Hi all, Roger is still overweight - he fails all the checks you can do, both visual and physical (ala ribs, shape of tummy) and he also looks fat. I think he's currently 40kg and was 45 apparently but I think he was more. He is 5, and we have rescued him and he has already lost weight with the foster career from the animal welfare league. I reckon he was not getting exercise for a long time. We have him on a sensible vet recommended diet and don't want to, nor need to, get his weight down too fast, we will simply control his calories sensibly, with a breakfast and dinner and sparing use of suitable treats while we work on his discipline which has also been a bit lacking but gee he is a well behaved boy when he is given a lead and set clear expectations. Quite amazing how ready he is to please. So, he's getting two 30-40 minute walks a day and some time to play at the dog park which he loves but I can see he's not fit or light enough to play the way he should. Now a couple questions come up that I can't get satisfactory answers to from my research... 1. He has lots of loose skin, belly and neck and chest and whilst I know this is common in these breeds I do wonder how much is due to possible recent rapid weight loss (or even no so rapid) and when dogs suffer skin looseness from weight loss does it resolve itself in time and to what extent? This is a hard topic to research because the one thing the internet has more of than porn is weight loss "stuff" (and nonsense) 2. The only sign of anything that might not be simply resolved I think is that he has ectropia in both eyes. Not terribly bad but definitely his eyelids are drooping away from the eye globe in some head postures. I've read a bit but again can't see if it resolves if it is a result of weight loss from the head. I don't have any photos I can put up yet guys but some guidance and ideas are welcome He had a vet check before we got him and apart from being overweight apparently he's I great shape. His coat is magnificent and eyes bright and clear, he has a good appetite despite obviously being rehomed for the second time in a month and probably quite dazed. He is responding to all the love from us, especially the kids and will be very happy with us I know, We will get him to our vet probably in the next couple of weeks for a checkup and once we have been able to observe him and let him settle in. Will
Re: Question about weight loss I haven't ever had a really overweight Lab but certainly loose skin round the neck and chest are normal. Loose skin round the abdominal area would be a sign of recent weight loss. I'd expect that loose skin in that area will tighten up with time, at least to some degree. The ectropic lower eyelids are very unlikely to be related to weight loss but are an inherited characteristic. Labs should not have droopy lower eyelids but some breeders are allowing them to creep in. Just watch for any redness or irritation due to the exposed membranes. Might need eye drops now and then to flush any irritants out or he might be absolutely fine. Sounds like he is basically a healthy boy who will nevertheless benefit greatly from being helped to achieve a better weight Good that he finally has some knowledgable owners.
Re: Question about weight loss Hi Will, I have Dexter a 13 month yellow boy.i love that your dog is called Roger ;D and I also love that he is living with such a conscientious owner as you....you sound like you are putting a lot of thought into his care. Dexter is our first dog so I'm unable to help with the weight issues but he did have troublesome eyes with his 3rd eyelid when he was younger....(my vet said he would grow out of it,which he has)his eyes could get quite irritated and red ,I'm sure the desert environment didn't help with this so my vet advised tears naturelle which are human saline drops which soothe and bathe irritated eyes...I used to pop a few drops in most days for Dexter and it did stop them becoming red and sore.you can buy them really cheaply at the pharmacy Best wishes Angela
Re: Question about weight loss Sounds like Roger has landed on his paws with you! Charlie has slight ectropic lower eyelids - the vet says a small operation to tighten the skin is easily done, but we need to wait to make the decision until his skull is fully grown, for obvious reasons, but also that the condition might resolve itself as Charlie grows. It is getting much, much better over time. Interestingly, the degree of droopiness varies throughout the day and is worse when Charlie is tired or stressed. Edited to add: the reason for the operation would be to prevent eye irritation that goes along with the condition - just to make clear Charlie isn't going in for cosmetic surgery to look prettier!
