Labrador owners, advice needed!
Discussion
Hi all,
As many of the usual people are aware, i have Alfie the fox red Labrador, he's now a grown up chap at 16 months old and 35kg, he gets 5 miles of walks a day minimum, often more. Is fed twice a day 6.30am and 5pm.
Over the last month he has developed an intermittent limp on his front left leg, i took him to the vets yesterday and she gave him a full check up, he has at night time, been nibbling on the fur between the pads on his front feet, so they are a little red.
She also checked out his joints and she said the front left is stiffer than the front right at the elbow.
Now, he is otherwise in perfect health, he was up at a PH meet a couple of Sundays ago and plenty of people saw him and can confirm he's in good health. When i took him back to the breeder last year, he was happy with Alfie's condition and growing, saying he was getting "the right amount" of exercise for his size.
Now, this stiffness in the joint, his parents have checked out clear, but is this something to worry about?
Is there any foods, oils etc i can give to help it out?
The pills are Norodine 80, takes 1 in morning and 1 in evening. The other is a PLT (according to bottle) it's 1.5 tablets in morning, same in evening.
The pills are to help the fur on his pads regrow and the joint.
So fellow lab owners, what wisdom can you give me to help Alfie.
As many of the usual people are aware, i have Alfie the fox red Labrador, he's now a grown up chap at 16 months old and 35kg, he gets 5 miles of walks a day minimum, often more. Is fed twice a day 6.30am and 5pm.
Over the last month he has developed an intermittent limp on his front left leg, i took him to the vets yesterday and she gave him a full check up, he has at night time, been nibbling on the fur between the pads on his front feet, so they are a little red.
She also checked out his joints and she said the front left is stiffer than the front right at the elbow.
Now, he is otherwise in perfect health, he was up at a PH meet a couple of Sundays ago and plenty of people saw him and can confirm he's in good health. When i took him back to the breeder last year, he was happy with Alfie's condition and growing, saying he was getting "the right amount" of exercise for his size.
Now, this stiffness in the joint, his parents have checked out clear, but is this something to worry about?
Is there any foods, oils etc i can give to help it out?
The pills are Norodine 80, takes 1 in morning and 1 in evening. The other is a PLT (according to bottle) it's 1.5 tablets in morning, same in evening.
The pills are to help the fur on his pads regrow and the joint.
So fellow lab owners, what wisdom can you give me to help Alfie.
Didn't think any vets still prescribed PLT!
Have xrays been mentioned? Could a number of reasons for the lameness including OCD. Worth at least ruling these things out at least.
The fox red lab I knew had arthritis diagnosed via xrays when he was 18mths old, careful management (mainly weight) kept it under control for many years.
Have xrays been mentioned? Could a number of reasons for the lameness including OCD. Worth at least ruling these things out at least.
The fox red lab I knew had arthritis diagnosed via xrays when he was 18mths old, careful management (mainly weight) kept it under control for many years.
Edited by bexVN on Wednesday 17th July 19:40
My lab weighs 36KG and is over weight but he is 6 yrs old. He now has the mild arthritis. Get him to lose weight and have a look at glucosamine as it seems to help dogs with cartridge damage. See either of the 2 food threads, they might help but research it and make sure its right for you. I am no vet so make sure you research it first and then consult a vet.
Our black lab is 35kg and had a good limp when still growing, so younger than your hound, was put on an anti-inflammatory for a while, had the x-rays done and it was put down to him being a bit fat at the time (nearer 40kg), still growing, and being a bugger for leaping off the low wall in the back garden.
He's now 3, absolutely fine, doesn't get that sort of mileage per day, is mad as brush, and still leaps off the wall
Guessing it'll be rest, hopefully it'll clear up fine and x-rays will show no issues, then try upping the exercise to see how the hound gets on?
Of course, I'd defer to a vet for a proper opinion
He's now 3, absolutely fine, doesn't get that sort of mileage per day, is mad as brush, and still leaps off the wall
Guessing it'll be rest, hopefully it'll clear up fine and x-rays will show no issues, then try upping the exercise to see how the hound gets on?
Of course, I'd defer to a vet for a proper opinion
Took him for his evening walk, a nice 2 mile effort.
I did notice, his "limp" is more pronounced while walking on the stones along the driveway, once on the pavements and grass he walks fine. No limp and
The vet did say the front paws had a "summer allergy" where he's been nibbling on the fur between the pads on the paw and they are a bit tender and have some fur missing compared to the back paws.
She said her 2 lab retrievers did it when young but grew out of it, so while i'm concerned, it does seem to be something they do, i've never seen him do it during the day so he must have a night time nibble.
Will be keeping an eye on his walks and his feet to hopefully see them heal up and take it from there.
Heading to bed as i got a s
te nights sleep due to worrying about the wee bugger.
Who's lying over my feet and has just farted...
I did notice, his "limp" is more pronounced while walking on the stones along the driveway, once on the pavements and grass he walks fine. No limp and
The vet did say the front paws had a "summer allergy" where he's been nibbling on the fur between the pads on the paw and they are a bit tender and have some fur missing compared to the back paws.
She said her 2 lab retrievers did it when young but grew out of it, so while i'm concerned, it does seem to be something they do, i've never seen him do it during the day so he must have a night time nibble.
Will be keeping an eye on his walks and his feet to hopefully see them heal up and take it from there.
Heading to bed as i got a s
te nights sleep due to worrying about the wee bugger. Who's lying over my feet and has just farted...
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
bexVN said:
Didn't think any vets still prescribed PLT!
Have xrays been mentioned? Could a number of reasons for the lameness including OCD. Worth at least ruling these things out at least.
The fox red lab I knew had arthritis diagnosed via xrays when he was 18mths old, careful management (mainly weight) kept it under control for many years.
Our Paddy was diagnosed with this OCD at, ooh I would say 6 months with a very immediate limp from an otherwise healthy pup.Have xrays been mentioned? Could a number of reasons for the lameness including OCD. Worth at least ruling these things out at least.
The fox red lab I knew had arthritis diagnosed via xrays when he was 18mths old, careful management (mainly weight) kept it under control for many years.
Edited by bexVN on Wednesday 17th July 19:40
He was XRayd to find a flap in the joint dislodged in the joint.
A few steroid jabs and leaded walks for three weeks I think.
Since then for the last 7 years every day he has had Seraquin Tablets - remarkably even available through Amazon!
He is fit as a fiddle and constantly on the go.
I don't think it is snake oil - and worth every penny if it has helped.
The vet is well chuffed
Tbh this is the more typical age range for first signs, 16 months is a bit old unless OP remember any other episodes of lameness. still a young dog if slim (and any digs with joint issues should be kept slim) shouldn't go lame unless they've really overdone the exercise or traumatised a joint.
There is a lot of debate at the mo about whether products like Seraquin do make a difference, lot of arguments against but seeing animals improve or benefit on it I believe it helps (Seraquin also contains turmeric which is a natural anti inflammation)
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 18th July 00:02
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