ED Progression

David

Moderator
Staff member
Deleted cos the post I just typed for 10 minutes got lost. I'll have another go in a minute.
 

David

Moderator
Staff member
Hunter is 11 months now and has had 2 operations for both his elbows. Reading your thread gives us hope that Hunter can hopefully have a few arthritis free years. His elbows will always be weak so he will be closely monitored all the time.

...….On the human side... I hope your are feeling better.
I think there are a lot of variables, but the SBD has done ok I think. I discussed exercise with the vet a while back and decided she should have an active life rather than a restricted one even if that meant she would get problems a little earlier. We tried to avoid jumping (always difficult in a fit and active Lab) and no jumping out of the boot of the car. Otherwise she's had an active life including working on a shoot in the winter which she has really enjoyed - after all that's what she was bred for and lives for! I'll retire her this year but she can still come out with me and pick up the occasional bird as long as she wants to. I think she'll make it clear to me when she doesn't want to do it anymore.

I'm fine thank you. Just need a new hip. Already got one hip and one knee and the increased pressure of getting back to a normal life has made the remaining hip fail!
 
It's a conundrum for sure... I'm looking at the same questions with Merlin - should he be allowed to lead an active life, or must I restrict his activity to protect his joints? For what it's worth, I think you have done the right thing with Lady. And now she will be allowed to be a retired dog, with painkillers where necessary, retrieving the occasional bird from the peg - sounds like a good life too!
 

David

Moderator
Staff member
Yes it's one of those decisions we seem to have to make for our dogs. Which is Merlin in your avatar. They are lovely dogs!
 
Yes it's one of those decisions we seem to have to make for our dogs. Which is Merlin in your avatar. They are lovely dogs!
Merlin is the bigger one, on the right of the photo. He is nearly 18 months old, a really really lovely boy. I'll do an update on his thread.
 

Beanwood

Administrator
Benson and Casper were at our rehab vets yesterday, both with completely different conditions. Casper has horrible hips, and AS of the back, but you really, really wouldn't know it. The difference in having a dog undergo treatment, prescribed exercises, medication is amazing. Casper is nearly 10. He loves retrieving, has more interest in playing games now than at 5 years old when we adopted him. He has a strong back and abdominal muscles, lean and sleek. His hips are better now than they have ever been in terms of flexibility. He can still run like the wind, albeit not for long anymore as he gets tired more easily.
There is just so much modern medicine can do now, and when the best of complementary medicine and science combine...then the outcome can be surprisingly optimistic.
 
Despite the ED I know I'm rather lucky with Juno as she has never been a jumper, even when a puppy, so that restriction has been easy for us. She happily jumps in and out of the car, and it's not every day sometimes not even every week so I don't see it as a major problem. We have a ramp for her which she is happy to use, if we need it. Exercise in general I manage so we don't go for long hikes but 2 walks of around 45 to 60 minutes a day, most of which is offlead. She is allowed to run and play and bounce around with doggy friends. If she over does it she's a little stiff the next day but we live with that. She runs around when she wants and is happy to race away in the hope of catching a pheasant when one crosses our path which is quite common. In the autumn I'm planning to book a couple of 121 gundog sessions with the trainer I know and have been to before, just for some extra fun together. I will never work her or compete in competition because I know that would probably cause inflammation of the elbows. She is so stoic it's only from experience that I can now pickup the subtle signals that she is in pain. She has never cried out even when being examined and manipulated before surgery when it must have hurt like hell :( .
It's so hard to know what to do for the best, but I guess we have to know our dogs and work out what they can do with as little impact as possible.
 
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Benson and Casper were at our rehab vets yesterday, both with completely different conditions. Casper has horrible hips, and AS of the back, but you really, really wouldn't know it. The difference in having a dog undergo treatment, prescribed exercises, medication is amazing. Casper is nearly 10. He loves retrieving, has more interest in playing games now than at 5 years old when we adopted him. He has a strong back and abdominal muscles, lean and sleek. His hips are better now than they have ever been in terms of flexibility. He can still run like the wind, albeit not for long anymore as he gets tired more easily.
There is just so much modern medicine can do now, and when the best of complementary medicine and science combine...then the outcome can be surprisingly optimistic.
That's such good news!!!
 

Beanwood

Administrator
Benson and Casper were at our rehab vets yesterday, both with completely different conditions. Casper has horrible hips, and AS of the back, but you really, really wouldn't know it. The difference in having a dog undergo treatment, prescribed exercises, medication is amazing. Casper is nearly 10. He loves retrieving, has more interest in playing games now than at 5 years old when we adopted him. He has a strong back and abdominal muscles, lean and sleek. His hips are better now than they have ever been in terms of flexibility. He can still run like the wind, albeit not for long anymore as he gets tired more easily.
There is just so much modern medicine can do now, and when the best of complementary medicine and science combine...then the outcome can be surprisingly optimistic.[/QUOTE]

That's such good news!!![/QUOTE]

Yes, I was happy! Must update their exercises and thread when I am not Romeo watching! :wasntme:
 
Benson and Casper were at our rehab vets yesterday, both with completely different conditions. Casper has horrible hips, and AS of the back, but you really, really wouldn't know it. The difference in having a dog undergo treatment, prescribed exercises, medication is amazing. Casper is nearly 10. He loves retrieving, has more interest in playing games now than at 5 years old when we adopted him. He has a strong back and abdominal muscles, lean and sleek. His hips are better now than they have ever been in terms of flexibility. He can still run like the wind, albeit not for long anymore as he gets tired more easily.
There is just so much modern medicine can do now, and when the best of complementary medicine and science combine...then the outcome can be surprisingly optimistic.
We were at hydrotherapy this morning only to discover that Juno is showing a little reluctance to flex her left elbow :cry: which we hadn't picked up on - it's that subtle. The leg extension is fine on both but really could do with out the left causing a problem just as we've got her right as good as it is ever likely to be.
 

David

Moderator
Staff member
Benson and Casper were at our rehab vets yesterday, both with completely different conditions. Casper has horrible hips, and AS of the back, but you really, really wouldn't know it. The difference in having a dog undergo treatment, prescribed exercises, medication is amazing. Casper is nearly 10. He loves retrieving, has more interest in playing games now than at 5 years old when we adopted him. He has a strong back and abdominal muscles, lean and sleek. His hips are better now than they have ever been in terms of flexibility. He can still run like the wind, albeit not for long anymore as he gets tired more easily.
There is just so much modern medicine can do now, and when the best of complementary medicine and science combine...then the outcome can be surprisingly optimistic.

Magic!
 

David

Moderator
Staff member
We were at hydrotherapy this morning only to discover that Juno is showing a little reluctance to flex her left elbow :cry: which we hadn't picked up on - it's that subtle. The leg extension is fine on both but really could do with out the left causing a problem just as we've got her right as good as it is ever likely to be.
Good that you spotted it though.
 

David

Moderator
Staff member
Just got back from the vet. Daily Metacam from now on and 15 minute lead walks for the next 4 - 6 weeks to make sure the acute problem in her right elbow has settled down properly. Taking her back for a review after 6 weeks.

A lady in the waiting room went all gooey over the SBD saying she looked wonderful and fit! Yes she does but the elbows have kind of fouled it all up. Poor lamb. I'll be aiming to make her as comfortable as possible for as long as possible. I think that's all you can do really.
 
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