Content
- Symptoms of a Malnourished Dog
- go to the vet
- Feeding the malnourished dog
- Other care for a malnourished dog
- Make periodic visits to the veterinarian
Malnutrition can be defined as a generalized deficit of nutrients and its causes can be several, such as an infestation by intestinal parasites or a syndrome of malabsorption of nutrients, however, most cases of malnutrition occur in abandoned dogs.
Welcoming an abandoned dog at home is one of the most rewarding actions we can take and it is known from the experience of several owners that these animals later show an infinite gratitude.
However, you should know that a malnourished dog presents a very serious situation that requires all your attention, that's why in this article by PeritoAnimal we talk about the care and feeding a malnourished dog.
Symptoms of a Malnourished Dog
The most characteristic trait of a malnourished dog is its extreme thinness. We can observe a zero amount of fat and muscle mass, and consequently, the bony structures can be easily observed.
However, there are also other symptoms that a malnourished dog can have:
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- dull fur
- Flaky skin and hairless body areas
- lethargy and weakness
go to the vet
Veterinary care is a priority when we are treating a malnourished dog, since some cases are so serious that it should be resorted to rehydration and even the parenteral nutrition, ie, intravenously.
The veterinarian will also determine the existence of other diseases that may have been caused by malnutrition and will establish whether there is any specific nutritional deficit that predominates over others, which should be taken into account for subsequent dietary treatment.
Feeding the malnourished dog
Overfeeding an undernourished dog is a serious mistake as the digestive system is not prepared for overfeeding and this can result in a wide range of gastrointestinal symptoms.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals recommends use a high-end puppy food, regardless of whether we are treating an adult dog, since this type of food is richer in calories and nutrients and is absolutely necessary in the treatment of a malnourished dog. During the first days of treatment it is advisable to mix the dry food with wet food, in this way increasing the water content but also the fat content.
The food rations should be moderate but frequent, and ideally, the dog has 4 meals of food daily. It will also be a priority that you always have at your disposal clean and fresh water.
Other care for a malnourished dog
Due to the low percentage of body fat of a malnourished dog, it will have great difficulties to maintain its body temperature, therefore, it will need a lot of help. This implies that you must have a warm and comfortable space such as a bed with several blankets at your disposal.
It is important that the malnourished dog can easily absorb all the nutrients it is receiving. For improve digestive tract function one of the best options is to start a probiotic treatment for dogs.
Make periodic visits to the veterinarian
Not only is it important that the dog initially has a veterinarian evaluation, it will also be essential that until the dog regains an optimal body weight it can periodically go to the veterinarian.
The purpose of these periodic visits is the supervision of nutritional treatment and its adaptation in cases where the animal's response is not the most adequate for its recovery after having been given the necessary care and feeding.
