[labman]

From an email. I support the site policy of not asking or answering questions by email or PM.
> Hi we have a 4 yo male German Shep dog who is really thin. He recently
> got bit by a rattlesnake and thank god is o.k. now.. but he lost more
> weight. He was 80 Lbs BUT he is a real big boy. Now he weighs only
> 75... his little sister weighs 82 and she is much shorter and more solid than
> him. He looks like a refugee...
> We have tried nutrabones, hamburger, cottage cheese, expensive canned
> dog food, he won't eat enough and LOVES to chase deer that keeps him even
> thinner from all the running!! He worries me that he may become so
> thin his hips and immune system may become damaged.
> DO you have any ideas? I would appreciate any info.
> Thanks Chefcher

This is a common problem with Shepherds. The usual he just won't eat all he is given? What does the vet say? He needs a good work up starting with checking a stool sample for worms. All the above could do more harm than good by not providing a complete and balanced diet. Once the vet clears him, a better solution would be a dry small breed puppy chow. They still meet AAFCO minimums for everything and no other dog chow is as calorie rich. I would stick to the same brand and protein source as what you have been feeding if it is available. The fewer different proteins a dog eats when young, the easier it is to work around it if it ever develops food allergies.

You might look over the sticky at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/i...tml#post254171