How would you describe your 9yr old? Are they still puppyish and zooming around or have they become an 'old' dog? I am worried about Lucan, he's just had his 9th birthday and I think he's acting old before his time. Admittedly he has a few health problems going on but they are well controlled and with all his meds he should be feeling comfortable. Visitors and my husband have been calling him an old boy for months now, and then yesterday my 7yr old grandson looked up and said 'Nan, Lucan looks really sad.' TBH he's hit the nail on the head! He does! He stands with his head and tail hanging, he's not very waggy, he looks dull, the only time he gets excited is for food and walks, he very rarely has the zoomies and hardly ever breaks into a gallop. He's booked in for his regular health check on Thursday morning and I'm going to discuss this with his vet but I need to know if this is normal behaviour for a 9yr old Lab.....I think I know what the answer is going to be.
Hi @mandyb I don't have a 9yr old dog so don't have a direct comparator. That said I think all dogs age differently, in much the same way that we do - I know some very sprightly and active 80+yr olds humans. I think, and from all my reading and study, I would be checking and chatting with the vet as there could be something not quite right . You've noticed a lack of enthusiasm, your grandson has said that Lucan looks sad and your description of his body language would suggest that he's not feeling 100% . Fingers crossed for your vet visit.
Has it been very hot were you are I know my 5 year olds been very flat due to the weather. He's picked up now it's got cooler. I know my dogs at this age did slow slightly but they didn't seem sad. Doug had a lot of health problems so when he got to this age i had I am him scanned and blood works ups done, just to check out for hormone problems and growths in his internal organs. This seems to be the age when they are prone to this type of problem. Also I got some good suppliments and see if pain relief for tired old joints help. It's a funny age and it doesnt hurt to he proactive.
Wispa (6) doesn’t like the hot, humid weather either and, although the extreme heat is over, it’s still humid. She’s definitely slowed down and pants more even on short walks if I walk too quickly. However, the vet examined her yesterday during her desensitisation session and said that she’s fine. Apparently lots of dogs have been affected by the heat. I hope all is well with Lucan.
Thanks everyone. I don't think it's the heat as to be honest he's been like this for months and months. He's already on painkillers and Yumove Advance, which have helped enormously, he now gets up and follows me around, is moving a lot easier, is jumping up on the sofa, which he couldn't be bothered to do before, and will also take himself off for a potter around the garden. His IBD is well managed, he's not had a serious flare for quite some while. He's just not right. I'll let you know how we get on tomorrow.
Oh dear... it does sound like something else might be going on, if you have a niggling feeling about Lucan, then maybe you are right. I know we are all completely paranoid about our dogs, but when others corroborate your worries, then it is worth a chat with your vet. Well you know Casper, nearing 10years old, whilst we have some mechanical problems, he is doing well. Very mobile, he gallops around and loves his hoolies. Admittedly he didn't appreciate the heat, it really pulled him down and for the first time, I became aware of his age. His demeanour though changed markedly with the cooler weather. I do hope Lucan is OK, and it just something of nothing x
Tilly slowed down quite a bit by 9. She is 12 now and does not run, only walks or trots. Our first Lab, Ginger became diabetic at 12 and was still very active even at 12 and 13. She lived to 16 so she was on the long lived end of the scale.
Ok, well, no answers at the moment but a plan of action. We are going to give it another month as there's a possibility his Gabapentin is exaggerating his dullness /lethargy by it's sedative effects, which he should get used to after a while. I'm pretty sure she thinks there's something wrong too though, as she's worried he's loosing weight and muscle. If he's lost anymore next month we'll be chatting about blood tests, x-rays and endoscopies. The C word was also mentioned.
I'd go to a vet and check things out. Every dog is different, some are more laid-back, others still act like puppies. Mine was still crazy at 9 and we hiked mountains, regardless of the onset of arthritis. But if my Lab were "sad" or "depressed" I'd definitely check with a vet.
