I have an 8 month Choc Lab Retriever dog. He has OCD in his front leg joints. He is currently on Glucosamine tablets and was taken off Rimadyl and put on Metacam liquid. He has improved greatly but in cold/wet weather his stiffness is much more obvious. Being so young, and hopefully having many years ahead of him, I was wondering if there is any further treatement out there available to him. I know of Synflex and such like. I picked up of the internet an injection that can be administered at the Vets, maybe some one out there has used the injection and to what result?? My Lab is not overweight but he is quite tall for a pup!! Think thats his trouble, long legs!! Will he need any further muscle rebuilder products or such like just to see him out that little longer and in more comfort. Many Thanks in advance.

Murphys Mam

Poor lad if he has it in both front legs.

How much excercise was he getting before the condition came to light and how much does he get now ?

Lucy
( owner of three choc LabS)

Well, this is the burning question. Being an inexperienced Labrador owner, I had heard that Labs love walks, so he used to go out for about 15mins off lead on a morning, 1 hr at maybe 10-11, then 1hr-1hr30 on an evening all walks off lead. On saturdays and sundays maybe longer as a "treat". The vet said not, however, I cant help feeling responsible for his condition. He now goes out 4 times a day but his 2 longer walks are now shortened to about half hr-45mins. The thing is with Murphy, he is such an active and boystrous pup and if he doesnt get the exercise he is a real nuisance in the house, ie, runs around, destructs anything in sight, chews his basket,shoes etc. Dont get me wrong, he is not a chewer but when he is in one, boy is he!!! He is very lanky for a retreiver, he is only 8 months and already is nearly maximum height!! I thought Labs were placid, but he is anything but. He is not a biter or a barker but he is scared of nothing. If you shout, smack, point or laugh at him he will go for you. Not nastily, tail wagging but still, his lips are curled back. He is very affectionate, when he wants, but like I said when he goes on one, he does!!

I know how this is I have a 7 month old goldie and he is full of energy. Thing is though try mental stimulation, instead of all the exercise, do you have any little training sessions? sit, stay heel etc, hide & seek? hide some treats around the house or outside and get him to look for them. If he is using his brain it can wear him out just as much as lots of exercise.
go to the www.helpalabrador.co.uk, web site, very informative and plenty of people to help on there.
Its like the man who does manual work all day and the man who is sitting at his computer all day at the end of the day they are both as tired as each other.!!
HTH.

Hi Sorry I missed your reply.

I do feel that he is having far too much exercise at the moment.

I know it is very difficult with a Lab that age but it is one of the ways that will help his condition stabilize by very restricted excercise.

MB my 8 month old had a very bad limp about 3 months ago and we were at the stage of going to see a specilaist. We had a very strict non exercise period for around four to six weeks of just garden fun and very short lead walks a couple of times a day plus lots of games inside. It is a nightmare BUT it is one way of making sure their joints are rested properly. If you have a condition or injury yourself you would restrict what you were doing to aid your recovery ! I know dogs will always look although they are alright and want to go for walks but it is for their own good to restrict this giving the healing process a chance.

The mental stimulation games at home therefore are of great importance as this will keep him occupied rather than chewing things so instead of all the walkies then spend the time playing games with him !!

Do go onto the Lab rescue site http://www.helpalabrador.co.uk as there are many more people who will be able to give you advice as there are people on here !

I do hope he starts to improve.

Let us know how you get on.
Best wishes

Lucy