My lurcher is slowing down - any advice

[Pignut 4]

My lurcher (colliexwhippetxgreyhound - related to Plummer's Merle) is slowing down. Aged 12, neutered years ago, he is suffering from mini-strokes and on a regular dose of Vivatonin. The pills seem to have helped his "vague phases" and general well-being. He is now maintaining his weight (approx 20kg) and doing as much running around as his body dictates - daily walks and catching rabbits still.

 

Today, he went out for his usual walk (1 hour) with the terriers and on the way home, sat down to rest for 5 minutes before he could continue. He was panting but not excessively, he appeared exhausted. He is eating and drinking fine. The weather is abit hot for us - 20 degrees Celsius - he likes the heat and tends to seek it out to lie in.

 

Any thoughts? Obviously if he continues with this, then it is back to the vet.

 

Cheers

Pignut

[Simoman 110]

My lurcher (colliexwhippetxgreyhound - related to Plummer's Merle) is slowing down. Aged 12, neutered years ago, he is suffering from mini-strokes and on a regular dose of Vivatonin. The pills seem to have helped his "vague phases" and general well-being. He is now maintaining his weight (approx 20kg) and doing as much running around as his body dictates - daily walks and catching rabbits still.

 

Today, he went out for his usual walk (1 hour) with the terriers and on the way home, sat down to rest for 5 minutes before he could continue. He was panting but not excessively, he appeared exhausted. He is eating and drinking fine. The weather is abit hot for us - 20 degrees Celsius - he likes the heat and tends to seek it out to lie in.

 

Any thoughts? Obviously if he continues with this, then it is back to the vet.

 

Cheers

Pignut

 

 

Trouble is only you know your dog and if his quality of life is decreasing, sad they get old...............

[skycat 6,174]

Having to run around or even go for an hour's walk in 20C is a lot different to 'seeking out' warmth and lying in it, even for an old dog. My old girl who is 10 trundles along quite happily AS LONG AS SHE CAN GET IN THE LAKE TO COOL OFF. I wouldn't dream of taking any dog for a walk in this temperature unless they can get into water to cool down and drink.

 

If your old dog is still going out at 12 then I reckon he's doing pretty well. I don't know how old YOU are, but when you get as old as your dog is now (in human terms) then you'll realise that old bones struggle to do much at all!

 

I'd just let him do as much as he wants and be prepared to go home early if he's looking at all tired.

[sandymere 8,263]

Having to run around or even go for an hour's walk in 20C is a lot different to 'seeking out' warmth and lying in it, even for an old dog. My old girl who is 10 trundles along quite happily AS LONG AS SHE CAN GET IN THE LAKE TO COOL OFF. I wouldn't dream of taking any dog for a walk in this temperature unless they can get into water to cool down and drink.

 

If your old dog is still going out at 12 then I reckon he's doing pretty well. I don't know how old YOU are, but when you get as old as your dog is now (in human terms) then you'll realise that old bones struggle to do much at all!

 

I'd just let him do as much as he wants and be prepared to go home early if he's looking at all tired.

 

 

I'll 2nd that.