[Closed] I've broken my dog

Hot bath, lots of beer and some ibuprofen. 😉

im hoping that you have used the word pup simply as it sounds cute.

what dog? how far? how old?

SOOBalias - Member

im hoping that you have used the word pup simply as it sounds cute.

Ditto.

Is it hypoglycaemia? We had a spaniel who used to run itself into the ground and needed serious sugaring before it would move again, we would always take Mars bars etc for the dog in case it stopped.. Has she eaten much since?

Labrador, 5, no idea on mileage out for 3 hours.

Yeah called her the pup since she was one. She is used to it and is out with me most weeks, I am careful but I think it was a bit hot and a bit long, she is bascially sound but achey.

I'm not one to anthromorphosise but she is well pissed off with me.

Bit of a hijack but Ive been wondering when I can start to take my 5 month old pointer out running/biking? She is very active so weve ignored 'this no more than 1/2 hour walks until she is at least 7 nonsense'.

Ive got a five year old chocky lab and take him out if its around an hours quick blast through the woods. Last summer I took him out on a hot day for a couple of hours (obviosuly with plenty of water) , It totally ****ed him for days and I will never do it again . I think labs are like horses they will just keep running , Im also wary as he keeps wanting to get in front which is great fun that I dont end up catching his leg . Im sure he will recover just watch you dont over do it as they obviously are well known for hip problems.

Obviously, I don't mean any offence and it's your dog so your choice - but I wouldn't take my dog out for 3 hours at cycling pace. He's young & fit and would easily keep up, but the problem is he'd follow me to the ends of the earth, even if he's damaging himself doing it.

Mind you, if she's used to riding with you, then she's probably fitter than most.

That is not nonsense young dogs need to grow before they can run and stuff, you have to be more cautious with breeds prone to hip and bone problems.

I am kicking myself to be honest. I am getting a lot fitter and don't notice the increase in pace up the hills but on reflection I think she can't really come out anymore. She is usually fine.

I waited until my pointer was a year.
I do fail to see how it can be too damaging for them as my pointer only runs the same amount when out biking as when I'm walking, she's just with me more when I'm on the bike!
If anyone can keep the kind of relentless pace up to knacker a pointer either they are on a road bike or the trails are even more flat than round my way.
(But, of course I bow to the greater knowledge of the STW vet community)

Our Lab (7 years old) broke after running 8 miles with me. Labs are eaters not runners

Ive got a five year old chocky lab and take him out if its around an hours quick blast through the woods. Last summer I took him out on a hot day for a couple of hours (obviosuly with plenty of water) , It totally ****ed him for days and I will never do it again . I think labs are like horses they will just keep running , Im also wary as he keeps wanting to get in front which is great fun that I dont end up catching his leg . Im sure he will recover just watch you dont over do it as they obviously are well known for hip problems.

I shall stop off at Pets at home and buy her some treats to assuage my guilt.

Erm heat stroke ? Even if you gave her enough water?

Also Labs get hip dysplasia and osteochondrosis which affects the joints so the run could have exacerbated a pre-existing condition.

Anyway it really depends on how severe the sign are. If she is in quite a lot of pain I would take her to your vet to at least get some doggy pain killers - NOT IBUPROFEN!!!! He/she can then check her joints out at the same time i.e. range of motion, flexion, crepitus etc.

Certainly if she it still sore after a few days then I'd get her checked out esp. at such a young age 🙂

We took our dog our for two fairly quick laps of Cwmcarn one weekend (separate days), and he was hobbling a bit on the Sunday evening.

He was a bit stiff for a couple of days, so now we won't take him if we know we're doing to go fast, or cover a lot of distance. It's not easy to leave him behind because he definitely makes a ride more fun, and loves to run.

My mates dog (heinz 57) is the same - used to go miles but now too much and she get a bit lame on the front end so leaves her at home on long trips IIRC 🙂

I had this potential fear- I had to ease right off as Bingo was too eager down technical sections. Dog/bike best left to the canal tow path or park IMO.

Unless you like the risk of big vet bills in the future.

