Erm, I think I need a bit of advice...

martlin

martlin

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This probably should be in dogs, but will have a go here anyway:D

I seem to have acquired (don't even ask - I'm a sucker for a creature in need) 2 dogs - both collies, a bitch and a dog.
They are in a bit of a state and I really need to sort them out:
1. Penny, the bitch (obviously, it's a girly name) is 10 years old and very FAT, she also has arthritis in one of her hinds, thus struggles a bit for running.

2. Chas - the lad is 12 years old and deaf (not completely) and also very fat, but in much better nick really, he is lively and runs about.

If you could give me a bit of suggestion what to feed to shift the weight swiftly and safely - I presume some sort of senior/diet feed?
What joint supplements would you recommend for Penny? Is cortaflex any good?

I've noticed that they both literally gorge on grass, which means lack of something? What would that be?

I do sound like a numpty, but I'm not a beginner when it comes to dog care, just never had anything in such a state.

Any suggestions, comments etc welcome and appreciated;)
 
Canine Cortaflex is very good.

If they are with you and having more exercise can't you leave them on your regular dog food, just smaller portions? I'm assuming they are overweight due to over feeding and lack of exercise?

Not sure about the grass, both mine (Dalmatian and English Bull Terrier) start eating grass and weeds as soon as I go out to do some gardening. If you could have seen they way they have been playing this evening don't think they are lacking anything, except possibly the odd brain cell!
 
I don't have any advice, I'm a cat person, but just to say, how kind of you to take them on, especially as they are in advanced years :)

I thought dogs ate grass to make themselves sick, but I'm probably completely wrong!

Good luck with them and pictures please :p
 
I would get them both on to Skinners - its a dried food and you can get in big 15kg sacks for about 20 quid. it is for working dogs but is gluten free etc It easy to monitor and they will drop weight on it - my sisters labs has lost loads and has now stabilised on it. As the weight drops you will find her arthiritis may get better - Skinners also has a high oil content which should help with joints - my friends old collies was getting stiff and she got something from Global Herbs - worked fast and well he was bouncing around - literally - within 24 hours. The other thing which will help is to give them a tin of fish - pilchards, sardines, tuna etc at least once a week instead of biscuits (cheapest is in Aldi or Lidl's if you have one near by)

Deffo post in AAD though as the other will have some suggestions - Goya will be along sometime and she has collies.
 
Tesco do a good human joint supplement - it has fish oil, glucosamine and chondroitin and does their joints no end of good :) Losing weight will almost certainly help too but take care changing food - older dogs can have delicate tummies so you will need to wean them over gently. Same goes for exercise - they will need building up gradually. I bet they will also appreciate extra fluffy beds for achey joints! Acupuncture can be good for dogs with arthritis I have heard, maybe speak to your vet about this?

Eating grass can mean they are feeling sick, but some (such as my weirdo!) will just have a graze because they like it:rolleyes: As they are older, I'd probably pop them to the vets for a once over, make sure everything is functioning as it should.

I hope you have many happy years with them:)
 
Cheers guys, much appreciated:)
jodie, I feed my other dogs Bakers Complete, they are hard working dogs though and fed ad lib... don't know if that would be any good for them?
Slinky, I'll have a look at Skinners, thanks - any idea where to find it? would my feed merchant have it or is it specialist jobby?

Will take some pictures tomorrow and post promptly:D

I'm worried about their general state tbh - unfit, very fat, dull coats and all together not looking like dogs should be, even elderly ones!
One of my other 3 is 10ish this year and a bit chubby, but nothing like those 2, their weight is truly shocking!

Right, off to AAD:)
 
When we had an arthritic lab, I bought a magnetic collar, which seemed to make a difference. I'm sure that as she loses weight Penny's arthritis will improve. Many firms make low-calorie complete feeds for dogs, although I must admit that our JRT was never very keen on it. She preferred to just have less of the food the others were eating (well actually she would probably have preferred more food but that wasn't an option!)
 
You feed merchants should be able to get Skinners for you - it is used for working dogs so may already have it in stock. No added sugars, wheat, additives etc I think it may even be cheaper then Bakers but definitely better especially if you are trying to shift weight as the sugars and wheat etc won't help.:)
 
Cortaflex is brilliant in my opinion for dogs (less so for horses). If you can afford double dose for the first bit. That helps the joint regenerate. You will probably need a perscription drug (like rimadyl) if they are in pain.

Weight - whatever you choose suggest you also ring the manufacturers helplines. They are normally pretty good at advice. For example weigh how much you give (don't trust your eye), keep some for treats, mix some with water and stuff a kong if you want to entertain them, etc, etc.

And enjoy them and play with them. I adore dogs and really believe the more you put in the more you get out (unlike some horses!!!!?)
 
Right then:D
still no photos as didn't get round to it, but promise I will;)
I have purchased Skinners Field & Trial Maintenance and Muesli - the muesli is slightly more calorific than the other, but is softer in texture which might be of help...
They have new VetBed, which should improve their sleep:D
I have ordered Equistro Flexadin Dog for Penny's joints, but for the time being picked up some NAF Superflex Dog treats and Devil's Relief.
They have been for 2 short walks today - slowly making them aware of the boundaries, so in a few days they can start mooching about loose. Penny is struggling to keep up, but Chas pulls like a train and his tail is constantly wagging.
The Ginger Cat is not speaking to me, I haven't asked his permission to home some more dogs:eek:
Horses couldn't care less and the tabby kitty seems rather pleased with new company.
Patch the JRT hasn't stopped growling since yesterday, Stacie the sheepdog pretends that nothing happened.
Sam the guard dog said Woof:D:D:D
 
I know sod all about dogs so have no advice although well done for taking them in.

