mzza111
New member
I feel kind of dumb asking this but in the last 6 months my bulldog has gotten fat but only in her belly area. This is long but I really don't know what to do.
I adopted Gypsy in May 2013 and I think she was around 4 years old. Since I've had her, other than allergies (grass and peas), she hasn't had any major medical issues.
In April/May 2014 I finally found a dog food that did not wreak havoc on Gypsy's skin. I'm convinced she is allergic to peas. I switched her from TOTW to Natural Balance Rabbit & Potato. It has been wonderful! The sores on her feet and chin have completely cleared up and she no longer has the horrible gas that she used to have. During this time she was getting 3/4 cup of kibble in the morning and again at night. She also gets some sort of veggies (broccoli, carrots, or green beans) at lunch time. Occasionally she gets a treat in the later evening which is usually bananas.
A few months ago I noticed her belly area getting big so I lowered her kibble to 1/2 cup in the morning and again at night. Over Christmas break, I realized she hasn't gotten any smaller and her bones in her spine seem more prominent. Her pot belly resembles a pregnant dog but she is fixed and hasn't been around a male dog so I'm 1000% positive she is not pregnant.
She has not changed in any other way. She is still a food fanatic, she still poops & pees the same, she still plays the same, she is still the same amount of lazy, etc. I can gently press on her belly and she is not in any pain.
About a year ago she just quit taking walks. She is very food motivated but she wouldn't walk even for treats! I refuse to drag her down the sidewalk so I gave up on walking and won't force the issue. So, she doesn't get a lot of exercise. We play in the house and outside but overall, she's not moving a whole lot. I work full time so she pretty much sleeps all day.
I started googling last night and now I'm kind of freaked out. Other than a pot belly, she has NO symptoms of Cushings Disease or roundworms. These were the only two things that kept coming up when I googled "my dog has a pot belly". I have been digging thru her poop today and there are no signs of worms.
Is this just the fact that she needs to go on a diet? Do I lower her kibble even more? Should I change her food again?
I'm sure the recommendation is to take her to the vet but I feel kind of dumb doing this. What exactly do I tell him? Do I ask for an X-ray? Do you have him run a bunch of tests? Gypsy HATES the vet and I don't want to traumatize her unnecessarily.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Ami
I adopted Gypsy in May 2013 and I think she was around 4 years old. Since I've had her, other than allergies (grass and peas), she hasn't had any major medical issues.
In April/May 2014 I finally found a dog food that did not wreak havoc on Gypsy's skin. I'm convinced she is allergic to peas. I switched her from TOTW to Natural Balance Rabbit & Potato. It has been wonderful! The sores on her feet and chin have completely cleared up and she no longer has the horrible gas that she used to have. During this time she was getting 3/4 cup of kibble in the morning and again at night. She also gets some sort of veggies (broccoli, carrots, or green beans) at lunch time. Occasionally she gets a treat in the later evening which is usually bananas.
A few months ago I noticed her belly area getting big so I lowered her kibble to 1/2 cup in the morning and again at night. Over Christmas break, I realized she hasn't gotten any smaller and her bones in her spine seem more prominent. Her pot belly resembles a pregnant dog but she is fixed and hasn't been around a male dog so I'm 1000% positive she is not pregnant.
She has not changed in any other way. She is still a food fanatic, she still poops & pees the same, she still plays the same, she is still the same amount of lazy, etc. I can gently press on her belly and she is not in any pain.
About a year ago she just quit taking walks. She is very food motivated but she wouldn't walk even for treats! I refuse to drag her down the sidewalk so I gave up on walking and won't force the issue. So, she doesn't get a lot of exercise. We play in the house and outside but overall, she's not moving a whole lot. I work full time so she pretty much sleeps all day.
I started googling last night and now I'm kind of freaked out. Other than a pot belly, she has NO symptoms of Cushings Disease or roundworms. These were the only two things that kept coming up when I googled "my dog has a pot belly". I have been digging thru her poop today and there are no signs of worms.
Is this just the fact that she needs to go on a diet? Do I lower her kibble even more? Should I change her food again?
I'm sure the recommendation is to take her to the vet but I feel kind of dumb doing this. What exactly do I tell him? Do I ask for an X-ray? Do you have him run a bunch of tests? Gypsy HATES the vet and I don't want to traumatize her unnecessarily.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Ami