Went for a nice walk this evening, and he is starting to hold the tail a little higher. Hopefully it'll be better in a day or two - and hopefully I will be more sensible next time.
Merlin update
- Thread starter MellowYellow
- Start date
He's feeling much better - well enough to leap onto my bed this morning and knock my ipad on to the floor.
And I was so happy to see him wagging his tail that I didn't even care!
And I was so happy to see him wagging his tail that I didn't even care!
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Oh dear, the limp Labrador tail is the saddest sight in the world! I'm glad it's getting better. Only Willow seems to suffer from it out of my lot. It's so strange how it affects each dog differently.
The tail was completely better after a couple of days, and I took advantage of the continuing warm weather to take Merlin to the pond again, to do just a couple of short retrieves. It seems that he can do a bit of swimming (say three short retrieves, or maybe one longer retrieve) with no ill effects, which is good to know as he loves the water.
In other news, I took Poppy training yesterday (we are in a competition in a couple of weeks), and my dog sitter took Merlin out for a long walk - they hiked up the local hill / mountain, which was a four-hour round trip, and Merly loved it and had absolutely no problems. This is excellent news, I'm really pleased!
In other news, I took Poppy training yesterday (we are in a competition in a couple of weeks), and my dog sitter took Merlin out for a long walk - they hiked up the local hill / mountain, which was a four-hour round trip, and Merly loved it and had absolutely no problems. This is excellent news, I'm really pleased!
That's so good he's having a great time thanks to you. It's lovely to hear about his adventures.
- Location
- Argyll & Bute, Scotland
That's great news and what a great dog sitter - 4 hours, Merlin must have had a great time. xx
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
Lovely update xx
Yes he is a brilliant dog sitter - he is an old school friend of my son's, and his family owned Bella, the dalmation/labrador cross who was related to my Bones. He is a tour guide in Nepal, and so sadly is only here during the summer, which is monsoon season in Nepal. I will really miss him when he goes back, it's been so great having him here to help out with the dogs, especially when OH is away.What a fab dog sitter you have....a good hike up hills will do wonder for his glutes too!
Time for an update... Fingers crossed, things have been going well with Merlin's hips. We are keeping him very slim (he would actually look better with a bit more weight on, but I insist on being able to see his ribs when he moves), and he runs and plays like a healthy dog. You can only see that he has a problem when he gets up and down off the couch - he doesn't climb up or down with one leg and then the other; he always hops up with both back legs together, and either hops down or else slides down with his back legs together and to one side. Also, sometimes when sniffing he will hold a back leg up slightly - I'm not sure if this is because he is uncomfortable on that leg, or if it is just a habit. I noticed him doing it this morning. His hips sway a bit when he walks, but the physiotherapist thinks this is not extreme and says that many dogs without hip issues have this as well.
Otherwise he is just like any other 20-month-old male labrador, and is a complete sweetheart. One other lovely thing is that he and Poppy are getting on much better, since he is gentler with her now, and she actually initiates play with him. I still take him to training class once a week, and then he also comes to the class I give, and waits quietly while the other dogs are working. I'll do a bit of a write-up about his training, but wanted to keep a note of how he is doing health-wise (I find it helpful to have this journal to look back on).
Otherwise he is just like any other 20-month-old male labrador, and is a complete sweetheart. One other lovely thing is that he and Poppy are getting on much better, since he is gentler with her now, and she actually initiates play with him. I still take him to training class once a week, and then he also comes to the class I give, and waits quietly while the other dogs are working. I'll do a bit of a write-up about his training, but wanted to keep a note of how he is doing health-wise (I find it helpful to have this journal to look back on).
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
That's sounding really positive , Karen . I totally agree with you keeping him really slim , not easy with a young Labrador I`m sure , but it sounds like your excellent management is keeping Merlin on the straight and narrow , so pleased xx
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
Sounds great, Karen. Squidge has the most wonderful sashay as she walks, and her hips are fine, so it might just be his structure. That or he's just a dude who likes to strut
Oh yeah, he sure is!!!That or he's just a dude who likes to strut
Lisa
Moderator
- Location
- Alberta, Canada
Really great update! You are doing a great job with managing his issues along with giving him a happy and fulfilled life!
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
That’s really good 
- Location
- Close to Devon/Somerset border
You're absolutely right about the diary/record thing too.
We kept a fairly detailed diary for BJ (epileptic) and it helped us and the vets a huge amount in identifying possible triggers and a lot of other info. we never expected to find.
Very best wishes for Merlin, you are giving him every chance to be as free of pain as possible AND a happy life x
We kept a fairly detailed diary for BJ (epileptic) and it helped us and the vets a huge amount in identifying possible triggers and a lot of other info. we never expected to find.
Very best wishes for Merlin, you are giving him every chance to be as free of pain as possible AND a happy life x
Naya
Moderator
- Location
- Bristol, UK
So glad that he is doing so well. He sure is a very handsome boy x