Expert: Jannie Balliett - 6/22/2010

Question
QUESTION: I bought a boxer amonth ago and she was skinny, but she is getting skinnier i can see ribs, i cant afford a vet . I had her on kirkland dog food, but i just started switching to nutro max 3 days ago. i see no worms and she eats all i give her. She is a very lazy dog and is 1.5 yrs she isnt fixed and i want to eventually breed her . she is only agressive around other dogs, her stool is solid and no throwing up .but like i said not active at all but seems ok except that she is real skinny. I want to know if i can try things or possible over counter meds for worms or other possibilities since i cant afford vet

ANSWER: I am here to tell you the truth and defend our beloved Boxers.

You have no business whatsoever owning a dog IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD A VET!

That is like saying I have a baby, but cannot afford a doctor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If she is 1 1/2 years old and skinny, ribs and hips showing, she has worms, or, she has thyroid problems, or worse.

She NEEDS to see a vet ASAP! And, if it is thyroid, that means buying thyroid medicine and giving her pills every day of her life. If it is worms or something simple, you will have to pay for medicine to rid her of them. Or, if something else is wrong- it will cost.


You certainly have NO business breeding her or any dog! That requires a lot of money in preparation, and an emergency vet on standby if there is an obstructed puppy that requires a C-section. DO NOT BREED HER!

She isn't healthy anyway and should not be breed. She isn't quality breeding.

Re-home her to someone that is able to give her the vet care she needs, as any dog needs. You have no business being a dog owner if you cannot pay for a vet and care for your dog when needed, at minimum, yearly checkups and shots.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: First of all I think I didnt explain properly, I am not saying I wont take her to a vet i am just asking if there is a suggestion on home treatment before i go i just got her and I have never had a boxer so i dont really know if she is small or sick, besides the fact that she is skinny and mellow , she shows no other signs of illness. I am researching thats all. if i go to a vet i want to make sure i am not getting ripped off .also wanted to know how serious it is. she has not dropped it all of sudden , just looking for help on a budget. i can attach a pic

Answer
The lack of weight gain is a sign of a health issue. There is no home remedy to cure that.

It is an underlying problem that is causing the lack of body weight. As I said, it could be a number of things- all requiring a vet.

Thyroid, worms and parasites, heart worms, kidney function, liver function, stomach and gastritis problems, etc.