My pointer is now 20 months old and I've taken him for 1 hour max rides since he was 6 months old - albeit on a singlespeed and going slowly on the downs as speeding down hills is what will cause joint issues- like DezB says I think if anything I cramp his style a bit and slow him down!
We've only had one dog /bike interface (pretty slow speed as I was always wary) and he's learned pretty quickly from that.

Probably either dehydrated or ran out of energy. Mrs M has had one dog collapse out working a very long tough day

More importantly, Labradors are very susceptible to hip problems and are simply not designed to run for long distances. If you take a Lab biking regularly you stand a 99% chance of seriously shortening its active life by several years

Yeah you have to be really careful.

I have a 5 year old chokkie lab too and he just wants to run and run and run. If i am out on the bike i tend to limit it to an hour, if i am running he can easily come for a couple of hours as its a slower pace. Fetch he will play all day long and then when he's knackered he'll go and find the nearest mud puddle to wallow in.

Labs need to be exercised a lot, as mentioned above they are prone to hip problems, and if you leave them in the house eating a lot and getting fat this will only aggrevate that. But there is a limit and certainly when biking.

Jools, she'll probably be fine with a bit of rest.

It does highlight the fact that we need to be careful with our dogs though. They can't (or won't) say "I'm tired, can we slow down please?"

I am well aware of the hip problems that Labs get but she is lean and very fit. I thought keeping her excercised would strenghten the muscles and ligaments around her joints and probably help her stay active for longer, is that not the case then?

It's all academic now the wife has banned me taking her out on the bike.

Jools, as i stated above that is the case. With labs it is extremely important to keep them lean and exercised. The fat labs you see waddling around are those that are prone to the hip problems.

I am well aware of the hip problems that Labs but she is lean and very fit

Nope: over activity can be as bad as underactivity, sorry 🙂 But a fit and non-overweight/underweight dog is best - Everything in moderation 🙂

are those that are prone to the hip problems

Erm yes and no - being overweight will accelerate pre-existing joint problems but certainly hip problems are associated with bone and joint development when young.

hip problems are associated with bone and joint development when young.

agreed.

Vet J. 2009 May 8. [Epub ahead of print]
Diagnosis, genetic control and preventive management of canine hip dysplasia: A review.

Ginja MM, Silvestre AM, Gonzalo-Orden JM, Ferreira AJ.

Department of Veterinary Science - CITAB, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
Abstract

Despite expensive screening and breeding programmes, hip dysplasia (HD) continues to be one of the most common orthopaedic diseases in dogs. The vast majority of dogs afflicted with HD show minimal to no clinical signs, but it can also be a highly debilitating condition for both working and pet dogs. Hip joint laxity is considered a major risk factor for the development of degenerative joint disease and a definitive diagnosis is made if characteristic signs are evident on a ventrodorsal view of the pelvis. Early prediction of the condition can be made using stress radiographic techniques to evaluate the passive hip laxity. The diagnosis of HD may be used for the purpose of selecting breeding stock or to decide on the best treatment approach. Breeding programmes based on individual dog phenotypes have been ineffective and a selection procedure based on breeding value (BV) estimation is recommended. Traditional conservative and surgical treatment approaches are reserved for dogs with overt clinical signs of the disease but such treatments can be expensive and aggressive, and are often ineffective in eliminating clinical signs or subluxation and in preventing the development of degenerative joint disease. The implementation of breeding programmes based on BVs and further research into early prediction/diagnosis of HD and effective preventive treatment approaches are essential.

Sorry to digress - bit of R&R is in order I think to return to the OP - but maybe go to your vet if it persists or gets worse - at least you might need some doggy pain killers in the short term (sorry repeating myself again).

Nope: over activity can be as bad as underactivity

Exactly right.

Maybe you should start riding a Mountain Unicycle 😉 (sorry if I held you up).

Rest and Cod Liver Oil added to food. Vet may add analgesia, eg, Meloxicam.

So it was you!!! I waited in a good spot so no issues.

You are properly mad though!!!

Labs are like dustbins, she had someones flapjack at the shop that had only just been put down. On the plus side when the kids are messy it saves lots of floor mopping!

