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I have run for the last 7 years with my Labrador retriever ...

Sent to Dog Experts October 10 2005 at 6:15 AM
   

I have run for the last 7 years with my Labrador retriever (since she was just under a year old). Last year she got lame after a recurrence of lime disease. X-rays and a physical exam indicated spondylosis and arthritis. We tried glucosamine but she appeared to get hives from it so we stopped that. It did not clear up and bloodwork tests indicated that she had an allergy to a bacteria so our vet started her on ciproflex. Since she was remaining lame, periodically had flare-ups of the urticaria and appeared depressed, and since I know humans can have stress-induced urticaria, I thought that all the symptoms ( as well as bouts of IBS she had might be due to her lost activity and role. She gradually has recovered to jog twice daily for half an hour after a sequential program of rest, positioning, progressive walking/swimming and now jogging on soft ground only. The urticaria appears to be resolved, although she does have bouts of IBS if we get off-schedule. We have our 2 year old basset hound with us and my son is concerned that such running is bad for dogs, that it led to the labrador’s spondylosis and arthritis, that it is especially basset hounds (due to their long back and short legs) and that it will lead to arthritis and spondlyosis in her too. Should I be concerned about impact injuries and arthritis or spondylosis? Both love to jog and the lab is jumping before going out like she did years ago. What real concerns should I have?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $5
Answer
October 10 2005 at 8:39 AM (2 hours and 24 minutes and 15 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
It sounds like you are astute about your dog's physical condition. The goal is to have enough activity to stay fit and slowly strengthen, but not stress weaker parts of her body. There are definitely benefits to staying fit and developing good muscle tone. Muscle strength will help to alleviate the strain on spondylitic and arthritic joints. Swimming and hydrotherapy have lately become very highly rated for supporting muscle development and improving range of motion.

Your labrador may have days when she is just not feeling up for quite so much activity; pay attention to what she is telling you as you've been doing and adjust.

Basset hounds were not designed for long distance runs. As long as you respect that about the basset and again, pay attention to what the dog is telling you about her tolerance, then the activity will contribute to EVERYONE's health and wellbeing, including your own. BTW, there are very convincing studies in dogs showing that dogs lean and fit dogs live longer (on average) and age more gracefully than overweight dogs.

Basically, as I read your posting, it sounds like you are very observant, attuned to your dogs, and have a good amount of common sense. Carry on as you have been and your dogs should do fine.



Shannon Nakaya, DVM
Veterinarian/Author
www.kindredspiritkindredcare.com
Reply
October 10 2005 at 11:14 AM (2 hours and 34 minutes and 53 seconds later)
         
Reply to Shannon Nakaya's Post: I wished for a reply regarding the skin condition also. could it be a stress-induced urticaria?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
October 10 2005 at 3:43 PM (4 hours and 28 minutes and 48 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Urticaria/hives in dogs are much more often allergic reactions than stress reactions. I won't say it is impossible -- stress can certainly alter a dog's overall chemistry and decrease resistance or prompt IBD flare ups, but it would be very unusual for a dog to get stressed out and as a direct result of that, break out in hives.

I'm not sure what you mean when you describe an "allergy to a bacteria." There is blood testing, as well as, intradermal skin testing, to determine specific allergies. The results of those tests are usually more specific than "allergic to a bacteria."

Skin is the body's barrier. It has contact with bacteria all the time. Patients with allergic dermatitis can have a compromised skin barrier and therefore tend to get secondary bacterial overgrowths (particularly staphylococcus), but that would be a different problem.

Hives are typically treated with antihistamines. Bacterial overgrowths or infections are typically treated with antibiotics.

Do you have a medical background?



Edited by S Nakaya, DVM on October 10 2005 at 3:44 PM

Shannon Nakaya, DVM
Veterinarian/Author
www.kindredspiritkindredcare.com
Reply
October 10 2005 at 4:21 PM (38 minutes and 20 seconds later)
         
I am a pharmacologist and a psychologist. Thanks for your information. neither skin biopsy nor blood testing identivfied a spcific pathogen. the allergist consulted suggested some nonspecific allergic response to an undietifies bateremia based on the blood histology. that was an unsatisfying response. She's doing fine now , and i just needed reassurance that it is ok to contiue as I have without furhter medical follow-up. I do not wish to compromise her further as she is my friend.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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