Too Skinny to Thrive? How This Weimaraner Fought for His Life—Now He Needs a Home
A 4-year-old Weimaraner named Duke was not expected to live to severe neglect when a last-minute intervention gave him a second chance at life. Scheduled for euthanasia at a South Texas shelter because of overcrowding, Duke’s fate changed just two hours before the procedure. A shelter transport reached out to POSO Dog Rescue, who quickly stepped in to save him.
When Duke arrived at the rescue in Boulder, Colorado, he was in critical condition, weighing just 60 pounds—far below the 70-90 pound range typical for a healthy adult male Weimaraner, according to the American Kennel Club. Despite gaining 15 pounds since entering the shelter, Duke was still severely underweight, with his ribs and bones clearly visible. Thanks to the care and dedication of his rescuers, Duke, a purebred Weimaraner, has made a remarkable recovery and now thrives as a healthy, happy dog.
Dog Was Riddled With Ear And Skin Infections
Apart from being extremely emaciated, Duke also had many other health issues. He had serious ear infections and skin infections, which were left untreated. Additionally, he had trauma to his paw as well as his toes. Luckily, his infections have cleared up and his wounds have healed up.
Source: Instagram
The underweight dog was also suffering from heartworm and is undergoing treatment. Yet, if you could see Duke now, you wouldn’t be able to tell that he has suffered so much. As a result of all the medications and steroids required for his treatment, the Weimaraner is now a cheerful dog filled with energy.
Would You Give A Home To This Remarkable Weimaraner?
Duke is currently living in a foster home in Denver, Colorado, where he leads a happy life with his foster fursiblings. But what he needs is a permanent home that can provide him the love and care he deserves.
If you have experience with Weimaraners or hunting dogs, you must consider opening your home to Duke. He is the perfect boy, as he is crate trained, house trained and leash trained. He also knows basic commands like sit, stay, come, and down.
Duke will not pose a problem if you have other dogs since he is dog-friendly. In addition, the dog loves to be with humans, so whatever love you give him, he will return it ten times over.
The canine is not cat-tested and is quite energetic, but does not have the chaotic or destructive energy that is usually associated with puppies.
People interested in adopting him will need to travel to his foster home in Denver to meet him and potentially take him home. Moreover, like all adoptable dogs from POSO Dog Rescue, you’ll receive two free training sessions.
How To Tell If Your Dog Is Underweight?
As dog parents, it’s natural to compare your dog’s physique to other dogs and wonder, “Is my dog underweight?” According to Stephanie Gibeault, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, “Often, a healthy dog should be much leaner than many people think.”
So, if you’re thinking that your dog is skinny or underweight, it might be possible that your dog is actually fit. But then how to tell if a dog is underweight? Let’s find out.
Gibeault says, “A dog who looks too thin is often actually in their ideal body condition. Dogs should have a defined waist when viewed from above and an abdomen that tucks up when viewed from the side. In addition, you should easily be able to feel a dog’s ribs when you run your hands down their sides.”
However, what if your dog’s waist is too defined and their ribs are showing too much? Here are the signs of an underweight dog as per Gibeault:
- Side View: Ribs are clearly visible, with the last rib slightly visible (note: this alone is not always a concern)
- Top View: Multiple ribs are easily seen
- Hip and Spine Area: Hip bones and vertebrae are overly prominent, indicating a thin body.
What To Do If Your Dog Is Underweight?
If you feel that your dog does actually have the signs described above, then increasing their food may not just solve the problem. There can be underlying health conditions that may be hindering your dog from gaining weight. This is why you need to take your dog to the vet. Gibeault remarks, “Extra food won’t cure worms, for example. Depending on the cause of your dog’s weight loss, your veterinarian will guide you on a treatment plan.”
When you’re sure that your dog has no medical condition and is simply emaciated, you can make changes to their diet. However, this is not a green light to simply start overfeeding your dog. When it comes to an underweight dog feeding schedule, veterinarian Dr. T.J. Dunn recommends, “An emaciated dog is best served consuming a small meal every six hours (4 times a day) rather than consuming one or two larger meals.”
Adding, Dr. Dunn states, “A broad-spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement is important to include at each meal.”