Re: Question about weight loss Thanks guys! That's encouraging, reassuring and much appreciated. It's hard because he's adult, been overweight and so we really don't know yet much about him except his temperament, that was immediately apparent. He looks cute with his loose skin and face with the eyes that give him a philosophical look. He is wonderful letting us tie his leash off when we walk with him to school in the morning. And he doesn't fuss when we leave him at home to go to the shops. He's sleeping all night in his new den and bed and getting up to all sorts of mischief with socks and other tributes - so all is well and it's just a matter of getting to know him better. A trip to our vet is not far off but I want to understand his behaviour and general presentation better before I do, since he has a clean bill of health from the welfare league vet. Thanks again guys. W\ oh, one other thing; he's drooling quite a lot, I read that this may be a combination of weight loss, fitness (he does it when exerting himself), being hungry (?) as his diet is lower than he's been used to and maybe just a congenital thing to do with his loose facial skin and genetics. So unless anyone thinks this could be a real problem I'm just going to monitor it. Someone at the dog park commented on it - but it was a bit of a wise guy kind of thing, seemed to be presenting as a bit of an expert. (Never seen that on a labrador before, what's he eaten? etc)
Re: Question about weight loss Under what circumstances was he drooling? Like, was he expecting treats? Obi drools like a champion when he thinks that food might be a possibility - great sticky strings of it... ;D Get the vet to check out his teeth. That's the only thing I can think of otherwise... As far as the loose skin goes - he looks pretty typical to me They often do have enough skin for an extra dog That baggy skin round his neck is normal and will mostly stay even when he slims down. My dog has extra there too.
Re: Question about weight loss Oh Roger is beautiful! Yes, he is a bit overweight... but his face is so kind! Don't worry about the loose skin, that's normal for labs. His eyes dont look too bad to me, I've definitely seen worse. The drooling... if there is any food about, a lot of labs will drool (they are the greediest dogs in the world). Lucky Roger looks like he deserves a loving home - and it sounds as though he has found it with you!
Re: Question about weight loss Oh he looks lovely! Brill colouring on his ears. And he'll be a rival to diva Obi in the black eye make up dept.!
Re: Question about weight loss [quote author=JulieT link=topic=3068.msg32475#msg32475 date=1382949122] And he'll be a rival to diva Obi in the black eye make up dept.! [/quote] Haha ;D Yes, he sure does give Obi a run for his money in the eyeliner stakes ;D
Re: Question about weight loss haha, the eye shadow! that's ma boy! Just to clarify he only drools when he's exerting himself. If we do a good long walk and wind up at the dog park and then he goes for a gamble around he usually comes back with long strings of drool on each side and foamy stuff around the front of his lower jaw. Its a bit like what I'd expect from a big hound dog of some kind. I expect its fine but will get the vet's opinion.
Re: Question about weight loss Foamy stuff normal here - if Charlie has a wild run, he can come back looking like he has been overly enthusiastic in whipping meringue! Strands of it all over. Not so much drool though.
Re: Question about weight loss Roger looks like a gorgeous cuddly bear. ;D I don't think his eyes look bad at all and the weight will soon work off now he's getting proper exercise with you. The drooling sounds normal. It's what they do. When my two race about then drag each other down playing their favourite game of lion and antelope : (take it in turns) they get covered in each other foamy drool. Lovely!!! Jen
Re: Question about weight loss Sam is extremely drooly, revoltingly so actually : Its always when he is in a very heightened state of excitement , retrieving causing the worst drool , yuk :
Re: Question about weight loss Yup we get a bit of a foam up here when there's lots of running around and playing to be done less so when he's retrieving more when he's messing around with other dogs. And let's not talk about the dripping drool when there's food around yeugh! I'm no expert but his eyes don't look too bad from that photo, unless they get irritated or the vet has some other good reason I'd leave well alone Other than that what a lovely dog he looks and fab name ! Good luck with the weight loss.
Re: Question about weight loss Hi Will, No advice to offer I'm afraid. Just wanted to say he looks absolutely adorable, that face is beautiful. And he sounds like he's home for good, finally found his forever home. It's lovely. Good luck with his continued settling in.
Re: Question about weight loss Hi Will and Roger, welcome from me Helen, Hattie 6 years and our rescue boy Charlie 2 3/4 years. Charlie drools, and foamy white stuff too, just yuk ;D Hattie only drools when food is on offer : Roger looks so gentle, lovely boy. Let us know how you get on with him.
Re: Question about weight loss Hi there from Lisa and Simba, choc labX (15 months? I'm losing track...) He looks like a lovely boy and it's so great you have given him a home. Sounds like he's pretty typical with the drooling - Simba does a bit too, when he's excited or exercising.
