Hi all,

I've just registered on here so big hello to you all!!

Ive got a gorgeous rottie (Denzel) who is nearly 5 years old. He's always enjoyed his walks (what dog doesnt) and can normally go all day long. Recently though, like the last couple of weeks, he's been very slow while we are out. He starts out fine, bounces round while I get his lead on and leps into the back of the car, but after about 20 mins of brisk walking (he doesnt run much, his nose is too attached to the floor) he falls behind and looks like hes struggling a bit and wants to head back. He's not panting and i dont think he's tired, Im wondering if he's got some joint stiffness or something?

Does anyone have any ideas? Does it soind like his joints? Is there a supplement I can give to him or some food that might help? He eats chappie (tins with chappie mixer as well) at the moment, should i put him on some higher quality stuff? Any recomendations?

I feel a bit silly going to vet and saying "he's not right, but I dont really know why". He's just not Denzel at the moment

Hi,
Sorry to hear Denzil isnt himself. Changing food could be an option but if he has always been ok on Chappie then I think perhaps I would look down the supplement route first. If that makes a difference, then you could possibly think about a better food.

I'm v impressed by Pooch and Mutt's products. My dog has their bionic biotics for her tummy probs and it has been fantastic. She is in great condition and I keep her on a maintenance purely for that reason.

My cat recently showed signs of joint problems. Pooch and Mutt do a mobile bones supplement and after a quick email, Guy confirmed it was ok for cats. The difference again has been amazing. Not only is she more mobile but in great condition.

They do a money back guarantee and are v helpful if you email any queries.

I'm sure you will have lots more suggestions and I hope you will find one that you think sounds the best option for Denzil.

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"Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own”

Don't feel silly going to the vets, they can check his joints and any other signs that there may be.
The vet is certainly your first port of call then us if the vet can't find anything.
This hasn't coincided with the warm weather I suppose?

Dont feel silly going to the vet, any changes in behaviour and/or exercise tolerance need to be checked out especially if its been for a couple of weeks now. If he hasnt had an MOT for awhile its always worth getting them a check up. The vet would check all his joints anyway to see if there was pain response,
plus check his heart and lungs and things like his cirulation is good etc.
Just tell the vet that he hasnt got his usual tolerance for exercise and slows up after 20 minutes or so.

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Just to add to the sensible advice re a vet trip, medium to large breeds don't want to be on the go all day, they love their walks, but you have to remember not to over do things, so I would cut back the exercise in any case from the sounds of it, and try to involve a little more mental stimulation.

Thanks so much for replying!!

I'll ring the vets tomorrow then and get us booked in for an appointment - we've never been for anything other than his annual boosters (and to erm... have his bits taken away) so I think youre right I need to get him an MOT dont I.

I'll have a look at the Pooch and Mutt products too, thanks Mum2Heidi.

His walks arent excessive I dont think, he goes for a 15-20 min walk twice a day (time dependant on sniffing ), on the lead so no bouncing around in the week. At the weekend we go to our local country park for about an hour. Its this weekend walk he's having problems with so I think I'll shorten this walk down. But we have been known to spend the day walking on beaches which hasnt been a problem for him before, but I dont know if he'd cope at the moment.

The more I think about it the more I think I need to go and see the vets, oh joy.

Thanks again guys!

It's an excellent idea to get him an MOT at the vets. That way you will know exactly what you're up against before thinking about diet change and supplements.

Look forward to hearing how Denzil gets on

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"Life is mostly froth and bubble, Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own”

Good luck at the vets, let's hope you're worrying about nothing.

Regarding joint supplements, there are a few you can try that are commercially available, devil's claw and green lipped mussel extract. Fish oils are also good, I tend to give mine a tin of oily fish once a week, I don't give cod liver oil exclusively, as it's quite high in vitamin A, so prefer to give a mix of oils, salmon oil is another good one. You can give glucosamine/chondroiting, if giving the human version, you need to ensure your dog is getting a bit of vit C in their diet, to allow them to absorb the supplement effectively.

If you make your own food, a couple of things to consider adding are apple cider vinegar and curcumin (turmeric), both of which promote healthy joints and are related to other health benefits as well.

Another thing to consider trying is a bioflo collar, some people swear by them, although I had one for one of my dogs, and I didn't see any difference with her.

People often automatically assume when an older dog who has been previously healthy slows down, that it is their joints.

If a dog is going to develop major Hip problems, it will invariably be in the first 12 months of life - hence the guidelines on exercising medium and large breed puppies (and it seems increasingly small breed pups) - and elbows usually within the first 18 to 24 months.

It is possible his joints weren't brilliant to start with, and he has started to develop arthritis - something which afflicts dogs and humans alike - or his joints could have been fine and he could still develop arthritis.

Look at a lot of athletes who were super fit in their younger days - most of these go on to develop arthritic problems.

Personally, I would be going to the vet if I noticed a significant change in a dog who is still relatively young to get some peace of mind.

There are lots of supplements you can give dogs such as Fish oils to lubricate the joints, Glucosamine, MSM, Chondroitin and Green Lipped Mussel - they won't harm him and will help lubricate and protect his joints.

I don't know how much exercise you do - but also remember - at the moment -the weather has been very hot and muggy and I would exercise any dog with caution when the weather is like this, they can very quickly develop heat exhaustion.

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Let us know how you get on. If your vets do just booster him once a year they are pretty naughty anyway. They should at least give him a basic health check when they give the boosters, even if its just checking his heart and lungs, teeth
colouring of mucos membranes and things like his eyes, ears etc are clear and healthy looking. So if they dont and his now 5 it certainly wouldnt hurt.

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