Senior time

[Lab-adore]

My Lab is almost 10. She has recently started limping after getting up after resting, which looks related to arthritis. We know for sure due to x-rays she has some degree of arthritis, although I believe most dogs do by this age.

So, my question is.......Is this pretty typical for her age? Are most 10yo labs beginning to slow down by this age? She still eats like a horse and alwasy wants to go outside, or for a walk or be petted. She still have alot of happiness in her life, but the limping worries me.

What is your 10 yo old like?

[tkeizer]

I think this is a pretty common occurrence as labs get older. I have a 12 -year old lab and she started to slow down at around 10 years of age (arthritis, sore hips, tires more easily). She was a bit overweight and we managed to make her lose 20 lbs which definately put a bit of pep back into her, but you just can't fight age. They are bound to slow down eventually. I definately notice it more now that she's 12 -- although she still has the mind and spirit of a puppy! I think the best thing to do is to manage her diet and weight (just like us humans, they tend to gain weight as they get older), keep her as active as possible and give her all the love and attention she deserves.

[pinballdoctor]

Yes, slowing down at age ten is very typical for any breed of dog nowadays.

Joint supplements can help.

I also believe strongly in antioxidants, especially resveratrol, astaxanthin, and alpha lipoic acid... and fish oil or krill oil is a must for those old joints...eyes...brain...heart...

[PopTop]

Potion was 13 when she passed. She had OFA excellent rated hips and they were as clean and good as when she was rated at 2 years old. But she did have a degenerative spine disease.
Age does take it's toll on the joints, shoulders and hips. As soon as the seniors join our family we start them on glucosmine/chondrotin MSM and wild salmon oil. It does not cure the problem but helps keep the lining of the joints supple.
Melody is now 12 and I am noticing she is a little stiff at times. Every evening I do full range of motion exercises on her along with her favorite, a good rub down. And exercise appropriate for her age. It does sadden me as she is a little spitfire, out maneuvering our 8 year old Bandit.
Keeping weight down is so important so not to stress the joint.
As long as your girl wants to take a walk, take her. Maybe just shorter walks throughout the day.
And most of all, give her big hugs and love.

[Lab-adore]

Thanks everyone. We have her on Lubrisyn and Glyco-FLex. She eats Eagle Pack Holistic Lamb and Rice and is not overweight at all (#65 lbs). She's been walked 2-3 miles every day for the last 9.5 years.

I just thought that our efforts would pay off for a longer amount of time.
We love her.
We are looking at adding an anti=oxident or immune booster to her list of stuff.

[Black Labbies]

Nittany and Zoe are almost the same age. Zoe, who's 10 already, started slowing down this past winter. I think the cold winter got into her bones. She's still going strong, but slower. Her very recent blood work says that she's healthy, so...

She limps with her front legs, which is probably arthritis (and a 3 year history of left shoulder muscle problem), for which we're trying acupuncture. We're seeing improvement with the walks but going down the stairs isn't a lot better. Since Zoe can't tolerate most common 'doggy' arthritis/joint meds/supplements, we're going to try Astaxanthin. I just got the okay today from her vet to order it and start it. We're crossing our fingers and paws that this helps her.

I love seniors, but hate when they start showing their age.

Hang in there with Nittany .

[Lab-adore]

NIttany's bloodwork came back perfectly today! We are thrilled. She also had her senior vet visit and everything looks good except for her hips, which are tight. The vet believes she is uncomfortable at best and in slight pain at worst. We are going to try acriptin, which is a maolox coated asprin, as needed. We decided against the NSAIDS for now.

[PopTop]

YEAH - such great news. WAHOO for seniors.

I forgot to say, we also give 500 mg of Vitamin C per day. I do it mainly to help keep their urine from making burns in the grass, but over the years I have noticed it really helps them. Remember, whatever suppliments you give, it takes a while for them to work, don't look for any improvements for 2-3 months or more.

Your right, always choose the lowest dose/medication you can so if you need to move up you have options.

Never let them jump, up or down. Use ramps, steps, etc. Less chance of aggrevating the joints.

Just elated at your great news. Please give her a big hug for me.

[Lab-adore]

Originally Posted by PopTop

Just elated at your great news. Please give her a big hug for me.

You are very sweet. Thanks for the encouragement! She's my first dog ever, so watching her age is hard. I love her to death.
Seniors rule (except for all this medical stuff)

[3colors]

My senior girl will be 10 on July 19th. She is sound and in good health. She doesn't run with the kids, but she really never did even when she was younger. I think she believes such play is beneath her station in life, which is clearly Alpha... LOL

I haven't noticed any stiffness upon rising. I will say she has slowed down some, but not markedly. I notice because I live with her. I don't think anyone else would see a change in her.

I'm glad your girl received a clean bill of health. Always a relief, that's for sure.

My baby boy will be 13 on October 19th and in the past 4 months he has really slowed down. He is the last surviving brother of his litter with one sister left. He does not have arthritis but the vet did explain that neurological degeneration effects their rear ends so he does appear a lot weaker in the rear end. We have him on a low dose of Predoisone which has helped. He's always been around 100 lbs and in the past year he is weighting in at 91. I'm lucky enough to be able to bring him to work with me everyday so for the past 6 months we have been together for 24/7 and that's how it will remain until he goes to Rainbow Bridge.

[bejonline]

I no longer have Duncan with me, but he started needing an NSAID (he was on Metacam) daily and acupuncture once per month when he was ten. Our daily walks decreased to a .5 a mile to a mile total per day, but he still loved (and could) swim to his hearts content.

Duncan passed away when he was 12.5. He was young. It seems like your experience are normal, if not better, by what I experienced.

[Fanniefan]

we adopted our Fannie at age 10...she was fat and arthritic and couldn't do hardly anything...we helped her lose weight with diet and exercise, started her on Synovi-G3 supplement for her joints, and a drug called Duramaxx...everything was positive, but the Duramaxx was a MIRACLE!! She now runs, jumps, swims, and cavorts with our 2 yr. old lab. It is very expensive, but worth every penny for the joy we receive watching her live a new life! I know there are generics that work well for other dogs, but they did not make a difference for our girl.[ATTACH]28970

[Lab-adore]

Originally Posted by Fanniefan

we adopted our Fannie at age 10...she was fat and arthritic and couldn't do hardly anything...we helped her lose weight with diet and exercise, started her on Synovi-G3 supplement for her joints, and a drug called Duramaxx...everything was positive, but the Duramaxx was a MIRACLE!! She now runs, jumps, swims, and cavorts with our 2 yr. old lab. It is very expensive, but worth every penny for the joy we receive watching her live a new life! I know there are generics that work well for other dogs, but they did not make a difference for our girl.[ATTACH]28970

Thanks for the info! Our pup has stopped limping, but we will keep it in mind for the future!
PS-adoreable siggy pic!! Too cute.

[hughthedog]

Originally Posted by Lab-adore

Thanks for the info! Our pup has stopped limping, but we will keep it in mind for the future!
PS-adoreable siggy pic!! Too cute.

I am so happy that she is feeling better!