😀 (hope your's dogs okay)

Cod Liver Oil

Labs are like dustbins

On Saturday i watched mine eat a bumblebee and subsequently get stung, came running over for comfort then sulked for an hour.

Over the rest of the weekend he did the same thing 3 more times!

Who said dogs are intelligent?

There is such a thing as too much and too little. Especially approaching warmer weather.

Ontop of this a dog will always go above and beyond to please his master so you should ride slower and shorter IMO. Exercise and strain are two different concepts.

I think the missus is right in the winter it's better - slower, cooler and softer underfoot. I think she may have got in the way of a guy behind me too.

When my Collie had ran too much (he was a working dog) he'd get quite stiff the next day. The vet gave us [url= http://www.metacam.co.uk/dogs/dogs.html ]Metacam[/url]. Worked a treat.

we would always take Mars bars etc for the dog

Please don't give chocolate to your dog. It contains a chemical that causes their heart to beat very quickly, which can be fatal.

Hope the dog has recovered, they'll follow you to the ends of the earth. Loyalty.

She had a cup of sweet tea a day on the sofa and seems to be her old self again, still looking at me in a funny way though!

I know it's an appealing proposal to take your dog out riding with you but I personally think it's a bad idea. Thing is, dogs have a different agenda, we think they are charging ahead because they're having fun and joining in the whole adrenaline/dude thing, but actually they are trying to be pack leader in the front. Dogs can run themselves to death. I only take Missy out on slow, cool, very short night rides.

I wouldn't run a lab too far, it's asking for trouble.

double post.

I hope your dog is ok.

I think moderation is the key to life 😉

I have heard old gaffers say that dogs will run to death in some situations.

Hmm ❓

I just got back in from a towpath ride with our Parsons russel 16 month old .
about 5 miles all at his pace with me following .
10 minutes on the sofa and he is bouncing around like a fool again .
he is there tail wagging when ever I put on the cycle kit now.

I think we must have a belligerent dog then as when he's had enough running he just slows down to his own pace and makes us wait for him, and we then just pootle along at his pace until he fancies running again. He's a Collie cross and going out with us on the bikes is probably his favourite thing... apart from chasing sticks that is!

He's got dodgy knees already, the vet thinks it's probably from too much jumping about for balls and sticks and he takes a joint supplement, but the running really seems to help him as since he started coming out with us, and we slowly increased the distance and speed, he's been a lot better and is hardly stiff at all these days.

My dog has been to the vets 3 times in the past week -on a ride 2 weeks ago he cut his paw on some glass & has now has had 2 ops to try sort it.

Its made me realise that even though he is super fit and as a beagle he is bred to run all day - taking your dog 'mountain biking' is a different kettle of fish. A month ago we did 2 laps of Gisburn - every pad on his paw was grazed and it took over a week to get better.

Im not going to feel guilty when I leave him at home now - much better just going for a walk in the woods.

Hope your dog gets better soon. 😀

he cut his paw on some glass whilst & has now has had 2 ops to try sort it.

Tis a bugger trying to get paw injuries to heal - Like you getting a big cut on your feet but not being able to rest it - especially if you had a thick cornified (pad) layer like dogs 🙁 They don't like foot bandages on do they 🙂

Can I just say, that each times I have read the words "I've broken my dog" today I have smiled slightly?

I feel sorry for the dog, but I love the idea that you've "broken" it. 🙂

They don't like foot bandages on do they

He kept biting the padding and bandage off even though he was wearing a buster collar! He has now been fitted with a 35cm version - he looks like a walking lamp shade!

LOL @ Oxnop - poor little mite 🙂 Walking through doors with those things on is sad/comical IME 😉

Jools - hope the dog is doing better. I got a lab / boxer cross 2 years ago specifically so she could come to our office with me, come riding with me, and fit in with my lifestyle. Had dogs from the rescue before but the lurcher was a nightmare with sheep!

