Posted: 5/20/2011 6:58:39 PM EDT
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I have a lab/golden mix that is getting to be considered elderly. We have been trying to get her losing weight but just doesn't seem to be working. I know she needs to lose 15lbs or so but can't get it done!
Well, now she's started limping on her back right leg. It started about 2 or 3 weeks ago and it really bugs her when she starts walking. She does limp on it slightly full time but primarily upon startup. She'll kinda carry the leg for a couple steps then use it to support her weight. She also sits down carefully. She gets walked off leash and still goes walking with us on our 1 mile nightly walk. Since she does this on her own choosing, I find it hard to believe that it's painful. She also has the thrust to get herself into the backseat of the jeep. I'm not sure if it's an injury or arthritis/dysplasia/ other. I find it hard to believe that it's old age related since it just popped up out of nowhere. About 7 weeks ago we moved her to my parents house where I'll be staying this summer and she play wrestles with the neighbors dobe and bernard/pitt mix. I think she very easily could have hurt it then. This move coincided with new food. I switched from alpo to Diamond Senior. What do you guys think? Age related or injury? I won't be able to get her by the vet until the middle of the week but like I said, it doesn't seem painful. |
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If it came out of nowhere, I'd guess it is an injury, especially with her playing with the dobie and such. With my dogs, if it's really bothering them, it's pretty obvious, but dogs can be stoic and may hide pain very well. I've had our dogs limp around a little bit just from tweaking something by tripping into a hole they dug in the back yard.
A vet can xray for hip problems, arthritis, etc. and even prescribe anti-inflamitories that might help (even without the expense of an x-ray set). I wouldn't immediately freak out about hip issues though, since your dog doesn't have a history of issues. I'm be thinking injury first. Glucosamine might help and may not be a bad idea (Make sure you buy good stuff, maybe Glycoflex or some other monitored brand) Of course, limiting movement could help in the recovery as well. As for the weight issue. It can be hard to get animals to loose weight, but it's really just a matter of calorie intake reduction. Just cut back on the food. It can take a long time (1-2 years) at least it did for our cat. Your dog eats what you give her, just cut back and be patient. |
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Quoted:
How old is the pet? How do you know that she needs to lose 15lbs? How long have you been changing her diet? What is she eating? Does she get exercise? FB She's maybe 9 or 10. We are the third family to have her so timeline is vague. Vet told us she weighed 90 and wanted her between 70 and 75. That was about 5lbs ago. Changed her diet a couple months back but took away scraps and lessened portions couple years ago. She eats 3.5 cups of Diamond Senior Large Breed a day. She can play all she wants with the neighbors dogs and we do a mile walk every night. |
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Quoted: Quoted: How old is the pet? How do you know that she needs to lose 15lbs? How long have you been changing her diet? What is she eating? Does she get exercise? FB She's maybe 9 or 10. We are the third family to have her so timeline is vague. Vet told us she weighed 90 and wanted her between 70 and 75. That was about 5lbs ago. Changed her diet a couple months back but took away scraps and lessened portions couple years ago. She eats 3.5 cups of Diamond Senior Large Breed a day. She can play all she wants with the neighbors dogs and we do a mile walk every night. As for her age sometimes canines can hide their age. She could be older and exhibiting natural symptoms. One year for a ten year old dog is 10% or more of its life. Fire your Vet and find a new one. Dropping 20lbs off of a dog is ... I'll stay CoC compliant ... find a new vet! Scraps are hard on today's domesticated pets so good move on your part. Diamond is an EXCELLENT kibble. You may want to add glucosamine as a supplement. Depending upon the age ( we're not sure ) that much exercise may be too much. When my boys get older I just let them lay. My last Lab passed at 14 because he didn't know he was old. |
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I would suggest seeing a regular vet first, and an ortho vet if needed. Orthos cost a bit more, but do catch things that regular vets won't.
Get the extra weight off, she should be nice and trim. 20 pounds to a dog is a LOT of weight. Get ready for antiinflammatories. Meloxicam is much cheaper than Rimadyl, and works just as well. Also, get ready for glucosamine. Costco has the best price on it. |