Getting/leeping weight off a dog with joint issues?

[GinaB]

Already fed the senior/light version and as little as possible without starving the dog.

Has joint issues so cannot be walked for excessive periods of time and needs to be on flat ground, on lead as runs about too much off lead and suffers later on.

 

[Spudlet]

Swimming? Do you have a hydrotherapy place nearby?

 

[Maesfen]

Anywhere you can swim it otherwise it's just going to be time and as you are doing it I think. Have you tried any supplements/oil as well?

 

[GinaB]

This dog does not do swimming at all! She would be horrified if I tried

She is starting Canine Essentials today and also takes Arithri-um (I think that's the name?) tablets which contain green lipped mussles and glucosamine.

 

[mattilda]

I used Purini Obebse Management for my girlie and she lost 7 kilos in 5 months. I didn't deny her the odd treat and she doesn't get walked but has the run of 8 acres. She has arthritis in her front leg (she is 10) and was quite lame. Now, however, she is like a spring chicken again (well almost)!!

 

[CorvusCorax]

Would a hydro-pool freak her out? Sorry, I know it is quite dear too....Arden Grange does a lo-cal version which we have been recommended for when Boydog's boybits come off.

 

[prosefullstop]

Is this Beastie? I'm sorry to hear it if so.

Don't discount the hydrotherapy just yet. Stella absolutely loathes water, leaps across puddles, avoids the sea etc. But we have, over time, got her accustomed to wading in a paddling pool (she hops in by herself now) and last week she went in a swimming pool (I had her by the harness, but she paddled with much enthusiasm in one-minute stints). I doubt she will ever be a water babe, but with the right combination of chicken, cheese, taking it slowly, and prose cheerleading, she really enjoyed her DIY version of hydrotherapy.

 

[Spudlet]

I think some hydro places have underwater treadmills for unenthusiastic swimmers?

It's not Beastie is it?

 

[GinaB]

Yep, it's wee Beastie I'm afraid. I think part of the issue is the excess weight that she does carry. Typical spayed bitch. All she needs to do is look at food and she puts weight on!

I think I will look into the hydrotherapy route. Although I'm not sure she'll ever forgive me for it

 

[kerilli]

the only food i've found that works to slim down my jrts (spayed bitch is very prone to piggery/obesity) is cooked tripe. it's cheap as chips (30p a frozen bag iirc, 2 bags per day feeds 5 jrts, with dog meal mixed in for non-fatties.)
the fat ones get just tripe, nothing else, and the weight slowly comes off them like magic. and, best of all, they love it. i've tried "diet" mixes such as Hills, James Wellbeloved etc and they just got fatter.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Well I always found raw tripe great to put weight on

Maybe the cooking gets rid of a lot of the goodness.
Re the hydrotherapy treadmill, this worked really well for my GSD who hates swimming. Needed comparatively short time on it to build up her muscle tone, so might be worth seeing if there is anyone near you who has one.

 

[Spudlet]

Oh Beastie!

Henry's gait has really improved since he lost weight, his hips are not that dodgy but he was so humungous that I think they were bothering him just a little bit. Perhaps Beastie will improve with some Slimfast too - fingers crossed!

 

[GinaB]

I have to be very careful what food she gets fed as too much protein gives her skin issues, especially in her ears.

I'm going to look into the hydrotherapy route. I don't think she'll ever forgive me

She has only just got over the shock of me clipping her!

 

[merlinsquest]

Zak is the same..... he has arthritis in his right elbow

Hydrotherapy seems to be the way to go, but he also has pulled a muscle in his back and the vet said not till that is sorted

A skinners rep told me that she thought that their fat dog type food would work....... so I may try it

Edited to ask...... how much does Beastie weigh???