[SkizzyWildCard]

My 6 year old Labrador suffered from severe kennel cough as a pup and that left her with permanent bad lungs. Because of the damage we can't exercise her too much in risk of her dying and that has caused her to gain extra weight.

Now she's not a butter-ball but she is slightly over weight and as her older years come I'm worried even more about her hips and joints and how the weight will affect them further.

My question is, is there any way to exercise her so she can lose more weight (We have her on a special diet) but with out a risk of her over exerting her self?

 

[alphadoginthehouse]

This is really a question for your vet, but in my experience, less exercise means less food.

A quiet walk is always good...start short distances and work up to whatever she can handle. Similar to humans with health problems, don't over exert but any exercise is better than none...now if only I would take my own advice!

 

[SkizzyWildCard]

We've asked the vet and she says just to be careful and thats all...

We just moved by the beach so a walk down the beach would be fun for her..and yeah you have a point! It's better than nothing! haha

 

[Kathyy]

Sassy is really old and her heart murmur has progressed to grade 3. I just watch and listen. If she is lagging, we go home. If her panting gets to a certain point, we go home.

Take her for a walk. As soon as that tongue comes out, go home. See how she recovers. If she is tired you did enough. If she is bugging you then next time walk a little past the start of panting.

There is also strength training. Cleanrun carries a number of DVDs on how to use a balance ball and other devices to strength a dog's core just like human Pilates. No kidding! I use a ladder to get the dogs to pick up all the feet and know about where that rear end is. Walking through ivy or other ground cover would work the same way.

Walking on that soft sand is pretty intense exercise. Go slow with it.

 

[chriley58]

Swimming. We had a yellow lab with severe hip dysplasia and by keeping her weight under control and having her swim, she lived her life out without pain meds or ill effects from the dysplasia.