About MAJO Expertise I have 3 years in pre-vet school (animal science) and am certified in canine behavior and nutrition. I currently own and operate my own business training dogs for private in home training, and group classes. I have competed in conformation, agility, obedience, sheep herding trails, luring and Schutzhund competititions. I have been training for over 15 years and have worked with all breeds including, uncommon and rare breeds. I have seen and heard it all. I also work as a surgery and emergency technician; and I can help with general health concerns. Please feel free to contact me with questions. I also have knowledge in cat and small animal/rodent behavior
Experience I have 3 years in pre-vet school (animal science) and am certified in canine behavior and nutrition. I currently own and operate my own business training dogs for private in home training, and group classes. I have competed in conformation, agility, obedience, sheep herding trails, luring and Schutzhund competititions. I have been training for over 15 years and have worked with all breeds including, uncommon and rare breeds. I have seen and heard it all. I also work as a surgery and emergency technician; and I can help with general health concerns. Please feel free to contact me with questions. I also have knowledge in cat and small animal/rodent behavior
Education/Credentials
3 years Texas A&M University as an animal science/pre > vet major. I am certified through Cornell University for canine behavior and nutrition. I have experience in all areas. 15 years training, showing, competing, and studying dogs and their behavior. Also 10 + years working in vet hospitals as a tech and emergency tech.
Question My dog is an 11 yr. old collie who has been losing weight, losing color (he's a tri collor and the black has completely faded), and his coat is looking very poorly. I've had complete blood work done & nothing shows up. I feed him a combination of Wellness kibble & wet food, as well as a variety of yogurt, cottage cheese, steamed chicken, steamed vegetables, etc. and add enzymes to his diet. Do you have any suggestions on what else I can look into as far as his weight loss? He's gone from 100 lbs two years ago to about 65 lbs now. Thank you.
Answer Elizabeth,
I apologize if this long in getting back to you. I average around twenty questions per day and try and provide each questioner with as much information and options as possible, which can sometimes involve lengthy research.
I want to first say that I am so very impressed with the wonderful diet you are providing your Collie. So many of both my clients and questions have no idea on the importance of their pet's diet, and what relation it plays not only to their overall health but, related diseases and behavior as well.
Wellness is a great dog food, one of the very few I recommend, and the fact that you are also supplementing him with other natural ingredients is a perfect diet. I will say that just like us, when our pets age their bodies fall prey to a whole host of ailments, including low weight gain, poor hair structure, and graying. I feel that the fact that his black coat color is fading is normal and honestly, I feel that for you just to have noted the fading within only the last few years is great. I have a seven year old Harlequin Great Dane that in what seemed over night one she turned five years old, all her sharp black contrast especially on her face and chest, has stated to fade into her white and grey markings. So I feel the loss of color in as normal as us getting gray hair. (Yuck!) : )
I do want to offer a few natural listed remedies that I have had success with in using them for my senior dogs and cats. First however I am going to recommend that you have his blood work redone within the next couple of weeks. Occasionally serious problems or conditions can be missed and not caught until too late.
Next, I recommend that you start adding Chlorella to his diet, (add 2.5 to 3 grams daily to his food, however it can be doubled up to 5x the recommend dose). Chlorella is a single celled, freshwater algae that packs high levels of vitamins, minerals, animo acids and high levels of chlorophyll which is a cleanser and detoxifier. When added regularly to his diet it will help in slowing down the aging process, and help him maintain his youthful energy longer.
Also, alfalfa can be used to aid in increasing appetite in dogs, (use 4-5 drops of a tincture 3 times daily), however, if his appetite had not changed per say than it may just be his bodies' ability to absorb the nutrients you are providing. There are ways around this, and I will discuss them in a minute. Vitimin E is also indicated for senior pets. It is shown to improve circulation, the immune system, endurance, stamina, and skin problems. (Recommend dosage - 200 I.U daily).
Additionally, I recommend that you lower his protein intake. Make sure the protein you do feed is of the highest quality. This relates back to his body not being able to absorb all the nutrients provided. His need may not be more or excess levels of protein, but low amounts of high quality protein. It is also important to make sure that he is getting adequate levels of vitimin C and B complex, which are necessary for protein digestion. To ensure he is receiving all the proper levels he needs, especially vitamin B2, which in insufficient amounts can be linked to weigh loss, poor hair growth and reproduction, oily and/or flaky skin, and digestive upset, I recommend you add the supplement; “The Missing Link” to his diet. (800-774-7387) It contains all the proper levels of enzymes, fatty acids, fiber, beneficial bacteria, vitamins, trace minerals, and health boosting compounds from plants he will ever need to maintain a perfect balance. Also Halo makes a similar product called; “Vita Dreams Daily Greens”. (800-7426-4256) This supplement contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, chlorophyll, barley and alfalfa juice, bee pollen, bee propolis, and royal jelly.
Finally, I will offer two additional options. First, I suggest a product that is a combination of herbs and flower essences made by Tasha's Herbs, (800-315-0142). It contains such ingredients as; Hawthorn, nettles, oat flowers, chamomile, dandelion root and leaf, kelp, and garlic and is made to promote health, appetite, and energy. It is called Senior Support for Dogs.
Next the tissue salt - Calcarea phosphorica, (Calc. phos) 6x is especially good where there is apparently poor digestion or poor utilization of nutrients. Dosage is 1 tablet twice daily for 3 to 4 weeks.
I suggest you continue feeding him the diet you are, however you could very well cut out any dry kibble and supplement him with just raw meat, raw liver, cooked meat (lamb, pork, or venison,)cooked chicken, and cooked fish, in addtion to the yogurt, cottage cheese, steamed chicken, and vegetables you are already feeding. It may take a period of time before you see positive results with any of the suggestions I have offered, or you may see both a change in his appearance and an increase in weigh right away. I hope this comes to offers come additional help for his basic problem - old age. Please feel free to get back to me with any additional questions or concerns.
All the Best,
Jodi