Anyways, got a lot of advice about the running thing from vets, dog trainers and so on because i knew she'd be out in the Lakes with me all the time. In general a dog responds to exercise just like us - if you suddenly go out and work twice as hard as normal you come home feeling every muscle you never knew you had. Difference is, we know why, but the dog doesn't.

So don't beat yourself up too much. Sounds like you're one of the 1 percent of lab owners who keeps their dog slim, trim and out doing sport.

As for karin0fNine and the "dogs should be at home" I have to disagree. A dog is a pack animal and just because it is running with its pack it doesn't mean it believs that being in the lead is a sign of leadership. Banjo trots at heel when told, runs ahead when allowed and slows to let me catch up on really long climbs. Bike rides wouldn't be the same without her.
Chris

My Dogs poorly got something wrong with his one leg and limps on it permanently, the vets have pinned his leg but all to no avail.

The only time he doesn't limp on it is when he's in full flight! He's just two years old and I've never had the chance to take him out on the bike with me, my last dog loved it when she was younger and went everywhere with me, and I was hoping that once he was 18-24months old he would be able to do the same, it looks like he's never going to be able too 🙁

Its getting me down a little as I've had both of his arms pinned and screwed and he's got so much energy (a springer spaniel that's not allowed to burn it off) its terrible for him really.

She is a bit stiff but basically OK I think I just overdid it. Thanks for all the advice..Did feel a bit shitty earlier but she's all good...Gave her a pigs ear that jollied her up..

Sorry to hear about the other ill pups, heartbreaking stuff, I love dogs me...

We had an old spaniel that used to get stiff on a long run (shooting days). My Mum used to crumble half an aspirin into something it would eat - seemed to free it up quite well as I recall.

If you need to find out if she's capable of going out with you

"send her away for a Lab test"

get it, get it......boom boom!

(sorry)

My 8 month old lurcher loves coming out with me. He's an absolute natural and just runs along side the back wheel in a "heel" position. He does 3-4 miles and doesn't even pant - he even yawns whilst running! He carries on as if he hasn't been out at all. I'm really tempted to take him on a 10 mile local route but I think it still may be too soon. What age do people start taking their dogs on longer rides?
Hope your pup is ok Jools.

joolsburger, you will kill your dog one day if you carry on doing this, dont do it again, be sensible and use some common sense.

I hope the dog is ok and wont have to go through this again, (speaking from a lifetime dog's lover/owner)

Guybe, thats out of order, you are either trolling or haven't read the original post.

At the (almost guaranteed) risk of a flaming, do you guys really think it's appropriate to take dogs out mountain biking, from the perspective of other people?

We caught a chap up on Leith the other day with 2 dogs, he was plodding through the singletrack, which was fine in itself, but his dogs were all over the place, charging ahead then running back towards him, then turning around to chase him again, right under our wheels, standing in the middle of the trail and generally being a bit dangerous!

I'm sure everyone here will say 'my dog's really well behaved' but when you're on a bike you are in no position whatsoever to control them, what do you do if you're riding along and you approach a small child who's terrified of dogs? I can see first thing in the morning, or other really quiet times, it's marginally more appropriate, but most of the time it seems rather irresponsible. Doesn't seem too good for the dog either!

I think that debate has been done to death already, don't start it off again!! 😉

Fair enough, just to ensure that there's some hatred toward me from this thread, I'm gonna say how much I resent the 'love me, love my dog' attitude so many have.

Folk should be able to ride along without having to endure some slobbering mutt sniffing around near them!

Now... dog loves unite!

What a joy-filled world you must live in njee.

Why don't you find something positive to put your energy into instead of just trolling on internet forums?

My world is filled with joy thank you, I just don't like dogs, and shouldn't have to suffer other peoples badly behaved ones!

When I have kids I'm going to train them to sh1t in the middle of the pavement and lick your crotch when you come near, then coo 'aren't they sweet'!

Anyway, I'm going to do something more positive with my energy and go for a ride!

Your dog is probably feeling the way you or I would after a long run, stiff and a bit sore. Rest and a treat sounds like the right answer. You'll know if you really over did it if she refuses to run with you again.
Our cocker spaniel got sore feet climbing Cairngorm, the rough granite sanded her pads pink 😳 . A day's rest did the trick.

