<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><DIV>Julie,</DIV>
<DIV>I am going through the same thing with our new foster, Freddie who also needs to lose about 15-20 lbs. I did a full senior panel to make sure that every thing is okay. Since he is on a grain free kibble, I started him on 1 1/4 c. of kibble with one piece of lean natural beef jerky a day. He will be going for weekly weights at the clinic and I will cut his food by 1/8 cup until he starts to steadily lose. I do add raw carrots to his meals, which won't add any weight. Dogs cannot process raw vegetables because their system cannot break down the cellulose wall. </DIV>
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<DIV> Everyone in the family and visitors has to be onboard with the diet or it will fail. I let my family and friends know Freddie is on a diet. I actually go as far as tell them if they give him a unapproved snack then they are shortening his life and his chances for adoption. I know alot of the houndies are going to call me a bad slave but Freddie is such a love and he deserves a wonderful home. Besides I am tired of hearing him called a "Fat Boy" by my daughter. </DIV>
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<DIV>Yes thyroid can be a problem even if the coat looks good. Tucker (ATB) had a low thyroid and no hair loss. The only change was that his coat had a bit of a rough (stiff) feel around the upper back area. </DIV>
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<DIV>We are sending MacKenzie Weight Loss Drool. </DIV>
<DIV>Karen and The Dog House Gang</DIV>
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