I had to take Abby to the vets today and I was early so decided to take her to the park we bumped into the largest Dobe I have ever seen no joke its back was over a foot wide it had lumps all over its body its nails were really long and the poor thing was struggling to walk so I felt I need to say something so I asked about the lumps the owner said he hoped the would go away soon or he would have to take the dog to the vet he said the dog had bad feet and he supposed that the "little" extra weight he was carrying wasnt helping he is lucky he didnt get slapped at that stage. I pointed out that one of our dogs developed lumps simalar to those his dog had we took her to the vets and was told she had cancer and maybe he should do the same I told him that his dog didnt have a little extra weight that it was obese it didnt seem to bother him he just went on to say how nice and slim Abby is(she is slightly over weight). I had to go at that stage but I couldnt believe it the poor thing is with some idiot who doesnt know or want to look after it properly. I dont understand it there was a problem with Abbys insurance and in the last three months has cost me about £1200 I just picked up extra shifts at work and cut back on things I didnt need if money is the problem then if you cant afford it dont own it.
Sorry to go on but it make me really angry dogs cant choose who owns them we chose them and I believe we take on the responsibility(sp) of caring for them no matter how big or small the problems be.
Very angry
Mary

Hi Mary

If you see them again tell them that something as simple as taking their Dobe to the vet to get its nails cut will almost certainly help its walking.

Dobermanns should have "cat like" feet and VERY short toenails.  If the nails are allowed to get long (touch the ground) then this pushes the weight back onto the heel of the foot.  Very few vets will cut a Dobe's nails short enough but he may be the sort of owner who will either totally ignore his poor dog's problems or go overboard and damage the nails.

Dobermanns do get lumpy as they get older, especially around their ribs and these can generally be safely left alone (in fact I am now of the opinion that most lumps should be left well alone but that is another story).

We probably wont see them again as we are not local to the vets. How big do the lumps get as a couple of them were 3-4 inches in diameter?
Mary