Carbón's Big Adventure (aka Labratour Part IV)

I should have also added that there are good low purine prepared foods (kibble) which can be purchased online in the UK and that it's not a given that Leish dogs even NEED to follow a low purine diet. Many dogs seem to do perfectly fine on a good quality diet, whether homemade or kibble.

A lot depends on the Leish levels, age and overall health of the dog. The low purine is recommended not because of the Leish but because of the normal treatment for low level Leish is Allopurinal (a human gout medication), which can cause painful crystals in the urine. The low purine diet is a way to avoid that happening. At least that's my understanding - I'm still learning.

As I've just doubled Carbon's dose of Allopurinal, I thought it would be a good idea to err on the side of caution and try to keep his fresh diet on the low purine side.

The weird thing was that I tried apple bits as training treats and Carbon gobbled them up. So I thought, "Yay, he likes it" and stuck some in his food. I cut them up in tiny slivers like I used to do for Brogan, because otherwise Brogan would toss out the chunks. Carbon managed to leave just the apple and a fair bit of courgette in the bottom of his bowl, even though everything (including the chicken and fish) had been in tiny bits and well mixed up. That's a talented tongue!

He's really hungry, so I'm just going to keep presenting him with the fresh food and see what happens over the next few days. My guess is that he'll eventually figure out that this is the new normal and he'll eat it. I'll also keep trying some different fruit/veggie options to see what his favorites are.

 

Allopurinal is also used to counter the side effects of some cancer drugs. You just have to watch it as it can lead to over control of kidney function. Don't know if it's the same for dogs.

 

What does that mean? What should I watch out for?

The vet already told me that I need to make sure he keeps drinking a lot and urinating normally as that's often the first sign that his meds may need adjusting. So far so good - no problem with his 'wee' function.

 

Just means the urea and electrolyte s have to.be monitored as they can drop. Allopurinal does make you thirsty but it works well. It's not an expensive drug either.

 

Sounds like your vets got that covered though. I was told to increase my fluid intake when I was on this drug.

 

Oh I’m so happy to see Carbon loving life!

Can’t wait to see what adventures you and Kate have planned for him! X

 

Marvellous - and wonderful to see him in a famous @Emily_BabbelHund bandana!

 

What a great thing to read before going off to work in the morning. Made my day - and good for you x

 

Ah, that's lovely! I thought you said his fur looked dull - it looks beautifully shiny in the video and photo. But now I can see what you mean about him being a little bit overweight, and he is obviously a bit unfit too, not at all surprising after being in the pound so long! I am sure you are both really enjoying each other...

 

His fur is shiny but his skin is flaky and sooooo itchy! Poor guy spends half his time when he's not sleeping, scratching. Hoping the fish oil and better diet will help, but after a week, no improvement.

 

Poor lad; could it have anything to do with the Leish?

 

Oh yes, I noticed this too. Just imagine when he's fit enough to combine all of those mini-zoomies into one long session

 

I asked the shelter vet that and he said it was probably just to do with the shelter food and that once I started cooking for him it should clear up. He's a nice guy, but I'm not sure he's really on top of it, if you know what I mean. Understandable with 90 dogs to care for. If it's not better soon, I'll see if I can take him to my private vet and get another opinion.

 

I am in tears seeing how happy Carbon is and so pleased you have him at the moment and hope you might keep him.

A big thank you to Beanwood for helping you, I don't know exactly how, but was obviously a great support.

 

It's possible he has environmental allergies...or who knows, maybe even food as that takes time to adjust even once the food is changed. Poor boy. Quinn has seasonal allergies and gets very itchy and flaky in the spring and late summer, but coat stays shiny.

I'm so so happy he's out of the shelter!

 

We went to the shelter today to pick up Paul for a couple days. I also got Carbon's test results back and he was weighed. I won't delve into the test results, but turns out he weighs 32 kgs. That's the same exact weight as Brogan, a dog who was 15 cm taller at the shoulder and a good 10cm longer along the topline. I only mention this because when I asked the vet what dangers I should watch out for when trying to get weight off of a Leish dog, he told me he thought Carbon's weight was just fine.



"Have you looked at him?", I asked. Carbon was sitting at his feet at the time. His sloppy sit because his belly is so big he can't sit straight.

Well, after much discussion, what he meant was the his weight was fine, but he needed to replace the fat with muscle. OK then. I still think 32 kgs for a dog that's only 55cm tall is too darn heavy, but I guess we'll just see.

He did say that in the local pound, where Carbon spent his life from 6 months old to just recently (so 12 months in 'prison') there are only small cages so the dogs don't get any exercise at all. That explains the stark lack of muscle tone. But it's also true that when I first started walking him a month ago, he could walk for an hour with no problem. Now he needs to lie down for a rest after about 20 minutes.

End result, I agreed to up his protein intake and continue to try to walk him as much as he'll go. The good news is that he will go a bit further with Paul as competition egging him on, so at least for the next two days we should get some good walks in.

Right now Carbon is out in the garden enjoying the sun and Paul is perched on the back of the sofa fast asleep. Maybe there is a bit of cat mixed in with the Bodeguero?

 

I'm sure his weight will stabilise with the gradual build up of exercise and a good balanced diet. It does sound to me like he is a little on the plump side. I know Charlie is not a full Lab but he is 27 inches to the withers and is under 32kg but he does have the Pointer build.

Bless Carbon he has had a rough start but NOT NOW xx

 

In the spirit of the Labratour, here are some photos from our outing last Saturday to the nature park between Barbate and Caños de Meca (Andalusia). Barbate is a kind of rough and tumble little fishing town, but this walk is spectacular - even including a medieval watchtower, one of many that dot the entire coast around here. Paul was going gangbusters the whole time, but poor Carbon wanted to sit and have a rest. He was a brave little toaster, though, and made it through the whole 2.5 hour walk - albeit with plenty of water breaks!

 

Just look at that scenery! Breathtaking

 

Poor zonked Carbon lol. I'm sure you'll have him summer-ready in no time! That looks like a great walk, what an experience for them both.

*prods* no posed photo in front of the medieval watch tower?