http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/ Post your Lab health questions and info here. en Thu, 09 Sep 2010 18:39:34 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/images/misc/rss.png http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/ http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/112044-puppy-size-food.html Wed, 08 Sep 2010 06:01:48 GMT Hi! I have a male purebred 18 week old english lab puppy who has been getting prism growth formula food since i got him, which was around 11 weeks.... Hi! I have a male purebred 18 week old english lab puppy who has been getting prism growth formula food since i got him, which was around 11 weeks. Now, i am somewhat concerned about his weight which is only about 32 pounds, which i believe to be on the small side (correct me if i am wrong). Is there any other puppy foods that anyone can recommend that might be better for my boy? ]]> Lab Health and Nutrition infamous http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/112044-puppy-size-food.html http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/112033-help-my-chocolate-lab-has-anxiety-but-not-separation-anxiety.html Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:24:03 GMT My 3 year old female chocolate lab has an anxiety problem. It started about six months ago with her getting anxious, pacing, and leaving the room... My 3 year old female chocolate lab has an anxiety problem. It started about six months ago with her getting anxious, pacing, and leaving the room when my husband would get on his laptop. We figured out it was the noises, but if myself or kids got on it with the same noises, she does not react the same. We have a baby gate she will easily jump or she will try climb over things to get away. Recently she has gotten worse and now it is with thunderstorms or fireworks, etc. She shakes and tucks her tail between her legs. Last night there was no loud noises and she had like an anxiety attack. She was shaking and had her tail tucked between her legs for no reason. She ended up hiding in our downstairs shower and refused to come upstairs. She is never downstairs. We have in the past tried the dog calming pills from the pet store, but they didn't work. It was suggested to us to bring her kennel back into the house as she was trying to hide last night somewhere and she did it again tonight. No noises just us sitting around. Please help! Anyone have any info as to what is causing her to be so scared. It just breaks our hearts. We got her as a puppy at 9 weeks and she has been the easiet dog to train and is so sweet and loving. Thanks ! ]]> Lab Health and Nutrition stellasmom http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/112033-help-my-chocolate-lab-has-anxiety-but-not-separation-anxiety.html http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/112030-update-my-jrt-i-posted-about-3-months-ago.html Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:07:48 GMT We went to a neurology clinic in Aurora, IL, a suburb of Chicago that is about an hour from where we live. A wonderful vet and many tests resulted... We went to a neurology clinic in Aurora, IL, a suburb of Chicago that is about an hour from where we live. A wonderful vet and many tests resulted in a diagnosis of poly-arthritis. We are about 15 days into cutting down on the prednisone prescription and all seems to be going well.

It is so good to have her feeling better; she is probably 99 percent back to normal. It has been a long summer, but I am so thankful that she is doing so well. We alsolutely loved the neurologic vet. She was excellent at explaining everything.

Poor Halle was in so much pain and joints were so stiff that I was hand feeding her. This weekend I have been chasing her all over our 6 acres and DH has been filling in the holes she has dug.

Judy, mom to Reba the Lab and Jalapeno, the JRT ]]> Lab Health and Nutrition RebaHalle http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/112030-update-my-jrt-i-posted-about-3-months-ago.html http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111959-puffs-soft-stools-diarrhea-trip-small-animal-clinic-ksu.html Sat, 04 Sep 2010 21:22:17 GMT This last week, Puff's stools have been either soft (think soft mashed potatoes consistency) or occasional runny squirts. Yesterday, on her 2 PM potty walk, some soft stools came out covered by thick mucus. So I called one of my favorite vets at the Small Animal Clinic/KSU's CollVetMed and asked if we could/should come in-- we could be there in an hour. She said yes, she'd work us in.

So we went. Puff started having a mild anxiety attack (much heavy panting, moving around) as soon as she was convinced (about 20 miles/minutes away) that we were heading back to the place where she'd been left several days for surgery (a splenectomy & intestinal resectioning) & ICU care following.

But getting to meet new people slightly won out over the anxiety.

I turned over to them her latest stool (as well as I could collect it). And they tested it. Their diagnosis was clostridial enteritis:
PetCareLibrary - Clostridium Enteritis (petsvetsandyou.com)

The paper given me at discharge said:

"Treatment &/or Surgery: Qualitative fecal exam: no parasites were seen. Fecal smear: clostridial spores overgrowth."

