Re: Bit worried.... awh poor charlie, they are a worry hope he is better soon......the exercise i would just do 30 mins a day nothing more,.....just thinking about his elbows and hips, after what jasper is going through
Re: Bit worried.... Angela - the high value treats are definitely an issue, I swap them gram for gram with kibble - hence getting more interested in the energy value of what he gets. I'll have a think what to do, we are just starting stop whistle, so really wanted some high value treats. It might be best to do the training now, while I have time, and cut back more later. Or just cut out his meals completely! It is interesting about his build. He has a waist, his tummy slopes up at the back, I can feel his ribs. But he has this "padding" on his back and neck. He has always had it, he came with it! The breeder told me that her vet says her dogs are too fat, but she disagrees with him. But I don't want to fall into the trap of saying "oh he is from show lines, they are chunky". If he is fat, he's fat! I'll take some more pics and post them (I did some last week but the disk messed up). Lynne - very conscious of the potential joint problems, yes, it's a balance to be made...
Re: Bit worried.... julie, jasper is 31 kilo and not one vet as told me he his over weight, they have estimated 37 kilo,......with only 2 x 15 mins lead walks, i will have to start watching his weight, oh what a worry
Re: Bit worried.... Julie, really sorry that Charlie's ear has still not cleared up, that's been going on a long time poor little boy. Helen x
Re: Bit worried.... Thanks Helen - 12 weeks, 10 vet consultations, 2 courses of antibiotic ear drops, one booked and cancelled general anesthetic, 3 bags of saline, 18 syringes and needles, 2 courses of oral antibiotics, now another course of ear drops....sick of it! The money doesn't really matter, but just as a measure, this single ear has now cost just short of what the pup did!
Re: Bit worried.... Julie, good grief I feel for you and Charlie poor little guy Have you used the same Vet each time? maybe worth a second opinion to really get to the bottom of this ear problem. About 2 years ago Hattie didn't like have her right ear touched at all, the Vet couldn't see anything. I moved to a rural Vet (now closed) took her there and she immediately saw Hattie had a very deep ear infection, strong antibiotics and no problem until 3 weeks ago, so not bad for a hairy floppy eared girl!! I really, really hope he gets rid of this as havig sore ears is really miserable, but he does seem to be a happy and very adventurous little man Helen xx
Re: Bit worried.... On my 3rd vet... at least this one seems to know what he is doing... It doesn't seem to bother Charlie too much - I just have to stop him scratching it, which I do about 10 times a day. I'm worried really about not getting it cleared up and it causing more serious problems.
Re: Bit worried.... Is it normal for an ear infection to take this long and this amount of treatment? Does your vet have any opinions about this? Hattie's redness has gone so I am going to start using the Thornit Heidrun recommended and hopefully keep it under control. You will get to the bottom of it I am sure. Helen x
Re: Bit worried.... The vet today (Kate's vet, who was a very sensible competent person) said it was just a mystery - he said the ear seemed normal (apart from the infection) - there were no ear mites or fleas, he couldn't say why the infection wasn't clearing up.... If he confirms the ear drum is still intact next week (he has already said today it looks fine), I might just try thornit...
Re: Bit worried.... Have you read up on Thornit?, haven't seen a negative review but if Charlie doesn't have ear mites I'm not sure, have a good read and make your mind up it seems to be a great none antibiotic alternative which I am more than willing to try. Ask the Vet about it and see what she says. Good luck Helen x
Re: Bit worried.... I feel for you with the ongoing ear saga! Glad he is much brighter though Really, don't feel bad about feeding him less. Some dogs do really need very little. Labs can be very 'good doers' - just looking at food makes them put on weight! We are always having to watch Obi's weight. It feels mean to cut down on food but the real unkindness is to let them put on weight. When Charlie turns to the left or right you should be able to see an impression of the last two ribs on the opposite side (so, he bends left, you should see evidence of the last two right ribs). Don't use show labs as your guide - to be honest, many of them are on the portly side. Also don't go on number of kilos compared to other dogs - they are all a different build and 28kg for one Lab would be malnourished while for another it'd be obese. Go on the way he feels and looks.
Re: Bit worried.... Yes re earlier post Lady is very small for a Lab and is 28kg - ideal weight we think is 27kg. Her brother on the other hand is 38kg without an ounce of excess fat. Yes go by looks and feel rather than weight.
Re: Bit worried.... Glad you got on well with David, our Vet, he is a man of few words but what he does say is good , have known him as our Vet for over 25 years now Julie and trust him 100%, his partner Claire is also great and adores Labs
Re: Bit worried.... They really are all so different Julie, Hattie is 25 kg and bigger than a Labrador and is spot on and as fit as a butcher's dog and she is nearly 6 yrs, but I do have to keep an eye on her weight . Charlie is a very tall slim lad and is 28 kg (should be 30 kg ish) and is currently under weigh. As Heidrun and many other experienced owners have said to me it's not what's on the food packet that counts it's how your dog looks and feels, so now if Charlie is looking thin, which he is at the moment I up his intake. I agree about it's worse to have an over weight dog as it reduces their quality of life. Labradors love food but they don't always need so much of it ;D Helen xx
Re: Bit worried.... Kate you are a hidden trick that the Cornish Tourist Board is missing!Lovely walks,beauty spots,cafe recommendations and even a trustworthy reliable vet...... ;D
Re: Bit worried.... A big thank you to Kate, for sure! Well, we had a "talk" last night, and OH has agreed to stick to the programme - so there is now a jar of kibble and sea biscuits weighed out each morning in the kitchen, and when it's gone, that's it for the day! And no filling up pockets or treat bags from the store...hopefully, that will control things a bit better.
Re: Bit worried.... I love those 'talks'......oh we've had a few ourselves!you will crack it Julie,I think he's a lovely looking dog
Re: Bit worried.... Hubby keeps feeding off our plates which makes me so mad! Yesterday he gave her a bit through the serving hatch, as she was jumping up on the counter! :
Re: Bit worried.... feeding off plates is a big no in my house,.....he jumps up on the counters, i hate it
