 Use of Weighted Vest?
#161145 - 11/05/2007 07:58 AM |
Webboard User
Reg: 08-14-2006
Posts: 308
Loc: CA
 Offline |
|
I wonder if a mild dysphasic dog would benefit from walking with a weighted vest. I know swimming, walking in chest high water or walking up hills helps build the back leg muscles, but if not available would a leisurely walk carrying some weight offer any of the same benefits? Or do you think wearing such a vest would cause undue stress on his hips?
|
 Top
|
|
Re: Use of Weighted Vest?
[Re: PeggyBayer ]
#161228 - 11/05/2007 02:35 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 10-08-2007
Posts: 611
Loc: Kansas
| Offline |
|
Hi, Peggy-
I guess I will take a stab at answering your question, although I am by no means an expert. I would think that a weighted vest would be a bad idea, simply because it's my understanding that a dysphastic dog is not supposed to carry any extra body weight (i.e. not be overweight), as this increases the stress on the hip joints. I would think the same would go for a weighted vest. You're just adding more weight to already-vulnerable hip joints. In the cases of the walking uphill and walking in water, the dog is only carrying his own (hopefully healthy) body weight. Actually, in the water, the dog isn't even carrying that much, as the water helps support his weight.
But like I said, I am NOT an expert. I wasn't going to respond, simply b/c I figured someone else w/more knowledge would. But since you didn't get any other responses (yet), I thought I'd put in my 2 cents.
Good luck!
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Use of Weighted Vest?
[Re: PeggyBayer ]
#161238 - 11/05/2007 03:34 PM |
Moderator
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
| Offline |
|
Kori is right.
That would be like having the dog overweight.
A sedentary lifestyle isn't good, of course. Allowing your dog to exercise at his own pace can can help loosen up the stiffness in joints. I'd keep your dog out of the cold and get a good dog bed, and, if possible, have a consultation with a physical therapist. (Of course, I'd also have the dog on fish oil and E for inflammation, along with glucosamine, etc.)
JMO
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Use of Weighted Vest?
[Re: Kori Bigge ]
#161239 - 11/05/2007 03:36 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 08-14-2006
Posts: 308
Loc: CA
| Offline |
|
Thanks Kori, that's what I figured also but not knowing for sure the mechanics of the vest and seeing that it rides high on the shoulder wondered if it would have the same effect on the dog as an overweight body would. I think your right though that adding any extra weight to the dog would not be good.
By the way, nice pup and love his name - one of my last rotts was name "Kodi Bayer"
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Use of Weighted Vest?
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#161241 - 11/05/2007 03:39 PM |
Moderator
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
| Offline |
|
The reason I mentioned a PT was this: I have one who has two spinal disk problems and who is not a good surgical candidate.
We don't have access to swimming in winter, but this is a small dog, and the PT showed me how to fill my bathtub (a pretty deep one) with warm water and swim the dog. He also showed me how to do smooth passive exercise, along with walking the dog on grass and dirt.
The passive exercises we do in the evenings are like bicycling his rear legs very smoothly and not fast while he lies on his back.
The dog likes this.
One thing this helps with is getting synovial fluid into the joints that might otherwise by blocked by bunched muscles.... bunched in the attempt to protect the joint, and from walking in off-balance ways to save pain in the joint.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Use of Weighted Vest?
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#161242 - 11/05/2007 03:57 PM |
Moderator
Reg: 07-13-2005
Posts: 31571
Loc: North-Central coast of California
| Offline |
|
P.S. I'm talking about a senior dog who already has OA changes.
How much is the dog affected by the dysplasia? Some dogs live normally with it and don't develop OA changes for a long time.
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Use of Weighted Vest?
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#161280 - 11/05/2007 07:52 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 10-08-2007
Posts: 611
Loc: Kansas
| Offline |
|
Peggy - no way! Kodi Bayer? I can't believe it!!! Great minds think alike, I guess. Kodee got his name b/c I like the name Kodee, and he looked like a little fuzzy bear cub when I got him. LOL! What a coincidence! (BTW - I love Rotties too. I used to have one.)
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Use of Weighted Vest?
[Re: Connie Sutherland ]
#161281 - 11/05/2007 07:55 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 08-14-2006
Posts: 308
Loc: CA
| Offline |
|
P.S. I'm talking about a senior dog who already has OA changes.
How much is the dog affected by the dysplasia? Some dogs live normally with it and don't develop OA changes for a long time.
Thanks Connie, Buddy is on all the same joint supplements including the salmon oil & vit E that I had put him on over a year ago so I won't list them all again. He is doing great, haven't had to give any pain meds for over a year. Took him in to the vet a month ago and she was very please with the way he looked and how well he is doing. He is lean and strong so no problems there. With having a couple of acres for him to roam on and our daily walks he is getting plenty of exercise and I keep close tabs on him to insure he does not over do it.
Being a house dog, he is never out in the cold for any longer then he wants to be and he has a leerburg dog bed to sleep on.
I figured wearing a weighted vest would not be good for him but wanted to throw that question out there.
Thanks,
|
|
Top
|
|
Re: Use of Weighted Vest?
[Re: Kori Bigge ]
#161314 - 11/05/2007 11:17 PM |
Webboard User
Reg: 08-14-2006
Posts: 308
Loc: CA
| Offline |
|
Peggy - no way! Kodi Bayer? I can't believe it!!! Great minds think alike, I guess. Kodee got his name b/c I like the name Kodee, and he looked like a little fuzzy bear cub when I got him. LOL! What a coincidence! (BTW - I love Rotties too. I used to have one.)
That is too funny, I choose the name for the same reason, Kodi looked and sounded like a little bear cub to me also - what a great dog he was, sure do miss him.
|
|
Top
|
When purchasing any product from Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. it is understood
that any and all products sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. are sold in Dunn
County Wisconsin, USA. Any and all legal action taken against Leerburg Enterprises,
Inc. concerning the purchase or use of these products must take place in Dunn
County, Wisconsin. If customers do not agree with this policy they should not
purchase Leerburg Ent. Inc. products.
Dog Training is never without risk of injury. Do not use any of the products
sold by Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. without consulting a local professional.
The training methods shown in the Leerburg Ent. Inc. DVD’s are meant
to be used with a local instructor or trainer. Leerburg Enterprises, Inc. cannot
be held responsible for accidents or injuries to humans and/or animals.
Copyright 2010 Leerburg® Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. All photos and content on leerburg.com are part of a registered copyright owned by Leerburg Enterprise, Inc.
By accessing any information within Leerburg.com, you agree to abide by the
Leerburg.com Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Previous Topic
Index
Next Topic
.jpg)
.jpg)