"Medication: Metronidazole (250 mg). Give 1½ tablets by mouth every 12 hours. Start tomorrow morning." (Our vet gave Puff a first dose as we left & advice on how to give it since it's bitter.)

"Additional instructions: A stool smear was performed and an overgrowth of clostridium was found. We are sending home with Puff Metronidazole, an antibiotic, and Puff should be given 1½ tablets by mouth every 12 hours for 8 days. We recommend Puff be given a bland diet until the diarrhea has resolved. We are sending home 6 cans of Hill's I/D. She can also have boiled chicken or boiled ground beef with rice. If Puff's diarrhea hasn't resolved at the end of the antibiotics or if the diarrhea worsens, we would like to see Puff back for blood work and radiographs."

The bill:

Metronidazole_____________________6.56

Exam, Pet Health Center____________40.00

Fecal smear, in house_______________8.50

Fecal Flotation Ridley_______________16.50

6 cans Hill's I/D_____________________N.C.

Patient's Total $71.56

One of the reasons we prefer going to K-State's CollVetMed.

We weren't able to start driving home until 5 PM but it was worth it.

________________

ETA: Puff's weight today was only 55 lbs.; this bout with clostridium may have taken away from her regaining the weight she lost in her summer long battle with the Heterobilharzia parasite.

]]> Lab Health and Nutrition Bob Pr. http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111959-puffs-soft-stools-diarrhea-trip-small-animal-clinic-ksu.html http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111931-cant-walk.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:00:07 GMT HI all! I am new here....but have been a Lab mommy for 9 years! Our beloved Buck is having issues walking......backstory: Jan 09 he had a mild... HI all! I am new here....but have been a Lab mommy for 9 years! Our beloved Buck is having issues walking......backstory:

Jan 09 he had a mild stroke......we took him to a neurologist and they determined the stoke. since then, he's been pretty good.....getting around pretty good.....but the past few months, he's been getting worse.....last week we had him to the vet because he was having some mini seizures.
Today we had him back again because he can not walk....his back legs have no strenght and buckle. The vet thinks his issues are arthiritic as well as neurological. He gave him a steriod shot and some oral steriods.....other then upping the dosage, this is all we can do for him.

Does anyone have any expierence with any of these issues??

the vet said we should be seeing some major improvements....but so far, nothing.....he has not gone to the bathroom since last night!!!
Our hearts are breaking....we are not ready to give up!!

(this is a great site! i just found it kind of by accident!! can't wait to look around!!) ]]> Lab Health and Nutrition DELabMom http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111931-cant-walk.html http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111873-puppy-food.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:48:48 GMT So, we hired a trainer for our new puppy. He is a k9 instructor and specializes in search and rescue/tactical training. He came to our home to... So, we hired a trainer for our new puppy. He is a k9 instructor and specializes in search and rescue/tactical training. He came to our home to inspect what type of environment and food we were giving our puppy and suggested we move her onto a higher protein less gluten based diet (right now she is taking Purina Pro Plan for puppies).

He was concerned about her coat not being as shiny as it should be and suggested I purchased this organic formula blend he sells, or at the very least begin adding some egg to her breakfast or a frozen chicken thing, can't recall what it was called but it supposedly good for their jaws and has protein.

Is any of this information accurate? I would have expected my vet to have mentioned something regarding her coat, however the vet could not have been that great. I just want to make sure the most care is given to my new pup.

So, what type of food do you guys give your pups, and is it okay for them to ingest protein like us?

--Thanks ]]> Lab Health and Nutrition saltlife http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111873-puppy-food.html http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111828-sick-puppy-please-help.html Wed, 01 Sep 2010 04:59:27 GMT Our puppy, lola is about seven months old. We got her from a humane society at 9 weeks and just over a week later she got really sick. After... Our puppy, lola is about seven months old. We got her from a humane society at 9 weeks and just over a week later she got really sick. After multiple trips to the vet we found out she had severe coccidia and also some form of skin mites. She was placed on medications and a bland food diet and eventually started feeling well. Since then she has never had solid stools.. Actually they have always been runny-soft and smell horrible. Our yard literally smells like a petting zoo.. We pick up the poop as much as we can but sometimes we have to wait a day because her stools are too soft to remove. She also has bad gas that could clear a room. She has been on the same dog food since she was in the shelter (science diet healthy development), so its not due to a change in her food. She takes heartworm medicine and frontline every month, so its nothing associated with that. She does have separation anxiety and always has. So we wonder if she just works herself up and this causes the gas and diarrhea? Could this be allergies? Or could this be something digestive like coilitis? Any ideas? ]]> Lab Health and Nutrition lola http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111828-sick-puppy-please-help.html http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111757-hydrotherapy-home-need-help.html Mon, 30 Aug 2010 02:12:36 GMT Hi. I am a mom to a 10 year old lab that would really benefit from some hydrotherapy. However, it costs quite a bit in this area plus they close at... Hi. I am a mom to a 10 year old lab that would really benefit from some hydrotherapy. However, it costs quite a bit in this area plus they close at 4 on the weekdays (I'm @ work). In addition to this, we wouldn't meet some of their admittance requirements (vaccinations).

