I currently have a Lab Gldn Ret X he is 11 years old. We adopted him when he was 6 when he retired. Although he is a cross he is a first cross and would have come from very healthy lines, all the usual tests etc and would have been bred to work in his particular field.

Up until about 3 weeks a go he has been very fit, only demonstrating a little stiffness on getting up (that happens to us all:D) ) However, on three occasions during the last three weeks when we have been out his back end has in effect colapsed, the look on his face was priceless When I walk him we go out the front door and near enough on to an open play area where he has his first bound around and this is where it has happened, we then put the lead on for a bit until we reach another open field where he bounds around some more (well lots actually) it has never happened on the 2nd stage of his walk.

I have now changed my route so we start off slow and build up........which seems to be OK

I know I should take him to the vets (he is not in any pain) but I really want is some pro-active advice on what people might think is going on, is it down hill from now on, what can I do to help him?

SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOURE DOG BUT I HAVE TO SAY 11 IS A OLD AGE FOR A BIG BREED OF DOG. MOST DOGS OF THIS SIZE DEVELOP ARTHRITIS WITH AGE. IF I WAS YOU ID RESTRICT HIS EXERCISE AND TAKE HIM TO YOURE VETS AS THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. IF IT IS ARTHRITIS THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT DRUGS WHAT WILL BE ABLE TO HELP AND SPECIAL PRESCRIPTION FOOD TO HELP HIM LIVE A NORMAL LIFE.

Joanne

Will you please turn your caps lock off - it makes the posts hard to read and is actually the equivalant of shouting.

Thanks

Pam n the boys

Well reefer if it is arthritis then glucosamine is the answer. . My collie sophie falls down as well but I think it is because she is trying to go too fast. and forgets she cant. she will be 14 in august mari

We have had older dogs with arthritis &used to give them anything from
1/2 to 1 asprin a day always seem to make them less stiff

karl

This is more like it.......he is not ready for restricted exercise yet, I'd put money on him in a race to a pile of rubbish anyday! What is glucosamine? I am going to take him to the vets as 14 has definately inspired me, it just really shocked me as there has been no other deteriation it just happened.............and I know that if he couldn't have off lead exercise he would be a very unhappy chappy indeed.

And Karl thank you too, I will remember the Asprin tip.

Get hold of a Bioflow collar (a magnetic dog collar). They are great, my mum brought one for her 14 yr old collie X and he is running around again. It's definately given him a new lease of life.
I also brought one last year for my 8 yr old Lab X who has arthritis in his back legs and within 2 weeks he wasn't stiff anymore and was like a 6 mth old puppy, so much so I threatened to take it off him. :)
If I take Whiskey's off of him and forget to replace it within a few days he's stiff again, so they must work.

Nicola
Thank you thank you:D

bioflow collars are great I fully agree,William got a new lease of life with his

glucosamine sulphate is a miracle worker for arthritis in humans and animals
I take it . and I give it to my sophie. she is in good form on it . lots of folk on the board take it as well with good results . buy it in any health shop or your local holland and barratts mari

Yes, you can try Glucosamine Sulphate together with Chondriotin Sulphate - they work best together. Holland and Barrett had a half-price sale on recently - don't know if they still have.

But do visit your vet first for a check - up all round - important. First read the other posts about Rimadyl.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Thanks Jo, I have read the Rimadyl posts and I aim to avoid that becuase if there is anything bad likely to happen it will happen to me!

Hi Reefer have a look at www.activexamerica.com
for Syn Flex
Christine

We are off to the vet tomorrow:) Don't think he'll be to pleased I'll let you know what he (the vet) says feeling a lot more confident now that he won't be given a restricted excersie regime as I know he is not ready for that yet........

Our old Lab is now 14, she does not walk very far any more, but she appears heathly apart from her stiff joints. She has been on glusamine (sp) for a month or so.
I reckon yours should have years left in him.
Good luck
Richard

We have returned from the vets (much to Dollar's relief!) Now unfortunately I can't remember the technical term for his diagnosis, however, the vet thinks it is a spinal problem - his bottom vertebrae are beginning to fuse together and she has recommended cod liver oil (off to get now). What I want to know now is will the Bioflow collar help as well and the other remedies recommended before?

Incidently she confirmed he is perfectly fit enough to cope with a new addition and in tip top condition for his age :D, no restricted exercise for him. She also said it will give him a new lease of life heaven help me.........................

Whatever you do, don't over do the Cod Liver Oil. Follow the vets instructions to the letter. Just like with children, a little Cod Liver Oil is very good for them but too much can have adverse effects.

Regards, John :)

Thanks John
Yep - Dollar was weighed (38KG don't panic he is not a fat lab he is a big boy and the vet commented on how well I had done at keeping his weight down) and she advised me to look at the human dose and take a third off, so if it is in capsule form to pierce the capsule remove a third and put the rest over his food.

Just been out with him for the second time today and I think he's been faking it:D

Hi

Bioflow collars are like the human magnetic collars and can be used for many conditions. I have a rotti who has suffered from colitis all her life (she's nearly 5), we put a Bioflow collar on her and she has got better and is now starting to put on weight. Many people don't think they're any good but seeing is believing! You have also got a 90 day (it may be 60 day) moneyback guarantee.

Hi

After advice from Mari and a few others on this board I have been giving my GSD who suffers from arthritus glucosamine for about six weeks. The change in him has been unbelievable, nothing short of a miracle! He had been on steriods for a long time and I was worrying about side effects but he is actually far better on the glucosamine than he ever was on the steroids - with the added bonus of then being far cheaper as well as healthier.

I think I drive all my friends and family mad now though cos every time they say they are feeling a little ache I keep throwing glucosamine at them!

Lisa