So good to read of all your experience. One of my girls (nearly 4) came in with a bad limp from the garden this morning. She was holding her paw and looking very sorry for herself. I've checked it carefully, and the whole leg, gently extended it, looked between the pads etc, and can't see anything, so am thinking muscle strain. Her larger sister does bowl her over from time to time in sisterly play, but I didn't notice anything like that this morning or even yesterday. I've been resting her all morning and she does seem to be easier on the leg and ok in herself... have a vet's appointment booked tomorrow. Am hoping just a muscle strain.
A sensible approach for your girl. Hope all goes well at the vet tomorrow and that it's just a muscle strain through playing. Please let us know how you get on.
Juno decided she didn't want to play with OH in the garden earlier and crashed out on the kitchen floor instead Fingers crossed for tomorrow
Anna's limp seems worse again now, despite the rest... having said that she was lying quietly in the garden, and must have forgotten about the leg, heard something, jumped up, ears pricked, nose scenting, and shot off after whatever it was ... so now back to square one. Caught me out a bit... had thought that she was being 'sensible' (!) resting, so now have her confined to the house and will walk her in the garden on a lead I think. It's the 'hangdog' expression that gets to me... but, when her food was produced, she was completely normal, very alert, decidedly ready for food (when aren't they?!) and ate well. Hopefully a cooler night (can't believe I'm saying that) and a good rest will help. Has Juno perked up yet now the heat of the day is past? It never fails to surprise me how long labradors can sleep!
We had the X-rays (and spay) today. She had 16 X-rays of knees elbows, hips and shoulders and the vet said he didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. Which is good news I think. But as she is still limping after exercise we are sending the elbow and shoulder X-rays to a specialist for a second opinion. I thought it was ed for sure what with the limp the occasional stiffness and the family history of joint problems but perhsps she has just overdone it. Thank you for all your advice, I know it still me be serious but clear X-rays are a good first sign Although to be honest, at the moment I'm more concerned about our pups recovery from the laparoscopic spay. She's only had her cone on for an hour and she's not happy about it, poor lamb- I hope she gets used to it - they get used to it right?
I hope Tatti has a comfortable night and recovers well from her spay. It's good that the X-rays are being sent to a specialist to look at. I have not experience of a dog and cone, only cats and cone but I would guess some get use to them and others not. Will you be sleeping by her tonight?
Hope Anna gets on well at the vets tomorrow and it's nothing serious. They are such a worry at times.
Always she sleeps in our room - I don't know why we didn't do this from the start- we all get a better nights sleep when we are together
I was just thinking that myself yesterday... they're so precious, and labradors always have that very expressive face, so it compounds the 'hangdog' look! Thankfully, Anna seems fine this morning after a day and a night's rest. Going to see how she does during the day and take it steady.
@NickyW Good to hear that Anna is moving more freely this morning. Keep an eye on her over today and if in any doubt speak to the vet. Juno was fine last night and had a happy hoolie in the garden with OH @Tatti Fingers crossed that the specialist gives the thumbs up on the x-rays. With Juno she only wore the collar after her spay when she had to be left alone, so for us overnight or to pop out shopping. The rest of the time she was collar free as she didn't both about the wound/stitches etc. If you're with her see how she is without. How is she feeling today after GA? With Jun you would never have known she had had an operation, although of course for you there may be some soreness after all the manoeuvring for the x-rays. When are you expecting the verdict from the specialist?
Hi all, it's been a while but I just wanted to say thanks for all your well wishes and advice. X-rays came back clear (confirmed by second opinion) so for now there are no other signs of ED. After the two weeks further restricted exercise following her spay, tatti is walking fine. Hopefully it was just a growing thing or an injury. Still taking it easy as this has all highlighted just how careful you need to be not to over exercise so much more chilled out lead walks now and only one free play a day. She will have to go back to day care (1 day a week) soon but we'll do it slowly (half day a week to miss the big morning walks). Does anyone have an idea of when she will be ok with a 90 min walk? We'd always had 1 year as a point where we'd stop worrying about it but I hear they keep growing until 2 ish??? Thanks again, Lou and tatti
Hi @Tattie, what a relief that must be for you. I'm so, so happy for you Lou, and Tatti of course. Juno used to do 60+minute walks at six months albeit only once a week when we used to do a walk with our trainer and their clients, so there was also a lot of play and chase going on. How old is Tatti now? If you build up to the 90 minutes for a walk I would see no real problem perhaps only once or twice a week to begin with but not on consecutive days. I know that you will monitor her walks anyway and any sign of limp you will rest her, you will need to build up her walks anyway again after her restricted exercise but she is going to be one very happy girl to be able to have a good run, and no doubt a few zoomies to celebrate
You mentioned Jogging? do you take your pup jogging? I'm careful until they are at least 2 (growth plates should be closed then) and them am careful after that too as per my physios instructions. I avoid too much exercise. I never stop worrying about it so I avoid things like jogging its high impact on joints is not good. I am careful about the length of walks and if i think my dog looks tired or has done too much I go home regardless of time. I would build up the length of time for walking slowly as she may take a while to recover. You could try a course of hydro thats always useful in these situations, the input of a good physio is always good too as you can learn ways to help your dog.
Thanks for this. I have tried jogging with her a few times (just 20 mins and I am very slow, she doesn't get faster than a trot). I was told it is a good way to exercise them abs she seems to enjoy it. To be honest, I prefer to just walk her now we've sorted out her pulling problem. She is nearly 10 months now, is a very healthy build but is already nearly 30kg. There's still a lot of excess skin so I think the growing hasn't finished yet :-/ So what I'm taking from this is that there is no real defined point at which it is ok to up the exercise. Keep it gradual and stop when she starts looking tired. I really don't know what that means for daycare. They take the dogs on a 90 min walk in the morning and out for some ball throwing in the afternoon and as it's such a small place it's not possible for her to stay behind :-/ it is just one day a week. If all the signs stay ok over the next couple of months would you say it's prob ok to go back? She loves it and it's the only way I get to go to work (i need to be in the office at least 1 day a week). I cannot think of an alternative as she has never been left alone during the day :-/ Hmm...
@Tatti I would try to build up but would try to stop before she starts looking tired. I built Juno's exercise up by a few minutes (although I did it my distance markers on our walk as to when to turn back for home) at a time on one walk and then extended another walk a week later. I think the day care problem doesn't have a definite answer other than what works for you and Tatti. A common option to doggy day care is to have a dog walker/friends/family who can visit several times to take her for a walk and spend some time with her. If the only option is daycare, other than being left alone all day, that's what you have to work with. It's only one day a week, and if you have built her exercise up I would see no real problems, as long as they are aware of her history and keep a check on her, and that she has rest periods between the walk and the play period in the afternoon. As far as I'm aware there is no evidence regarding what age you can extend their exercise periods and by how much, in reality the "5 minute rule" is only guidance and interpreted differently.
