rzs
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Post by rzs on Jul 2, 2008 11:44:34 GMT -5
... should you be able to see?
I am thinking that Spike is getting quite pudgy but when he went for his vacs the vet said that he was a good weight, not too fat and not too thin but I'm not that convinced to be honest. I think he might be more of a good "dog" size than sighthound size. The vet also said that he had a slight heart murmur (although nothing to worry about!!) so I am especially concerned about his weight as I don't want to put any excess strain on his heart. I have been cutting back on his food a bit for a while but he's not looking any trimmer. You can't see any of his ribs clearly, though there is a slight hint that he does actually have some. You can see a couple of back bumps though.
Ruby on the other hand, until recently, I thought was too thin. At the moment I think she's probably about right. Her last 2 ribs show pretty clearly and you can see about 4 of her back bumps.
Is there a rule of thumb that says how many ribs should show in a greyhound/ v greyhoundy lurcher? Or a BMI type thing of a hound x high to the shoulder should weigh between y & z kgs?
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Post by Nettie on Jul 2, 2008 14:21:53 GMT -5
Generally it is accepted that you should be able to see the last two ribs and a hint of their pin bones (two bones on their rumps). Hope that helps. Don't worry too much about the heart murmur, as long as its not serious there shouldn't be any problem, just have it checked every now and again. If it gets serious then there is medication that can be given.
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Post by kirstyandstuart on Jul 2, 2008 14:52:12 GMT -5
Oh dear, my Royal in trouble! Can see her ribs if she laying on her back!  Domino a perfect weight (she was ony 20 something kg when we got her) but she eats like a horse!!!! ;D My view, as long as they still healthy their weight not an issue!!!!  Actually that my philosophy for me and OH too! ;D |
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Post by loopylou on Jul 2, 2008 15:00:57 GMT -5
I'm having the same issue with Suggs I can just see two ribs if I peer and no pin bones.Two Greyhound savvy vets have assured me he's not fat as he is very muscley and strongly built.I too have reduced his food and also found fields  so he gets lots of off lead running but seems to stay the same weight apart from his tummy seems to tuck up a bit more now.I am now cutting down on treats although he really only has a few gravy bones but I guess they add up and also going to reduce his sardine intake which have worked wonders for his coat but I suspect may well be the culprit.I'd say go with your instinct although if the vet thinks the weights ok just try and reduce it a little and see how he is .Good luck |
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Post by annar on Jul 2, 2008 15:13:48 GMT -5
im a believer of greyhounds been slightly lighter rather than heavier if anything (obviously i try to keep them just right as nettie described) , sadly weight is an issue in hounds as their legs are so fragile, they are not meant to carry excess weight, two of my oldies are quite unsteady on their legs so i make double sure that they are not carrying excess weight to aggrevate this, i hate to see heavy greyhounds, it must be so uncomfortable for them, they are greedy dogs so its pretty easy for them to get slightly podgy if not careful. anna.x.
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Post by Princess C on Jul 2, 2008 15:25:50 GMT -5
Like Anna, I'd rather see the older ones slimmer than not, but it isn't an exact science unfortunately. Matilda, who is 12, has dilated cardiomyopathy (heart disease basically) and ventrical arrhythmia, so although her pin bones and spine are prominent, she has the tell-tale slightly distended abdomen  in spite of all the meds...older ones also sag a bit in the middle, bless 'em ;D |
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Post by Flaperoo on Jul 2, 2008 15:38:28 GMT -5
I was always advised to keep them no more than 2kgs above their racing weight, if that is known. My Flash is actually 2 kgs below his racing weight and looks just about ok at 30kgs. He is however nearly 8 and has lost some of his muscle tone since we got him so that could all be a factor. Peggy is just greedy and I have to supervise feeding because she would nick everone else's food, but she is a good weight at 26kgs. Roo is skinny in my view, despite getting loads of food, but he has historically wasted so much energy on worrying about things he doesn't need to worry about  . Don't get paranoid about counting ribs and pelvic/back humps, but I do agree with Anna, greyhounds as they get older do not get much enjoyment out of life if they carry weight. Mary X |
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Post by Lisa on Jul 2, 2008 15:40:33 GMT -5
Does Spike go off lead? If so I can catogorically state that all the greyhounds I meet who look fat are the ones that go off leash regularly They are only built for short distances and I find the ones who have good off lead mooching about just seem to build up more and muscle on top of muscle. What weight is he and what height? |
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Post by Princess C on Jul 2, 2008 16:03:28 GMT -5
Does Spike go off lead? If so I can catogorically state that all the greyhounds I meet who look fat are the ones that go off leash regularly They are only built for short distances and I find the ones who have good off lead mooching about just seem to build up more and muscle on top of muscle. Matilda sends Auntie Lisa big slobbery toofless snogs and says thank for sticking up for her 'Jimmy the Kebab' like figure - t'was all that pub food in their past! ;D |
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rzs
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Post by rzs on Jul 3, 2008 12:39:55 GMT -5
Hi thanks for the replies. Unfortunately he doesn't go off lead. He goes for quite long walks but only gets to run about a little bit in the garden (when he feels like it) and so isn't very muscley. I've just measured and weighed them (in a not desperately accurate fashion - OH standing on scales holding them). Spike is approx 25.5 ins high and weighs in at 27.5kgs and is 4ish. Ruby is 25 ins and 25.5 kgs, she's just turned 2. Most days I do find myself staring at them and veering between thinking they are OK and too thin/fat. To say they are quite similar in height and not too far apart in weight they do look very different. Maybe I should try to get that extra 2kg off Spike? I'm feeding them both Supadog Sensitive and they are doing really well on it - good poos and glossy coats. Ruby does have a very sensitive tummy and gets the runs on anything else but Spike doesn't have the same problems. I just have them both on the same for ease. I wonder if it's too easily digested for Spike and he should go back to a "normal food" because if I keep reducing the amount any more I worry he might be hungry cos his belly's empty even if his body condition is good if you know what I mean? Does that even make sense or am I just talking out of my a*se here? |
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Post by Nettie on Jul 3, 2008 12:49:52 GMT -5
If you're worried Spike is hungry and not getting enough bulk then tinned green beans help with bulk but have almost no calories.
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rzs
I'm New Here
Posts: 44
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Post by rzs on Jul 5, 2008 3:13:07 GMT -5
Thanks, I'll try that.
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Post by LurcherGirl on Jul 21, 2008 7:17:48 GMT -5
I like to see a hint of their two last ribs and our dogs are what I feel is the perfect weight. I don't like seeing fat dogs, but with sighthounds, I must admit, I'd rather err on the side of a pound too heavy than too skinny. When Flash was ill, he looked like a skeletton within just 3 days of not eating properly! You can imagine what a sorry sight he was after being ill for 3 weeks... That's the times when you wished he was a bit heavier to start off with!
Of course, I am not letting my dogs get overweight just in case they get really ill, but I certainly won't let them go super skinny either - as I said, seeing a hint of the last couple of ribs and seeing the ribs play under their skin when moving... but no bones sticking out!
Vera
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