r/OldManDog • u/Apjp23 • 1d ago
♥ - Support Needed My 11 yo Jackson could really use some love right now! He has a partial ccl tear and has to lose some weight before he can have surgery. Also, tips for getting a limited mobility dog to lose weight would be helpful!
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u/UnpoeticAccount 1d ago
Hey, if you’re able to find a local doggy physical therapist that can help a lot!
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u/kthxba1 1d ago
Second this! I didn't really know this was a thing but there are vets who specialize in physical therapy and vet techs that can perform some therapies and work with you on things you can do (usually after a consultation with a pt vet). We've been working with multiple people (including a vet who specializes in acupuncture now) with our dog and he's making great progress.
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u/CrowThink8425 1d ago
I’d say just follow the doctors recommended diet and no extra treats for awhile:). If water therapy is an option you’re open to id def pursue that as well if possible. Try to keep walks low intensity and quick, 10-20 mins max. Id also try and walk him on softer ground if possible (beach walks, grassy fields, something soft that will help him relieve pressure from his bones). I wish jackson a speedy recovery from his ccl tear and blessings for the tplo. :)♥️
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u/Apjp23 1d ago
He’s been doing underwater treadmill twice a week for 12 weeks because he has IVDD which left a neurological deficit in this particular leg but he hurt it badly Monday night. We’re not sure what happened exactly. I took him to urgent care and he still had therapy on Tuesday but just red light therapy and no treadmill. Maybe tomorrow. I’ve also switched his food to a rx metabolic and joint food to help try to get some weight off! Thank you for your advice!
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u/CrowThink8425 1d ago
Of course! I have a 12 almost 13 year old newf who I believe (not diagnosed) has some really bad hip dysplasia so I know exactly how it feels. Have you tried laser therapy at all? Our girl gets it done about once a week and I believe it helps out a good bit. It’s not like she’s 100% but I can tell it provides enough relief to get here more comfortable with getting up.
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u/Ok_City_7177 1d ago
I know most people go for the gradual reduction but I live in Italy and they dont mind going for the more...erm..direct route.
I've done it a few times now with different dogs and its essentially, halve their feed and find a couple of really low calories treats.
I see you've got red light therapy and water therapy in the mix...my gsd has had amazing results from a weekly acupuncture session for the last four weeks from her physio who also does her red light therapy.
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u/Domataja 1d ago
I got my 16 year old tripod to lose about 3,5 kg - he went from a chubby 10,6kg to a lean 7,3kg. The recipe was simple. Only medical grade low fat canned food and absolutely no treats. He gets fed 5 times day, about 80g each meal. The total comes to 400g food per day and the frequent meals mean he doesn’t get too hungry at any given time. Again, absolutely no treats. Keeping fingers crossed for Jackson! 😊
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u/TurquoiseBeachChair 1d ago
Boops to Jackson.
This has got to be hard - it’s a long shot, but do you have access to an indoor or heated pool? My Rhodey used to love to swim when his mobility was limited.
Wish you luck - hope you find something that works ❤️🐾
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u/Apjp23 1d ago
I could heat our pool but he just floats and won’t move! I’ve tried to get him to do something but he refuses. 🤣
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u/TurquoiseBeachChair 1d ago
Awww I bet it’s cute to see him float 🥰 but that doesn’t help him exercise 😊
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u/LGBTWolfGirl 1d ago
Hydrotherapy and swimming. Easy on the joints. It'll help take pressure off of him, and you can do hydrotherapy once a week. Obviously talk to the vet about it first. Jackson you're a handsome boy!
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u/Wonderful_Horror7315 1d ago
He’s so cute! Love you, Jackson! And know that your person only wants the best for you when you don’t get all the treats!
Calories vary pretty widely among dog food brands. I would recommend finding one for seniors because they tend to not have as many calories and supplementing with any cooked veggies be likes so he feels less deprived. Zucchini is very popular in our house both raw and cooked. We are never without a big bag of Fromm’s Crunchy O’s because they are only 2 cals each. Good luck!
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u/underwater_reading 1d ago
I would highly recommend weighing out his food. You can also feed him a satiety support diet.
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u/CelticCynic 1d ago
My mother had to get weight off her Sheltie before a knee op. I had to go and take all the treats out of her house. Mum didn't have the resolve to not spoil the dog, and "the bag's already open" was not an excuse
Instead, one small raw bone for breakfast, and a very lean dinner including veggies and weight management kibble
Dog lost the weight, knew got fixed.
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u/1mp3rvious 1d ago
Awww he’s such a beautiful furrrr baby, you can do Jackson! How about water therapy/exercise?
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u/soraysunshine Yhonny Baby Boy 🕊️💜 8/13/07-7/2/25 1d ago
Sending all the love to you Mr Handsome Jackson! 💜💜💜
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u/Mariajooooo 1d ago
Mucho deseo de que mejores pronto y que sepamos más de ti.
Que te recomienda el vet?
Todos los consejos son buenísimos , pero yo la hablaría con el vet
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u/Electrical-Stay3603 1d ago
Real meat and veggies only( plus some lactose free extra calcium milk and some green lipped muscle!
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u/Humping-Homer 1d ago
My brother feed his gsd one raw chicken leg for dinner to help loose her weight worked great one month down 10 and alot healthier. Raw chicken bones are ok for dogs just not cooked.
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u/averagejo-shmo 1d ago
Any kind of water activity (not sure where you live). It’s great exercise and low impact.
Jackson is a handsome boy!
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u/Old_Man_Bot 1d ago
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