I'm also a "renter" so I can't really buy a pool and it would be useless in a month or so (winters are rough in Pittsburgh:-(

So, I am thinking of different ideas...I have a (heated) 2 car garage that I could set something up in so she can go in a few times a week (even during the cold winter months). I'm not really sure what I should do? A 3 ft pool w/ filter and the works? A large plastic pond insert that I fill each time with warm water so it doesn't get disgusting? A livestock trough? A kiddie pool that won't tear? Any ideas??? ]]> Lab Health and Nutrition Casper http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111757-hydrotherapy-home-need-help.html http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111720-hips.html Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:21:34 GMT How old or young do labs get hip dysplasia? Our girl is fixed and 9 months old. This last week she has signs of soreness in her hip. How old or young do labs get hip dysplasia? Our girl is fixed and 9 months old. This last week she has signs of soreness in her hip. ]]> Lab Health and Nutrition kathy3750 http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111720-hips.html http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111591-adequan.html Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:25:20 GMT Does anyone have any experience using Adequan injections? I have a 10 year old lab that has had trouble on NSAIDs. I just ordered Adequan. I'm running out of options.

Thanks ]]> Lab Health and Nutrition Casper http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111591-adequan.html http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111477-puppy-color.html Sat, 21 Aug 2010 20:50:22 GMT Hi! I'm new to this forum so hopefully I'm posting this question in the right spot....

We're fostering a Chocolate Lab that came into the shelter (SPCA) as a stray. She apprears to be a pure bred lab. Just a day after she arrived, she gave birth to 7 puppies! She and her pups will stay with us until they are weaned and ready to be adopted. At first glance, the pups all look to be black but when I look very close it seems that they have some brown undertones. Their hair is black but it has brown tips. My question: Does this sound normal? Will the pups turn jet black in color as they get older? We're assuming that the little ones are pure lab (look very lab like) but since momma was a stray... we don't know anything about the dad.

Thanks for your input. ]]> Lab Health and Nutrition Labfoster http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111477-puppy-color.html http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111472-neutering.html Sat, 21 Aug 2010 17:47:27 GMT We are scheduled to take Brodie, who is almost 2 years old to be neutured on Tuesday. He is totally insane for his food. We cannot feed him after... We are scheduled to take Brodie, who is almost 2 years old to be neutured on Tuesday. He is totally insane for his food. We cannot feed him after 8:00 p.m. the nigh before. My husband and I are usually up at 5:00 a.m. We are going to try to sleep in as late as possible. Can anyone offer any suggestions to keep him occupied. We cannot drop him off to the vet until 8:30 a.m. I am so dreading Tues. morning. Anyone who has a lab, knows how crazy they are for their food. We will definitely have a couple of hours to kill. HELP!! ]]> Lab Health and Nutrition mgiglio http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111472-neutering.html http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111432-neutered.html Fri, 20 Aug 2010 03:42:41 GMT We had our lady neutered approx 7 weeks ago at the age of 6 months and since then she hasn't grown or put on any weight at all and is exactly the same weight (23 kgs).
Is this a result of the operation or perhaps just a coincidence ? just seems a little strange to me. ]]> Lab Health and Nutrition alfie conn http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111432-neutered.html http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111389-help-weight-loss.html Thu, 19 Aug 2010 02:57:12 GMT I was disgussing this on a pit bull forum Im a member on and suddenly it dawned on me... why not find a lab forum and see if I can get the more... I was disgussing this on a pit bull forum Im a member on and suddenly it dawned on me... why not find a lab forum and see if I can get the more specific lab related questions I have answered! So I have joined here in hopes of learning more about labs specifically and particularly about help with getting my lab to loose weight.

