Dog days

Nov 11, 2009
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Our two Springers are approaching 14 years old and still capable of walks up to 5-6 miles if kept on a lead. One had meningitis five years ago and developed joint stiffness. After trying anti inflammatories, green mussels, etc our vet suggested a medication called Cartrophen. So we started her on a course which wasn’t the licensed approach. Instead she had four injections one week apart, followed by follow up injections at 5-6 weekly intervals. The other one had major knee surgery (TTA) in Spring 2019 and arthritis was also diagnosed in her other hip too. So she was put on cartrophen too with the same regime as her chum.

Both dogs have retained or regained a really good level of mobility as far as walks are concerned or jumping onto beds. They no longer run as fast as they did, or jump four foot sheep netting but will still hunt pheasants to exhaustion if allowed.
So if anyone has a dog with joint problems cartrophen could be worth considering. It costs us £33 every 5-6 weeks so not expensive.
 
Nov 11, 2009
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Sounds like father in law could do with it too!!
I wouldn’t disagree on that one. Last year I even had to buy some walking over trousers that zipped open to just below my knees. It was becoming almost impossible to put my others on when standing up. Either the legs wouldn’t bend high enough or I couldn’t balance to well with or without rucksack. It’s so undignified having to sit on wet grass to put your over trousers on. 😂
 
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Our two Springers are approaching 14 years old and still capable of walks up to 5-6 miles if kept on a lead. One had meningitis five years ago and developed joint stiffness. After trying anti inflammatories, green mussels, etc our vet suggested a medication called Cartrophen. So we started her on a course which wasn’t the licensed approach. Instead she had four injections one week apart, followed by follow up injections at 5-6 weekly intervals. The other one had major knee surgery (TTA) in Spring 2019 and arthritis was also diagnosed in her other hip too. So she was put on cartrophen too with the same regime as her chum.

Both dogs have retained or regained a really good level of mobility as far as walks are concerned or jumping onto beds. They no longer run as fast as they did, or jump four foot sheep netting but will still hunt pheasants to exhaustion if allowed.
So if anyone has a dog with joint problems cartrophen could be worth considering. It costs us £33 every 5-6 weeks so not expensive.

Really pleased to read your dogs are continuing to enjoy life and mobility OC - wondeful / true companions! Our previous dogs were a pair of rescue Northern Inuits (a crossed breed which included German Shepherd). Both lived to good ages, the boy went first after suffering a big stroke and a few months later the girl, Lupa started suffering with more laboured mobility through her back hips. A few months later she'd reached the point where standing was getting difficult for her so back over to the vets, struggling to hold back tears as I thought would be a one way trip. Vet prescribed Metacam (a liquid you squirt from a syringe onto their food ) - said give it a go. Couldn't believe the result, no long walks / running again but short walks were comfortable for her and we were blessed to have nearly 2 years more with her in comfort and able to get around: again not a high cost medicine, i think worked out around £15 per month about 5 yrs ago.
 
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Really pleased to read your dogs are continuing to enjoy life and mobility OC - wondeful / true companions! Our previous dogs were a pair of rescue Northern Inuits (a crossed breed which included German Shepherd). Both lived to good ages, the boy went first after suffering a big stroke and a few months later the girl, Lupa started suffering with more laboured mobility through her back hips. A few months later she'd reached the point where standing was getting difficult for her so back over to the vets, struggling to hold back tears as I thought would be a one way trip. Vet prescribed Metacam (a liquid you squirt from a syringe onto their food ) - said give it a go. Couldn't believe the result, no long walks / running again but short walks were comfortable for her and we were blessed to have nearly 2 years more with her in comfort and able to get around: again not a high cost medicine, i think worked out around £15 per month about 5 yrs ago.
Wayne
Thanks, we hold a small bottle of Metacam just in case they show signs of discomfort after overdoing it. But so far it’s not been used. I’ve had dogs pretty much all of my life but my immediate family are saying these should be the last for quite understandable reasons. But I must admit that i would miss the companionship, and going out for walk on a wet gloomy winters day might be above my motivational level. However there may be light ahead. My grandson has a new partner and she has a 4 year old Weimaraner which her previous husband can no longer look after. So they are moving this weekend from a flat to a house near us, and “Riley” is being shipped down from Helensburgh on Saturday. I suspect that with both of them working and doing university courses I might become a fosterer, hopefully with no vets bills coming my way 😁
 
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Jan 3, 2012
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I am also pleased about your two dogs are enjoying life and mobility OC hope they continue with reasonable health . We also have two dogs but the female is a border terrier she is 11+ still in great shape running but not to fast these days . she loves anything that moves like chasing rabbits..
The other one is a short leg jack russell he is 7+ but very timid any noise he likes to hide in his favourite place a cupboard ,
So far the joints in both dogs are ok .
 
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We have a 15 year old Shih-Tzu, Oscar.
His eye sight is almost nil.
Hearing is very poor.
He's had both his cruciate ligaments done over the years.
Had 2 cancerous lumps removed.
Apart from all this.....he's fine..lol(and our "little baby).

He's now really struggling on his back legs especially if he's been led down for a while and is affecting his balance.