Just wanted to tell you that the elderly (17) and obese collie with arthritis that a friend of our family inherited was given a diet by the vet. She used to get dried dog food, a really tiny measured portion mixed with boiled cabbage and hot water that it had been boiled in.

Not sure whether I felt more sorry for the dog who had to put up with such a grim diet at the same time as being wrenched from her idyllic rural home and sent to the suburbs or the poor owners who acquired a dog through no choice of their own and then had to boil cabbage everyday for it and put up with the accompanying smell.

It wasn't all bad though, said doggy also had her teeth brushed in vodka, which she grew to rather like........... vets orders of course.
 
Canine cortaflex is brilliant, and though expensive, you could probably get away with just feeding it til their weight comes down then moving to something cheaper?

It worked a treat on my slightly tubby old aged spaniel! Literally had her bouncing about.
 
Thanks guys, really appreciated:D
Cortaflex is atm not an option as she needs pain relief as well and Cortaflex + Devil's Claw would be just prohibitive on price, hence the Flexadine as it has MSM, Chondroitin, Manganese, Glucosamine AND Devil's Claw.
Kat - I ain't boiling cabbage every day for them, no way!:D no matter what vet says about the benefits, the smell would kill me;)

I tend to take in all sorts... but I do draw a line at birds, rabbits and other such creatures that should take their chances in the wild;)
 
i feeed beta light!

my dog (3) and my late collie (13) were both on that and they kept in good shape....!

the youngest is prone to weightgain and it works wonders for her - we have used beta for years!!
 
You've already had some great advice on here but I thought I'd put my few pence worth in too!

I would put them on a slightly better quality food until they have lost the weight, there are lots of versions and although it is expensive (entirely your choice depending on how deep your pockets are!) I would go for science plan- they do a light and a mature dog one, remember to feed according what their weight SHOULD be (sounds obvious but you'd be amazed...)

When she's lost weight her arthritis will feel much better and hopefully you could wean her off the meds altogether- is the supplement from the vets or over the counter? I'd let the male off the lead and I'm sure he'll tell you when he's had enough, you may need to take the bitch out seperately if she struggles. Best of luck and bit high 5 for taking them in!
 
FL - I thought about Hills Science Plan, but had difficulty getting hold of it and they would not entertain Royal Canin, the Eukanuba one is horrendously rich in calories:eek: and covered in wheat glucose, which might be tasty, but won't do any favours to their weight;)
Thanks for the amount guidelines, I do realise though that they should be fed according to their ideal weight;):D
The supplement is from the vets:)
ATM I can't let Chas of the lead as he is deaf and I struggle to get him back:D
I take them out together and wonder around my paddocks at Penny's pace, will swap Chas' lead for extend-able (have one somewhere, probably under the sofa, as most things I've lost:D)
 
Haha, sofa fairies? I know what you mean... I just re-read my reply and when I wrote "you'd be amazed" I meant "you'd be amazed at what some people do" not "you'd be amazed at the difference" Seriously, I once had people tell me that they fed their fat sausage dog ad lib diet food because it was diet food and was meant to make them thin! Another would feed the recommended amount of diet food and then give it toast in the morning and a pigs ear for lunch and their dinner leftovers "because he looked hungry" some people make me sad.......

Have you looked at Seraquin for the stiffness? I have some that's out of date but you are welcome to have if you like? PM me your address and I can post it, the tablets are just too big for my JRT and he seems fine without anyway.
 
Yep, sofa fairies at large:D
I've done a pretty comprehensive comparison of joint supplements, Seraquin was one of my options, but settled for the Flexadin as seems the best combination of value for money and ingredients all round:) Thanks for the offer though;)
 
Given their age how are their teeth? If they're not too great they may struggle with more dried food? I have a rescue collie and because she had been in so many homes (whoever dumped her, then running stray, then fed by dog warden who picked her up, then fed by dogs home who took her on, then to us) she had a bit of an upset tum. The vets recommended plain boiled rice and scrambled egg or chicken to start to give her a plain base, then to gradually introduce regular dog food. So this might be worth doing this to start them off esp if their tums are a bit runny.

We feed ours superdog as it's for working dogs which collies are and last for ages plus it has meaty chunks in. She also gets milk with it (maybe warm water for yours if they are overweight) to make it a bit more palatable.

I would recommend feeding them a relatively normal diet of 1 reasonable meal and maybe a bonio or something in the morning to set them up for the day. It sounds like they have been overfed as collies have such a high metabolism and are such active dogs. Hence I think the weight will drop off them pretty quick. I think the best way would be to feed them a tiny bit more conservatively thanyou would a normal dog but just make sure they get lots of exercise and running around. Continuous movement will also help the arthritus as being sedentary will just make her sieze up more. We have 2 dogs on metacam for arthritus which might be worth discussing with your vet but may be more suited to extreme cases.
 
Hi You can get diet feeds. When my setter was spade she piled it on, but she was very poorly (meningitis) so we had to strictly monitir her feeds, small! We gave her little and often, so she felt full. Thankfully she also loves veggies (shes odd:)) so we could fill her up on carrots! She couldnt excercise too much coz she pooped! Now that shes better:) we keep her feed levels lower than the pack suggests and her excerise is increased. We don't over indulge in titbits either. Not used joint supplements in dogs, so cant comment im afraid, but getting her weight of will help i'm sure. As for grass eating, mine eat more than the horses do, rarely sick, no idea why they do it.
 
HB - surprisingly, their teeth are in very good condition:) for the age obviously.
They seem to like the Skinners light, so will stick with that for a bit and see how they get on.
 
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