Some history (sorry this is long but its hard to explain properly without background info)-
My family and I live with my in-laws. 2 years ago we decided we wanted to get a dog for our son. Inlaws thought it was a good idea also and a few months before I had my son co workers of my husband had a dog that needed a home. Sounded ment to be so we brought her home. She was about 8 months at the time, we named her Indy. I didnt know my inlaws well still so when MIL offered to pay for her spay I thought she was just being helpful and agreed to let her pay. I soon realized she was selectivly dog aggressive and she redirects. I got bit pretty bad breaking up a fight between her and a friends dog. A while later on a walk she tried to fence fight with a dog in a yard as we passed and when I pulled her away to keep walking she turned and lunged at my son who was in his stroller (who I thankfully pushed ahead of me a bit). Since I lost all trust in her aorund my son and stoped walking her (unfortunatly I dont have the option to leave him and take her on a walk alone) I tried rehoming her for her sake but my inlaws said no because they paid to spay her they wouldnt allow it (and cant do much when documents list them as her owner not me) as well as no rescuse would take a dog with a bite history. Along the way we got our OWN dog (the pit bull) who I have sucessfully gotten to loose 10 lbs and and working at getting him in shape as hes had bad hips since he was 8 months old. It recently inspired me to try and work Indy and get her in shape.

Indy is approx 77lbs (my husband held her on a bathroom scale for that so just an approx) For the last couple weeks I have been letting my pit bull, Harley out back to run and play with her about every other day. At first their play would end after about 5 minutes because she is so out of shape and fat, now they will run and play tug for about 20 minutes before she needs to start laying down and resting (which is when I bring Harley in and end play time). I have also recruited a friend to come when she can to start helping me walk Indy. I still do not trust her on walks to be close to my son so Ill walk Harley and push my son and my friend is going to walk Indy (and help train her to walk on a leash).

She was previously eating 2 cups of Pedigree dog food a day (according to MIL, who I knew was adding more than what I told her at one point but I think she may have stoped when I kept bringing up how over weight Indy is) I recently switched her to Costcos Kirkland brand food which its a touch better quality (Harley, who is allergic to almost everything with a super sensitvie stomach does well on it, and my wallet likes the price lol) Now to some questions I have.

I believe Indy should be approx a 60lb dog. Going off what the bag says that would mean feeding her 3 cups a day! My 61lb pit bull (whos in proper condition for his breed) eats 1 3/4-2 cups a day but hes also a lazy couch potato. Prior to Indy getting fat she was high energy but now, not so much. What would be some opinions on how much I should be feeding her?

Also what does a lab in good working condition look like? I know with pit bulls seeing some rib is ok/good. My boy is in such condition with nice muscle tone (because hes got bad hips Im going slow with him, I spent 5 months getting him to loose 10lbs and slowly building muscle) but how about labs? I know 'conditioned' dogs of different breeds have different standards and I dont want to make her to thin but at the same time I want her to be as trim as possible so as to help avoid any further stress on her poor joints.

Im going to try and start getting her out on at least 1 walk a week, maybe 2 if I can convince my husband to help and continue letting Harley out to run and play tug with her about every other day (so long as weather permits).

I just ran out and took some updated pictures of her Ill post them in a second so you have a better idea of what Im dealing with.

If you made it to this point, THANK YOU! Sorry its so long, I just dont want to end up hurting her instead of helping her. Ive never worked with such an over weight and out of shape dog before. . :redface: ]]> Lab Health and Nutrition Harleys Momma http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111389-help-weight-loss.html http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111385-dog-food-question.html Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:08:42 GMT I recently switched my dog to Pro Plan Plus food about 3 weeks ago. She seems to like it okay but I am also mixing a little wet food in there. I just... I recently switched my dog to Pro Plan Plus food about 3 weeks ago. She seems to like it okay but I am also mixing a little wet food in there. I just bought her the Pro Plan Plus large breed adult with shredded chicken. She is a 18 month old yellow lab and weighs 90-95 lbs. She seems to like the shredded chicken, but I just don't really know what it is. I read that it was soy, but it feels kind of spongy. Does anyone else feed their dog the shredded blend? I'm just looking for some advice from others as to if that food is good or not to feed her. Thanks!! ]]> Lab Health and Nutrition ugadawg1696 http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-health-nutrition/111385-dog-food-question.html