We also use the Metacam occasionally but the vet told us that with this type of medication,regular blood test need to be carried out.(I think he mentioned liver/kidneys).
We respectfully told him that at 15 years old,as long as the Metacam helps him,we would not be willing to undergo blood tests.
I think our vet took on board our wishes and has happily prescribed his medication since then.
Our "little boy" 🥰

20180903_123120.jpg
 
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Clive .......... that is sounding like a winning plan to me for all parties! 🤞 (hopefully of course your lovely springers will also contiue to enjoy loads more happy times)(y) Like you, I'm a dog person: when we said a sad but "nice" goodbye to Lupa Jo and I said Never Again! Pets are family members and it is every bit a true bereavement , BUT fwd a number of months, not being greeted with the welcome home you get when you've been out of the house be it for a few minutes or couple of hours and the motivation to go out for walks etc - after much persistance / waving lots of adverts in front of Jo a picture of our little fella Charlie appeared on Gumtree. He was 12 weeks old and a very nice young family had bought him 4 weeks prior with their hearts - but not with informed heads. Was like having a job interview over the phone! convinced Jo to just go and "have a look" with me, had been told he was nervous with people, got there and within a minute he'd scrambled onto Jo's lap and she fell instantly in love, Anyways to socilaise him I forced myself into the RBL orlocal pub coming back from walks (Avatar pic) .....and to force a couple of pints down me - true sense of duty: I think we'll both need socialising again post lockdown! - important to keep it up!
Long may your Springers continue to enjoy happy times and heres hoping for the arrangement with the Weimaraner - will be great for you all!
Cheers Wayne
 

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Nov 11, 2009
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We have a 15 year old Shih-Tzu, Oscar.
His eye sight is almost nil.
Hearing is very poor.
He's had both his cruciate ligaments done over the years.
Had 2 cancerous lumps removed.
Apart from all this.....he's fine..lol(and our "little baby).

He's now really struggling on his back legs especially if he's been led down for a while and is affecting his balance.

We also use the Metacam occasionally but the vet told us that with this type of medication,regular blood test need to be carried out.(I think he mentioned liver/kidneys).
We respectfully told him that at 15 years old,as long as the Metacam helps him,we would not be willing to undergo blood tests.
I think our vet took on board our wishes and has happily prescribed his medication since then.
Our "little boy" 🥰

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What a lovely photo a super little chap. Certainly doesn’t look his age. Our daughters Springer has medication for bladder issues. Her vet kept talking about blood tests but our daughter took the same line as you and the vet agreed.
 
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Clive .......... that is sounding like a winning plan to me for all parties! 🤞 (hopefully of course your lovely springers will also contiue to enjoy loads more happy times)(y) Like you, I'm a dog person: when we said a sad but "nice" goodbye to Lupa Jo and I said Never Again! Pets are family members and it is every bit a true bereavement , BUT fwd a number of months, not being greeted with the welcome home you get when you've been out of the house be it for a few minutes or couple of hours and the motivation to go out for walks etc - after much persistance / waving lots of adverts in front of Jo a picture of our little fella Charlie appeared on Gumtree. He was 12 weeks old and a very nice young family had bought him 4 weeks prior with their hearts - but not with informed heads. Was like having a job interview over the phone! convinced Jo to just go and "have a look" with me, had been told he was nervous with people, got there and within a minute he'd scrambled onto Jo's lap and she fell instantly in love, Anyways to socilaise him I forced myself into the RBL orlocal pub coming back from walks (Avatar pic) .....and to force a couple of pints down me - true sense of duty: I think we'll both need socialising again post lockdown! - important to keep it up!
Long may your Springers continue to enjoy happy times and heres hoping for the arrangement with the Weimaraner - will be great for you all!
Cheers Wayne
Thats not RBL upholstery I’m sure 🙈
 
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Oscar is a real beauty!!! - he looks very happy in that lovely photo! reminded me: we were told the same ref Metacam, initially bllod test every 3 months to re-issue the prescription then agreed benefir far outweighted risks after 6 months. Lupa was on it every day, thank goodness she tollerated it with no issues.
Hope Oscar continues to enjoy lots of happy times: he's clearly surrounded by love!
 
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Thats Oscar about 2 years ago.
He can now walk for about 20 minutes then needs a rest in his "walker".
Worth its weight in gold that walker.
It means me and the wife can continue walking while he has a rest.👍
He follows the wife everywhere.
She takes him to work with her now as well because we can't really leave him on his own for too long.
Should have mentioned......he's crossed with a Chinese Crested.
 
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Jan 3, 2012
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This my Border Terrier Sadie she loves to run so far her health has been great
Short leg Jack Russell he called Sammy his health is also great but had his teeth cleaned and some taken out he is very timid .
Here are some photo"s of them .
 

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Thats Oscar about 2 years ago.
He can now walk for about 20 minutes then needs a rest in his "walker".
Worth its weight in gold that walker.
It means me and the wife can continue walking while he has a rest.👍
He follows the wife everywhere.
She takes him to work with her now as well because we can't really leave him on his own for too long.
Should have mentioned......he's crossed with a Chinese Crested.
Was the other dog called Max? Your picture of Oscar in the pram rings bells?
 
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Buckman.
Our other dog was called Spirit.Rescued Springer Spaniel.
Unfortunately,had to have him put to sleep 2 1/2 years ago due to a massive stroke😪

Lots of lovely pictures of all your "best friends"...😊
20181226_201652.jpg
Sorry.......couldnt resist showing this one as well😂
20170902_151233.jpg
 
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Our two Springers were riddled with arthritis from about 11 years. Liquid Metacam helped considerably and kept them mobile and pain free. We also gave them a turmeric tablet, trade name Seraquin. The managed to get to 14 1/2 this year and passed on. Active to the very end but that’s Springers for you.C558F6C5-D351-4526-A6BD-F49221C9CA44.jpeg
 
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We are dog people too, lost our darling Bella the Border last year after 12 years, miss her every day.
Our current Gang are LouLou the Jack Shitzu cross, 9 years old (rescued from a puppy farm at 3 weeks old) and the glorious Sally the Border, 14 months old.
Our whole life revolves around the girls.IMG_20201111_195559.jpg
 
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