Expert: Marie Peppers / The Boston Terrier Lady - 9/25/2009

Question
I purchased a 3 month old Boston Terrier puppy from a breeder a few weeks ago.  When I picked her up from the airport I was surprised to find that she was under weight.  When you picked her up she felt like skin and bones (at least to me she did).  I took her to my vet and he did state that she was a pound or two under weight for her size. Although I breed Boston's, I have never had one that was under weight (my vet says even the runts of my litters are always shiny, cute little butterballs)so I am not quite sure what to do.  Would you reccomend that I add one of the high calorie supplements to her diet or maybe try adding in a little bit of something like Barking at The Moon to her puppy food for a while?  She is on Nutro Max puppy which is what I feed my litters.  Thanks for your help.

Answer
Dog meatloaf:  Let me know if you try it?

Weight gain in Boston pup:  How about my meatloaf recipe:
Doggy MeatLoaf:
VERY Easy
WE have had Good luck with this Recipe:

This recipe uses egg as a binder;  bake it like a meat loaf, with bread crumbs or other grains. As presented here, with these ingredients, it is about 30 percent protein, 25 percent fat, and 42 percent carbohydrates.

1/2 pound (1 cup) fairly lean beef chuck (low fat)
6 slices whole-wheat bread, crumbled (about 3 cups)
1 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
1/4 cup cooked  vegetables ( green beans / peas/ others)
*** 1 NuVET wafer vitamin ** each day - see below:
** a generous 1/2 teaspoon of powdered egg shell)*
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
100 IU vitamin E
1/4 teaspoon tamari soy sauce or dash of iodized salt (optional)
1 small clove garlic, crushed or minced (optional)

* press the mixture into a casserole dish so it’s 1 to 2 inches thick and bake at 350°F for 20 to 30 minutes, or until set and lightly browned.


Yield: About 5 1/2 cups,
NuVET -   http://www.nuvet.com/81098

Beef substitutes: Try ground or chopped chicken, turkey, medium chuck, or hamburger instead of the beef in this recipe.

Hi Pam , Yes, The Barking at the Moon dog food by Solid Gold is an excellent choice.
Do a 50:50 mix of the Nutro Max and the Barking at the Moon.  I would do this mix for 3 months or more.  Also, I have had great luck with the NuVET supplement.  Builds some muscle and bulk on to many breeds including bostons.
Holistic and not sold in stores: see here:
http://www.nuvet.com/81098
Tell them Pet Nurse Marie told you to give 1 wafer per day.

I would put her on 1 per day.  NuVET will help to build up the immune system and add some Quality weight onto this baby.

BEST wishes

Marie Peppers LPN MA