My dog Sam comes out with me on the Surrey Hills for plenty of rides, 4 hours is about max for him though. He is a Huntaway though so of working stock and breed to run and run. And when he overtakes njee20 down Barry Knows best I shall ask him not to comment....

Dogs 4 life 😛

The dog was all good this morning so I'm happy again. Few bowls of sweet tea and a good night on the sofa, works for people too.

Fair comment regarding dogs getting in the way, my one is pretty well trained and runs to heel and is disinterested in other dogs and people so she tends to ignore everything but me. On the downs I assume that she is pretty much right behind me but she has no regard for following the path and takes pretty much the quickest route from where she is to where I am.

Anyway the wife has spoken and the dog is banned from the trails so I expect Njee will be happier!!!

TLC...

Me and the old dog both took fish oil tablets and Glucosamine for the joints but don't give ibuprofen to dogs it's poison to them. I got properly told of by my vet for doing this.

DON'T GIVE IBUPROFEN TO DOGS

Here's some easily googled info re Aspirin which is not so bad as Ibuprofen but still not good..

Aspirin has been used by dog owners in the past although it is not recommended by most vets, as a range of drugs with fewer side effects are now available. The standard dose of aspirin is 5mg/lb of body weight (so for a 100lb dog that would be about one and a half standard aspirin) twice a day and should always be taken with food. Aspirin, like many NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory dugs) can cause many serious side effects including include vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, lethargy, and diarrhoea, kidney and liver problems and ulcers. It can also interact with other prescription medication so you should always consult with a vet before administering aspirin.

There are several NSAIDS which are more suited for dogs such as meloxicam, caprofen and deracoxib. If your vet does recommend aspirin or any other NSAID for your dog then you should watch closely for symptoms such as changes in urination habits, odour or colour, loss of appetite, vomiting and black or tarry stools. Other human painkillers such as Panadol and paracetamol have also previously been used in animals but can have even more serious side effects than aspirin.

Got a two year old Chokky here and she loves coming biking but I only take her for a local spin, she came out with the lads for a night riding session recently (wife got her an orange coat with flashing led's)and she loved it but she can hear a wrapper from 100M. Although the next day all she did was sleep. I think that short runs when its not too hot and lots of play and walks.
She loves trail building days as well but the other guys dont as she removes any sticks or branches that are put down and and runs away with them and with the big sad eyes she always gets more of the sarnnies than anyone else

jee20 - Member

My world is filled with joy thank you, I just don't like dogs, and shouldn't have to suffer other peoples badly behaved ones!

You shouldn't. I have no issue with well behaved / trained dogs. Saw one at Laggan who looked like they were having real fun - following 10 m behind its owner and flying off the jumps. When the owner stopped the dog was impatient to be off again.

Its the well behaved and trained dog bit that is cruicial.

TJ - let sleeping dogs lie!

If your vet does recommend aspirin

I am afraid in most situations he/she cannot recommend aspirin as it is not licensed for use in dogs. That is why he/she has to recommend drugs like Meloxicam (Metacam) and Carprofen (Rimadyl) - Deracoxib is not available in the UK to my knowledge?

Be very careful about administering pain relief to your pet - at least contact your vet first!! (This is not an excuse to print money) And dont use dose regimens off the internet unless it is from a recognised veterinary drug formulary - [off pedestal]

Its the well behaved and trained dog bit that is cruicial.

Here here! It's hard to object when they are well behaved, I'm happy to concede that!

And when he overtakes njee20 down Barry Knows best I shall ask him not to comment....

Is that a challenge? You and the mutt down BKB? Sounds reasonable to me. Saturday?

🙄

Is that a no? I'll be up there anyway in the morning, always good to ride with different people.

doubt I will be that way to be honest. more likely my end of the hills (dorking)ranmore/boxhill etc.

Apologises if my post was too harsh, after reading it, I guess it was 'straight in your face' comment. Sorry.

As long the dog is ok and doesnt have to go through that again, then it's good.

DTFU.