than saying he isn't diabetic? If he hasn't, I would get myself a new vet. One that seems to know and care about each dog individually. They must know how much our fur babes mean to us! Definitely start with blood tests for a thyroid condition, and then go down the line of other possibilities until you find out the reasons why he is so heavy, and why his water intake is so extreme.

I wish you the best of luck in finding out what is going on, so your dog can be with you for many more yrs., and live a happy, healthy life.

lala55555

aww lol too cute i love daccunds (aka weiner dogs ) well take him on like 2 walks a day and well u mite not wanna give him Iams cuz of wat hapend with all those dogs and cats a few yrs back just in case and yaa good luck and post a photo of himm plesee

starbuck8

I don't think this is anything "cute." This is a medical issue, and unless you've got something to contribute that will help, this was useless information. I'm sure he's adorable, but there is nothing cute about a dog that could die if there aren't tests done to figure out the underlying problem. You cannot say not to feed him Iam's just because there was whatever issue you are talking about that happened a few yrs. ago. Iam's would not be my choice, but there are no problems concerning contamination with the Iam's brand at this point.

450donn

1 cup a day sounds a bit too much to me. Especially if you are not exercising the dog a lot. Heck, my 85 pound Lab got only two cups a day and it kept his weight perfect for his frame. How many table scarps do you give your dog?

JudyKayTee

This is a ridiculous answer - and as far as Iams is concerned you are way off base.

This type of weight problem is most definitely not "cute."

templelane

As suggested above get a new vet, cut down on the food (work outhow much he should have for his breed size the vet should help with this), take him on lots of short walks. Because of thies shape it can be difficult to get dashunds the exercise they need and you must be careful his little legs and his long back will already be under a lot of stress. Have you considered getting him to swim? He'll get more exercise due to the water resistance and his spine will be supported by the water. Ask the (new) vet about any programes for this in your area.

Also be honest, do you or anyone else feed him scaps from the table, or does he raid bins? You've got to be cruel to be kind and be tough on food treats.

xoxaprilwine

I have a Jack Russel mix (adopted rescue - have no idea what the other part is)...shorter legs and longer back...she swims better then most bigger dogs and is in great shape. She goes for 3 walks and the evening walk is an off-leash area with a lake (1 - 1 1/2 hour walk and swim). She had lots of treats and plenty of dog food - the trick is balance for us...she could easily become overweight if exercise was not consistent. Our other dog that passed away 2 years ago at 17 years of age was a German Shepard/Husky...she had weight problems but the same exercise. IAMS sometimes isn't the best...didn't the vet recommend dietary food from the clinic? As we had to get specialized treats and food as well as balanced intake of water...it was hard. No scraps at all...the only thing we gave our dogs where fruit and vegetables - believe it or not they ate it!

Wally Dog

There is a reason why he gets 1 cup of food per day. Along with him, we also have his daughter, she is a mid-dachshund at about 13 lbs. 5yrs old and only loves men. Not a good dog with women at all. Nevertheless, she has shown no issues with this, she eats about a third of a cup per day and does drink a quart of water by herself everyday. I give both of them a cup and it survives the full day.

Wally roams the neighborhood for a half an hour three times per day doing his male rounds. With his one eye, he is still gregarious with other male dogs and not afraid to pick a fight or two. The vet actually recommended the Iams, showed concern about his weight as well. While we have been able to get him to as low as 27 lbs from time to time, he seemingly drinks it back up. The vet has stated that his heart is good, especially considering his weight. There have been no blood tests for any genetic or environmental conditions.

Wally started off life and lived for 5 yrs in the cab of a Frightliner Semi-truck. his daughter lived three years this way before I was asked to take care of them by my father-in-law as a favor for one of his friends. They are both good puppies. Heck, Wally even sits like a ground hog for ten minutes or so just to get your attention.

I don't know what is wrong with him, wish I did. Given his weight and partial blindness I actually only foresee him living another two years at best.