Male losing weight from bitches in heat

[ABianchi9216]

Hello, I recently purchased a BIG euro Male doberman from a fellow reputable breeder. I put down a deposit on him in September. He was looking great in photos etc. she was planning to use him for a stud & it was agreed I’d get him after pregnancy was confirmed. Fast forward to the days prior to pickup- she mentioned he was stressed due to multiple females in heat & had lost 10lbs. When I picked him up he looked awful, hips protruding. Ribs were skin & bone. Looking at him from the top of his body down his back is sickly thin. **Hes 18 months old*** since he’s come home I’ve been feeding Purina pro plan (his original food) mixed with Science diet canned Beef & Barley. He’s getting 8 cups a day. I also have 3 female Rottweilers in heat.... he’s eating the food like he’s never eaten a day in his life. He’s just NOT GAINING! In addition to his normal feeding, I feed raw meat once a day. Any suggestions??? Satin balls? More food? Small meals during the day?? Also I should mention his poop is mushy! I’ve never dealt with a stressed male like this..... my male Rottweiler looks like a silverback gorilla & this poor Doberman looks emaciated considering his body & head is huge! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Your Rotts like a Silverback. I love it!

Yeah, he is pretty darn skinny there. I see the size of his frame and head like you say.

Poor guy. Stressed out with all those bitches in heat around! Sorry, I can't help but chuckle a bit.

Seriously though. I see a lot of instances of Dobermans these days that are just skinny and not putting on weight. By "see," I mean read about it on here.

My current boy had big problems with being underweight – with ribs, pelvis and vertebrae showing. His poo was also excessive and mushy. My boy has some sort of digestive / g.i. problem or quirk. I never found out what it is, but he is on an even keel right now. I don't know if yours has a g.i. problem too. I have a wonder/theory that this is one of the things that is plaguing the breed these days.

I'd say experiment around with different foods. Strangely, or perhaps ironically, the food that seems to have solved the problem for my boy is what you are on: Pro Plan Sport! Each dog is different.

I'm glad your boy is still intact – at least in terms of his body development. He might wind up too lanky and possibly have bone and joint problems if you neutered him too young. He already looks tall. Of course, you'll just have to be careful he doesn't wind up an unplanned sire!

 

[Antman408]

I’d switch him off Purina and science diet immediately. Look into a complete raw diet, if that’s not something you’d like to do I’d recommend the 2 kibble brands I listed below. He’s also probably really stressed with the bitches in heat and being rehomed. I’d give it a few weeks for him to settle down and to adjust to his new home.

natures logic
Nature's Logic Canine Beef Meal Feast All Life Stages Dry Dog Food, 26.4-lb bag - Chewy.com

Or victor
VICTOR Hi-Pro Plus Formula Dry Dog Food, 40-lb bag - Chewy.com

I personally rotate between a raw diet for a few months then natures logic for a month or so. I’ve had great success with natures logic and I’ve heard good things about victor as well

 

[Tropicalbri's]

Has he been tested for intestinal parasites? Breeding him at 18mos?!? That is crazy.

If he is eating everything you are feeding him and still looks like this, something else is going on. I would get some blood work done and fecal done as well as a UA.

Dobermans are a medium sized breed with height standard of 28”. Is he larger than that?
You might want to give your in heat females some liquid chlorophyll to help with odor not bothering your boy. @GennyB can tell you about that as she has the most experience with using it and is knowledgeable about it.

I am sorry your boy is suffering like this. Is your breeder saying all the weight loss is from females in heat? Has she suggested you get any medical advice and testing to make sure he is clear health wise?

 

[Kaiser2016]

Wow, so your breeder has multiple females in heat AND you have three females in heat? That’s a lot going on! Are you also a breeder? How do you manage so many powerful breeds without any issues of same sex aggression?

 

[Logan 45]

I haven’t seen this in dogs but in my experience with cattle it is not uncommon for a bull to shed 10% of his body weight during breeding season. And as far as kibbles go @Antman408 mentioned 2 good ones I can’t speak from experience with nature’s logic but have fed victor myself. And with all the dcm study’s going around taste of the wild now has grain inclusive formulas. Just fruit for thought.

 

[GennyB]

You might want to give your in heat females some liquid chlorophyll to help with odor not bothering your boy. @GennyB can tell you about that as she has the most experience with using it and is knowledgeable about it.

I do have some experience using chlorophyll. It worked like a charm for us but there are a few tricks to success. Since your girls are already in heat it's too late this round but you might want to look into for next cycle. @ABianchi9216 I'd be more than happy to share more details if your interested. Just ask.