Advice please for my poorly Lab

Black_Horse_White

Black_Horse_White

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 February 2008
Messages
2,229
Location
Staffordshire
Visit site
My boy is only 8 yrs old and suffers from hip/elbow dysplacia. This morning his leg was very swollen and he would not put any weight on it. He has been to the vets and x ray has shown he has a fracture, probably caused by him jumping in the car. The vet explained future treatment but to be honest its all a blur. I was stunned when the vet did say he has 1to2 years left he is fit apart from the artritis, maybe a little overweight but no way obese, he has four short walks a day. Can anyone recommend any supplyments that we can try? I want him with me longer than that short amount of time as he loves life and i love him.
 
QR

What a horrible situation to be in
frown.gif


I would try to get an extra weight off, perhaps swimming could help as it is non-weightbearing exercise. Your vet may be able to point you to a local hydrotherapy place. This will make life more comfortable for your boy.

Lift him in and out of the car to avoid stressing his joints.

Henry is on cod liver oil for his hips, the human one a day kind. There is also a Hills Science Diet especially for joints, although that will cost a lot, I can't afford it at the moment.
 
We have a pool not far from us asked the vet about it when he was first diagnosed, she didn't recommend it until we had the pain relief sorted because although its good for him its hard work. I'm certainly going to work on his weight. I will give the food you recommend a try and i've ordered a doggie ramp to help him in and out of the car.
 
My lab is 5 and he has elbow dysplasia or OCD actually. He has had regular Cartrophen injections which really help him and I have recently put him on a Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplement (for humans via the net - far cheaper!) I also give him Devils Claw No Bute if he has had an extra strenuous day.

I really feel for you, its an awful situation. When my lab was first diagnosed (at 6 months) one vet told me he wouldn't see 5 - but he's still managing fine and I will work him lightly this year - its what he lives for.

I have gone with the quality rather than quantity outlook on his life. He lives for riding out with me and shooting, so as long as I am careful and choose the right ground and shoots, I will keep him going enjoying his life.

Can't possibly bare to think what he will be like at 8
frown.gif


Cortaflex and metacam are also very good (although very expensive) but you have to be careful about masking the pain and not working them too much - but I am sure you know that anyway
smile.gif


I keep meaning to buy him a Bioflow collar too - I will try anything!!

My vet told me not to let him swim too much as it uses the joints so much without him realising due to the bouyancy (sp?)

It is also very important to keep him lean and fit as the network of muscles helps to secure the joints.

Good luck - poor chap.
 
He is on Metacam now, I'm lucky as i have insurance that will pay for his treatment. I the vet did mention injections i will check tomorrow when i have a clear head. I've been cutting down his exercise because he has become very slow. His diet begins tomorrow when i get him home, although when i look at other Labs when i'm out my lad is much slimmer. Thanks and i hope ypur dog has many years left.
 
I am not sure that cutting down his exercise is a good thing, but you must obviously follow your vets advice on that one. I have gone for the fitter I can keep him the better attitude.

Definitely ask about Cartrophen injections - they have made such a difference to Toby
smile.gif
 
I too would recommend Cartrophen injections, and once the fracture is healed just a gentle amount of hydrotherapy would be worthwhile I would have thought. I imagine the vet meant don't exercise him whilst the fracture heals, but after that lots of gentle walking (after consultation with the vet) would help him I would think. Don't be too bad about the vets prognosis, I had a GSD with awful hips,(score in the 90s) was told she wouldn't live beyond 2 or 3, she was pts at 13, due to cancer, not her hips.
 
I think you have to get this food through the vets so another one to mention. My vet mentioned it to me, I just can't stretch to it right now.

I sympathise with the lifting in and out of the car thing, it used to take two of us to lift our old lab Barney, even when he was a skinny old so and so.

Metacam really helped Barney with his bad back.
 
Just to update you, i brought Jake home today but had to take him straight back, he was in a lot of pain anc cried out everytime he moved. It was heartbreaking to hear him. Two vets have said they are very optimistic he will recover from this in four to five days. At one point i asked if he should be pts because he is in so much pain. He is now on morphine so is comfortable and maybe home in a day or two. Thanks for all your advice it has been very much apprieciated at this very difficult time.
 
Oh bless him, I really hope he improves soon. It's just awful to hear them in pain and I really feel for you.
frown.gif


I don't know if your Jake is like my Henry but Henry tends to yelp for more minor hurts while when there is something serious wrong he shuts up - I hope this is some comfort.

Please keep us updated, I really hope you're ok and that he picks up quickly. He is in the best place right now.
 
Update on Jake. He's still not home yet but is off the morphine and on strong painkillers, he is still not putting his weight on his leg but is managing to go to the toilet ok. Nurse says he is getting up all the time when he is in the cage so he has been out in the yard today and is quite chirpy. Vet said he will be in for a day or two and will not walk on it for a week. But at least he is slowly improving which is a good sign.
smile.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top