Walking difficulties

Discussion in 'Senior Labradors' started by Atemas, Apr 10, 2017.

  1. SwampDonkey

    SwampDonkey Registered Users

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    I use that food for Moo she likes it and is keeping her weight under control . It was really hard to find one she would eat she really hated some I tried
     
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  2. Atemas

    Atemas Registered Users

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    I was really pleased Sky likes the Symply as she had been on her other food for years. The puppy Red has Symply Puppy Turkey and Rice so Sky gets to have some of that when I am training/playing games with them both - I buy a bag of the small kibble and try to ensure Sky only gets small amounts. I am tempted to reduce Sky's daily allowance - she is on 240g a day but I think this would be hard and the vet nurse said this amount was ok. Will be back at the Vets for a reweigh in a few weeks time.
     
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  3. Atemas

    Atemas Registered Users

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    Update on Sky's weight and arthritis. She has lost 200g this month so that's 600g altogether in 2 months. I felt disappointed it wasn't more but the vet nurse was happy with that and we'll go back in a months time. The vet nurse said she will be happy with her losing 800g more so we'll steadily get that off. I can see a bit more of Sky's waistline and her coat is very glossy so I know her diet is fine. She still only does the one walk a day but she swims in the dyke and I think now at 10 years that walk is satisfactory for her (she now has the puppy Red for company :rolleyes:). She is more active the rest of the day than she was pre puppy as she gets 3 kongs alongside the puppy and a few games which she gets so excited about. I do find it funny that she chooses to join in Red's training in the garden 'cos she knows there will be food rewards and the training is sharpening up her responses so that's all good. I think the daily Rheumocam for her arthritis helps a lot too. There are days when she is happy to have Red around a lot and days when she is not so keen so we just keep them separate then and make sure they both get attention. They both settle beautifully together now in the evening :).
     
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  4. Atemas

    Atemas Registered Users

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    Sky has lost another 400g - just taken her to see the vet nurse. She is now 26.4kg which is a good steady loss overall from the 28kg she was in February. You can really see her waistline. On the advice of the vet, they recommend we start to reduce her Rheumocam dosage each week and then review when I take her next month. They have said to ring them if any concerns in the meantime. Sky was very active whilst on holiday - she swam in the sea, ran along the beaches, walked miles including climbing (we live in the flat fens) - she loves our camping holidays and seemed happy to have puppy Red there too - it's a joy to watch her :).
     
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  5. SwampDonkey

    SwampDonkey Registered Users

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    That's really good:) she seems to be really enjoying her life.
     
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  6. charlie

    charlie Registered Users

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    Well done Sky that's very good :) x
     
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  7. Atemas

    Atemas Registered Users

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    Aah yes she is @SwampDonkey - lovely to see her on top form - she's such a lovely dog :).
     
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  8. Atemas

    Atemas Registered Users

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    Sky has lost 300g in the last few weeks - not a lot but still a loss. We have also reduced her Rheumocam dosage as per vet's instructions. She is good but we will monitor closely to make sure she is not in any pain or discomfort. She is now spending all day everyday with the puppy Red and they have a good routine of walks, sleep, food, games.
     
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  9. MF

    MF Registered Users

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    What a relief that it has all worked out so well. Well done on all your hard work and perseverance! I've enjoyed reading your updates.
     
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  10. Atemas

    Atemas Registered Users

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    On the advise of the vet, we have just upped her Rheumocam dose a bit as Sky has been walking a bit stiffly. Will monitor and report back to Vets next week.
     
  11. leejane

    leejane Mum to the Mooster

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    @Atemas we play around a little with Monty's rheumocam dose - the max would be 28 for his current weight, but if he seems to be moving well I bring it down to between 22.5 and 25. I've found the summer difficult, as he flags in the heat and I sometimes can't work out if he's too hot, or is a bit stiff (that sounds silly but he seems to run hot all the time) but when we get to mid September and the days are consistently cooler, I'm going to bring it back down again whenever possible. Fortunately the vets are happy for me to do this, the aim being as low a dose as possible without putting him in unnecessary discomfort.
     
  12. Atemas

    Atemas Registered Users

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    Yes @leejane, this is our aim with Sky. I am so pleased at the way the vet nurse is liasing with the vet and us to get the right doseage so she is not in pain and has maximum mobility. This includes the weight management. I am finding this monitoring process very helpful.

    Just a sideline - I have arthritis too and it has been particularly painful during the hot weather - as we go into autumn I am hoping it might not be so intense but we will see ;).
     
  13. Atemas

    Atemas Registered Users

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    Sky's Rheumocam doseage has been upped a bit more - seems about right at the moment and she is moving a bit better. Still very 'up' for playing with Red a couple of times a day. I am going to monitor her very carefully as we go into the cooler weather and will consider hydrotherapy for her if necessary.
     
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  14. Karen

    Karen Registered Users

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    Glad to hear Sky is doing so well
     
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  15. SwampDonkey

    SwampDonkey Registered Users

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    Brilliant she's doing so well. I used hydrotherapy for my oldest dog it did him so much good and he really enjoyed it. He loved the people there and just I think something just for him. When I took the puppy he was horrified swimming was just for him and he didn't want the young upstart there.
     
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  16. Atemas

    Atemas Registered Users

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    Sky is now 25.8kg - she was 28kg in April. By religiously weighing her food every day, the weight loss has been small amounts and steady. Couldn’t see vet nurse today as she had been called to an emergency but know she will be happy. Initially she said target weight of 25kg and then more latterly she had been saying 26kg. Sky is a small Labrador. I shall continue to weigh her food and have her weighed monthly to maintain this. Really pleased :).
     
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  17. Atemas

    Atemas Registered Users

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    Sky is now 25.4kg so another loss of 400g. She is still doing her three and a half mile walk with DH and Red first thing. Her coat is in a fantastic condition - very glossy and shiny. The Rheumocam really helps her. I also think having a puppy in the house has made a difference to her for the better (never thought I’d say that :)).
     
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  18. Beanwood

    Beanwood Registered Users

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    Wow! That's amazing. What an inspiration you are! :)
     
  19. Atemas

    Atemas Registered Users

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    She is an amazing dog - love her :).
     
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  20. Boogie

    Boogie Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    :dancesheep:
     

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