Buster update. Weak pasterns, UAP/elbow displasia

[busterbaby2]

Thanks cravemoor.

I am keeping a very close eye on his weight. Despite him having lost a lot of chubbyness from his chest & shoulders, the vet says he still could do with being leaner. The extra exercise hasn't made a difference to his weight so I have cut his food back slightly (much to Busters disgust, he didn't think what he was getting before was enough ).

[cravemoor]

HeHe No don't suppose Buster will appreciate smaller meals but it is much better for him in the long run and obviously if he starts losing too much weight because of the combination of diet & exercise then you can up his food slightly accordingly

[busterbaby2]

SYNFLEX UPDATE

Buster has been off Metacam for just over a week now and has not had any bad effects, he's just as mobile and limp-free as he was while taking it
The swelling he had on his elbow has not returned, so for the time being Synflex is the only thing needed to manage the UAP

[cravemoor]

Thats good news, hopefully it will continue that way. We managed Hunter on just Synflex for quite a long time so hopefully you will be able to do the same

[busterbaby2]

Buster will be 3 years old this summer - gosh time flies!! He is doing fantastic and there still is no need for an opperation in the forseeable future

Here are a couple of videos of him playing and practising re-call, it's amazing to thik he is the same dog that needed help to get off the floor as a pup!

The first vid was taken early summer last year, the second vid taken a few weeks ago. If you're wondering what the thing is on his shoulder, flapping in the wind, it's his little poop-bag holder attatched to his harness

http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff17 ... CF0833.flv

http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff17 ... eo0001.flv

[Admin]

I feel the need to suggest this. We know what synflex can do there is no doubt its use is genuine BUT any ntural product will have its limitations. Dont be afraid to put him on Metacam AS WELL later if he needs it as Metacam is very kind to a dogs metabalism compared to any similar drug I know. Also just because he can go faster and farther dont push it and dont let him decide, hold it back a bit limit the distance and speed gains as you dont want all the good work falling apart so to speek. I'm really pleased things are improving though , great news for him and proof that getting the knives and anaesthetic out isnt always the only answer. Time and time again with Mastiffs we see the story of correct nutrition and correct excersise being all that is needed to give a Mastiff the chance of good health

Best of luck

AD

[busterbaby2]

Thanks Ad

I'm not afraid to use Metacam I've had to use it on a couple of occasions for a short time when Buster has stumbled and hurt his leg or has over done things acting the clown in the garden. The vets are great though, all I have to do is ask at the desk and the vet will put up a prescrition without me having to see him or take Buster in, as you can imagine if Buster needs Metacm it's not that easy to get him in the vet as he doesn't want to walk, so it's brill the vets will do this for him

We've learnt the hard way how much of a set back can be casued by over doing things so I am always very carefull not to push things to far and know that Buster can get carried away so I can nolonger use him as a guide to his capabilities, which I could when he was little. It's hard sometimes having to stop his fun to bring him home from a walk, but I know it's for the best in the long run.
I've said on another thread about giving him a larger walk, this 'big' walk is something we are doing every second day untill he is used to it, then it will become daily. We've been doing this for several weeks now will no ill effect, the only problem is, it's giving him a great work-out so he's getting fitter and wants to do more. He'll just have to wait a while for that

I put the videos up hoping they may be a glimmer of hope for others in the same situation, like BonnieLouise, so they can see that the future is not as bleak as it seems when you first find out your precius mastiff pup has elbow dysplasia