Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 7:30 pm Post subject: Limping on front leg
Hi I'm a new member and I've joined in the hope that someone out there might be able to give me some additional advice on a limp my BEAUTIFUL 7 year old yellow lab (Hobie) has recently developed. He was recently x-rayed and diagnosed with arthritis around the elbow joint of his front left leg - the vet has put him on metacam and he also has glucosamine to help. However he still gets occasional stiffness and limps. Is there anything else that someone out there uses which is proving to help? And does anyone have advice on exercising - should he be walked less or more? Is swimming a good idea? Also any advice on diet would be appreciated - he is very happy to eat almost anything - he is a labrador after all!
SuzyD
Obviously reducing his weight down to the minimum would help. (Not knowing whether he is at the heavy end of not) The less weight he is carrying on his joints the less strain he puts on the joints.
How long has he been on the Glucosamine supplement? I use Flexivet with my Anna who is starting to get a bit stiff after a day working in the field, and although I saw a little improvement after the first month or so I reckon it was 6 months before she got the full effect.
I would tend to go a little easy on the exercise, but swimming is always good because the water is supporting the dog, not the limbs. Going down stairs is not good because all the weight is taken on the shoulders and front legs. Also jumping fences, again because of the “Shock loading” on the front end when landing.
One last thing, I’m not happy with the long term use of powerful drugs such as Metacam. If a dog is 11 or 12 years old then OK, it might help a pain free last year of so, but at 7 years old you are looking at probably another 7 years. A long time on that kind of drug. Has your vet warned you what to look for in the way of side effects? Labradors in general seem to have less problems with Metacam than with Rimadyl, but the side effects from both can be VERY serious indeed!
Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 1:38 pm Post subject: Hobie is improving
Hi to to Izzy_Molly and John W and thanks for your advice on what might help Hobie.
I am glad to say he is much improved this week and I have taken on board your suggestions. I am trying to get his weight down a bit - he is presently around 40Kg and I am aiming for 38Kg as I think this would be around the right weight for him.
I totally agree with you, John, when you say Hobie is far too young to be on Metacam long term. The vet did warn me about the side effects and I am slowly reducing the amount he is on - he is down to the dosage for a 30Kg dog now - if he continues to show no limp at all then I might well take him off it and only use it when absolutely necessary. He has been on glucosamine for around a year now and is on the maximum dosage, I intend to keep that going.
With regard to exercising, Hobie now takes walks on the level rather than on the hills around here - this is much better for him but not so good for me! He is very lucky to have water to swim in but I tend not to allow that daily as keeping up with washing and drying wet towels is tedious - and we all know how great that wet dog smell is .
Thanks again for your advice,
Regards from a much happier Hobie and Suzy
Personally I would try to get his weight down to 34 to 35Kg. That would not be excessively low but would certainly help him. It could be that a "Senior" food might help you. These foods tend to have more "Padding" in them so that for the same amount of input the dog gets less food value. Another suggestion is to use his usual food but substantially cut the amount of food then add greens, cabbage and the like to pack the meal out. The dog gets no food value out of the cabbage although he feels full. The only problem with this is that it can make some dogs a bit windy!
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- the vet has put him on metacam and he also has glucosamine to help. However he still gets occasional stiffness and limps. Is there anything else that someone out there uses which is proving to help? And does anyone have advice on exercising - should he be walked less or more? Is swimming a good idea? Also any advice on diet would be appreciated - he is very happy to eat almost anything - he is a labrador after all!
and I have taken on board your suggestions. I am trying to get his weight down a bit - he is presently around 40Kg and I am aiming for 38Kg as I think this would be around the right weight for him.
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