[Amba1993]

The new owners took their puppy at 8 weeks, she was feeding OK before she left. The new owners have had trouble getting her to eat I told them she would need time to settle in her new home. They are experienced GSD owners. Now 8 weeks later they have phoned to say she is still not eating and has only put a kilo on since they got her. She has only grown about an inch.
Any suggestions welcomed. Their vet is doing blood tests today.

[shazamataz]

What have they been feeding? Wet or dry and brand name would be good.

I would be very concerned about her only putting on 1kg. Any issues with development in general (bones and joints) or just not putting on weight and height?

[Aurora_Bell]

Was he the runt of the litter to begin with? Was his growth on par when he was nursing with the rest of the pack?

When puppies don't have proper nutrition they simply won't grow to their full potential or they may even have serious skeletal and muscular complications as they grow and mature.

Are there other pets in the house? I would assume that since the pup is getting blood work done, he has been de wormed? Have they looked at the pups teeth and mouth for any growths, or teeth that aren't coming in as they should be?

Aside from teething pains,-- digestive illness, injury to the abdomen or parasites are some of the most common reasons a dog will stop eating.

[Amba1993]

Thank you for your reply. All of the above have been done. We have had results back from Vet she has Pituitry Dwarfism I am heartbroken as are the new owners. I have never experienced this before I have been breeding GSD's since 1984 and have had 6 litters, and know there is not a lot of Good news in the results. I will of course be refunding their purchase price and go from there.

[shazamataz]

Thank you for being such a responsible breeder Amba, and I'm sorry that this has happened to you.

Has the vet advised what to do from here?
Sorry I am not familiar with this problem so I can't be much more than supportive.

[Just_Another_Lemming]

Amba, a long time ago I saw someone with what looked like a miniature GSD & when I asked about the breed I was told that he/she (don't remember) was a GSD with Pituitary Dwarfism. Although I understand what that means, I didn't go into any further discussion as to why this occurred and frankly, dropped the ball regarding researching it. Like Shaz, I commend you for being a responsible breeder. From the little research I have done this morning, there wasn't any way for you to know this would occur so please don't beat yourself up over this. It simply randomly appears even in Champion bloodlines.

Although this is very sad, please understand it isn't a death sentence for the dog. Has the vet provided any other information? Have you found any research on the subject so you know how to proceed?

The link below is the best one I could find outside of a veterinary journal, regarding the disease. I wish you the best of luck. You very well might find a home yet for this little girl. One in which the family would enjoy living with a diminitive GSD. Please don't give up hope for finding a loving family. Although I don't know whether she is sterile, it might be wise to spay her as soon as she is old enough. You may just find that you yourself will enjoy having a little GSD "lap dog." Sometimes these things happen for a reason. You also might want to discuss with your vet spaying the "mom" to avoid the possibility of this occurring again.

SiriusDog.com - Pituitary Dwarfism in the German Shepherd Dog