Hi everyone.
Saturday I took Boone to the vet. Earlier in the week, Kevin noticed a small growth on his leg, just above his foot. It didn't seem to bother him, but we are super-cautious and wanted to have it checked. Turns out the little wart has a wart. It's nothing serious at all, and it's in a spot where there are very few nerve endings, so it should not bother him at all. If it ever starts to bother him, we can always have it removed. Boone does not even seem to be aware of it, so it doesn't make sense to subject him to the pain and discomfort associated with removal.
The bad news was on the scale. Fatty gained just over a pound in a month! He eats next to nothing, only 1/3 cup of food 2X/day, one little Mother Hubbard treat when we leave for work, and only tiny and infrequent table scraps (table scraps aren't even a daily thing in our house). The vet asked about his activity level, and I admitted he is mostly a couch potato, but when he does get up and move he runs nearly everywhere he goes! The vet said he has two speeds, stop and GO! LOL! We did a T4 (?) test for hypothyroid, but his levels were normal.
So our only option is the dreaded D-word, DIET! At the vet's recommendation, we will switch the dogs from regular Solid Gold to the fish formula because it has 10% fewer calories. This is also good for Skeeter, because the lower fat and protein content is easier on a senior's liver.
Dr. John also recommended adding a bit of unflavored Medimucil to his food, to make Boone feel fuller after his small meals. I will do this if he seems really hungry, but I worry that it will make him gassy. I don't want to cause him discomfort, and remember that he is always on a lap and sleeps next to me in bed, so even if the gas wouldn't bother him, it would sure bother me!
Okay, here are the strange parts. 1. In the waiting room there was a young boy, who saw Boone and said, that looks like a long-haired dachshund, but have never seen that variation before. It was all I could do not to crack up because he was so serious and adult-sounding. Must be one of those spooky-smart kids who seems decades older than they are. I told him about double dapples and Boone's deafness, 2. Several times during the wait, the exam, and while paying the bill, we were interrupted by vet techs who wanted so say hi to Boone and cuddle him. After the third time, Dr. John explained that "Boone is a favorite around here." That's fine with me, and Boone will accept accept another cuddle!
I didn't even know dogs could get warts. Good to know. Glad to hear he is okay, though dieting won't be fun. Give Boone a belly rub for me!
Max had a wart on one of his forepaws and I think Rudy had one on the back leg, too. Neither noticed it, nor did they seem to care about either.
Boone's weight is a head scratcher. My first thought was hypothyroidism, but the blood test seems to have ruled that out. Maybe they should try again with a fasting blood test? When I put Zora on a diet, I cut her to 1/3rd cup, twice a day, and she is losing weight. Zeke still takes the full 1/2 cup, but he is so unmotivated by food that getting him to eat is a chore. Rudy and Max were both on the 1/3 cup on a light diet and their weights came down. I allowed them more treats once their weights levelled off. I guess cutting him back to a 1/4 cup is possible.
I always thought Metamucil was a stool softener...used for when us hoomans get constipated. I've never heard of it being used in that fashion. I don't think that gives puppers gas. Usually the gas is from the food. Higher protein foods lead to smellier gas.
Gotta love kids. I get a lot of comments about Zeke's blue/tan colors, mostly the "I've never seen a dachshund like that before".
Metamucil is fiber and that will make him feel fuller. Eating higher fiber foods also makes people feel fuller longer too! Will Boone eat green beans or something like that? That may help him feel equally full but not add tons of calories.
Boone is a fabulous looking guy! Here in Australia, Dachshies are nowhere near as common as they are in the U.S. Most people only know about smooth haired Dachsies and wants to say hello to Lucky when he takes me for walks. They invariably ask what breed of dog he is! Not sure what they'd say if they saw a Wire Hair!
Regards,
Steve
i brought my dash to the vets a few weeks ago and we got the dread d word as well. my dash bruno hasn;t had a scrap of food from the table nor any treats just his minimum diet food from before christamas brought him for a way in last week and guess what the little mite put on two pounds :BangHead: he is the same as boone a bit of a couch potato but also runs mental round the garden i am baffeled i really don't know what is goin on with bruno