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We have two lovely male danes from the same litter. Now just over 18 months, they were neutered at 6 months. They are both around 33 inches at the shoulder and have had the same diet, exercise, and attention since birth. Doyle weighs 127 lbs and Bodie weighs 100 lbs.

Although Bodie seems fit, active, and healthy we are concerned about his "skin and bone" appearance. He had rabies shots recently and the vet wasn't over concerned--just said that "some dogs are thin". It must be said that their personalities are quite different. Doyle is calm and collected while Bodie is paranoid and neurotic (well, for a Great Dane, he's still a lot calmer than most dogs).

We know that "some dogs are thin" but we wonder if there is any special ailment that afflicts Great Danes.

Advice gratefully received.

Thank you,

KatrinaB

>>We have two lovely male danes from the same litter. Now just over 18 months, they were neutered at 6 months. They are both around 33 inches at the shoulder and have had the same diet, exercise, and attention since birth. Doyle weighs 127 lbs and Bodie weighs 100 lbs.
>>
>>Although Bodie seems fit, active, and healthy we are concerned about his "skin and bone" appearance. He had rabies shots recently and the vet wasn't over concerned--just said that "some dogs are thin". It must be said that their personalities are quite different. Doyle is calm and collected while Bodie is paranoid and neurotic (well, for a Great Dane, he's still a lot calmer than most dogs).
>>
>>We know that "some dogs are thin" but we wonder if there is any special ailment that afflicts Great Danes.
>>
>>Advice gratefully received.
>>
>>Thank you,
>>
>>KatrinaB

>>>>>>>>>>

Bone and joint issues are common in Great Danes and can cause them not to hold their weight. It takes x-rays to diagnose some of those issues. I would be very concerned this dog could bloat, a common cause of death in Great Danes. If your vet doesn't want to do some testing, I'd consider a referral. That's a big weight difference.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Thank you--you have confirmed my feeling that something is amiss. Bodie seems absolutely fine, but he is VERY thin. I've read all about bloating and make sure they have several smaller meals a day etc. I didn't fancy the stomoch pinning operation. I'll talk to my vet again. General consensus has been that "he'll fill out" at around two years old. But Doyle is filling out now (at 21 mths) and is a much more solid dog.

Best wishes,

KatrinaB

>>Thank you--you have confirmed my feeling that something is amiss. Bodie seems absolutely fine, but he is VERY thin. I've read all about bloating and make sure they have several smaller meals a day etc. I didn't fancy the stomoch pinning operation. I'll talk to my vet again. General consensus has been that "he'll fill out" at around two years old. But Doyle is filling out now (at 21 mths) and is a much more solid dog.
>>
>>Best wishes,
>>
>>KatrinaB

>>>>>>>>>>>>

If I had a Great Dane, I would have a surgery to secure against bloat. I'd have to research which surgical specialist to use, but the risk of death from gastric torsion in that breed is so high that I would take this precaution. Most genetic diseases don't have such straightforward protection you can do. I would take advantage of it. Dogs die very, very quickly from gastric torsion. It's a nightmare.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

I didn't see if you mentioned if there were any digestive problems? If the stools become consistently soft and light colored, you might consider testing for EPI (exocrine pancreatic insufficiency).

http://www.raca-danes.com/genetics.html

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1580&articleid=331
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1580&articleid=331

Thank you. I will look into this possibility. I read the description and Bodie has some of the symptoms. He does eat a lot more than his heavier sibling--but not as if he's starving to death.

If it's an enzyme deficiency, it will most likely get worse as he ages -- there are varying degress. There can also be other enzyme deficiencies that aren't technically EPI (such as low lipase). If it's just leanness because he's still young, then he should fill out eventually.