Weight Loss In Elderly Dogs

Elderly lab falls and can’t get back up very well.?

My 11 year old black lab has started to fall down often and has a great deal of difficulty getting back up. I have discussed this with my vet and he says it is due to the dog’s age and weight. We are working on the weight loss part, but what else can I do to help my dog? He loves to lie on the cool tile floor, but can’t get up again. If I put down rugs, he just moves them out of his way to lie down. The house has an open design, making it impossible to keep him off of the tile, plus he is starting to have problems on carpet and grass. I am not able to pick him up when he falls, he weights about the same as I do. How can I keep him safe and from getting stuck in the floor when I’m not able to help him?

Because of his weight, he’s probably now got arthritis or Hip Dysplasia. Dropping the weight quickly is incredibly important.

He needs to be on a high quality food like Natural Balance Low Calorie. His intake should be 25% less than what the bag says he should get *at a healthy weight* – not his current weight.

His exercise routine needs to be double for the next 2 weeks, then quadrupled two weeks later. It should increase as needed from there working up to 2 hour walks or an hour or so of activity daily.

You can also try a Glucosamine supplement to help with the pain & joint problems.

There are extender gates that you might be able to use – they can expand for quite a distance. This may be able to keep him off of the tile.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+20748+8082&pcatid=8082 is a sling that may help you get him off the floor.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+15021+19304&pcatid=19304 extends to 62″. Perhaps you could find a way to rig several together?