Hi, asking a question for a friend.
Every time she takes her girl to the beach, she limps for about three days afterwards and is worried there could be a problem with her hips. She says it is only when she has been running on sand and is fine after being on grass.
What do you think?.

Is it soft sand or hard sand? If you tried to run in soft sand for any length of time then I imagine you would ache too! If she limps every time she goes to the beach then I would suggest not taking her... It's probably worth your friend talking to the vet about it tho

:-)

She has actually only taken her three times, but did notice this after each time, and know she has worked out it is the sand i don't think she will be taking her again.

She might still be able to take her, just keep her on a lead so she's not going wild running and hurting herself. I know my two much prefer to go ballistic at low tide but just sort of potter about sniffing the dunes if it's high tide. i did notice the first time I took my older one to the beach at high tide he suffered the next day and decided he didn't want to walk on it anymore, just lay down in the dunes instead! Now he's figured out how to play it he's a lot more eager (which is convenient considering we've got a house on the beach!)

Could be the salt!
Archer

What do you mean, could salt cause this.

If the salt gets between the toes it can irritate...I use to exercise odgs on the beach...used to have the same problem.Found the only solution was to wash their feet immediately...used to take a bottle of water with me.
Nikki

When we lived in Scotland we used to have sore feet problems from the road salt during the winter.

I'd have thought if it was salt it would affect all four feet equally, which might make the dog walk with a strange gait, rather than limp.........

Possibly...it might be worth trying washing the dogs feet in a mild antisceptic solution after being on the beach to discount this first.
Archer

What breed and how old  and what excercise ? :)

Lucy

xx

I would think it is the sand and the dog having to work harder from running in it ...

Dog may not be that fit or may have some problem because most dogs aren't affected by it (well mine never were...)

Hope the dog is OK :)

Lindsay
X

However it is often said that sand has the opposite affect...although asnd may be harder to run/walk on and is more tiring it is a more forgiving exercise since it lacks the impact of running on other surfaces
Archer

The dog is a twelve month old neo mastiff.

That is a very large immature dog to be having that sort of excercise :(

Hmmm...I spent many months in the Gulf last year and my legs and back ached from walking on sand all day too!!!

lol :-D

She is NOT on the sand all day, she has been probably only three times AND for a very quick run and straight home.

Sorry, wasnt suggesting she had been on the sand all day, was just being a comedian.......sorrreeeeeee!!!

it may be the sand or something she is allergic to i can guess i am not sure if not a vet find some one who could help or no beach

We had a similar problem with liberty, and it was running on the shingle, she had cut her paws. :(

liberty