too late to save my dog?

[weirdo27]

I have a dog that is about 9 years old. She is a lab that weighs over 100 pounds now and has gyc something disease. I have been bringing her for a walk now every day to try and make her loose weight. My neighbour says its too late for her now, and to let her just die out over the next 2 years. Is that true? Is she now to old and overweight to try and make her healthy at all.

[JenBKR]

It's not too late! I can't believe that your neighbor would say such a thing.....I would absolutely not just let her die over the next two years. It's great that you are taking her for the walks, I'm sure that helps a great deal. Could you maybe talk to your vet for some ideas on what else you can do, especially because of her disease? What kind of food do you feed your dog?

[Muddy4paws]

No way, dont listen to your neighbour is he a qualified vet? Its never too late for a dog to lose weight, dont just take my word for this because Im not 100% sure or the ins and out of it but have you tried swimming sessions with your lab? I've heard them can lose weight in a healthy way from that, maybe talk to your vet about seeing if you can change her food to a lower fat food, but if my neighbour said that then they would be on the recieving end of some quite rude names.

Think about it, what someone gets old is it best to let them die out of being fat and having a heart attack or try and keep their weight down and keep them fit?

How many treats does she get? maybe ask your vet for low fat treats like carrots and apples etc. some fruit and veg cannot be given to dogs so research before you give her anything

[Karen]

Nine is not too old for a Lab - they can live to be much, much older than that.By all means, walks, and when she's up to it, games of fetch, etc. Are you also cutting down on food and snacks?

[weirdo27]

Uhh we have a family member that thinks she doesn't get enough food so always is feeding her and i dont think i can change it. She thinks we will starve her if she doesn't get a full bowl. Unfortunately i have no money to bring the dog to the vet. When your in college, you have no money. She gets no extra snacks or treats ever. Well i tried bringing her for a run and her mouth started foaming up so that was the last time i given her a walk in about 5 days.

[Catty1]

Just stick with walks for now...she'll have to build up to running! That will take a while.

The walks are great - I hope she looks forward to them!

Would the person who feeds the dog be willing to try lite food or low calorie?

Good luck!

[Daisy and Delilah]

This whole thing sounds rather odd to me. I feel very sorry for your dog. She needs help, obviously, and it's your responsibility to make her quality of life better. I would suggest you do everything you can to help her lose weight, take her for proper walks, and generally, do all you can do, and more, to make her be more healthy and fit. Find a way to stop the overfeeding family member and find a way to get her in for some immediate vet care. You have to take care of her. She can't do it herself

At the risk of saying something I shouldn't, I'll leave it at that

[buttercup132]

Uhh we have a family member that thinks she doesn't get enough food so always is feeding her and i dont think i can change it. She thinks we will starve her if she doesn't get a full bowl. Unfortunately i have no money to bring the dog to the vet. When your in college, you have no money. She gets no extra snacks or treats ever. Well i tried bringing her for a run and her mouth started foaming up so that was the last time i given her a walk in about 5 days.

5 days without a walk!!!! Thats a long time for a dog to be cooped up. I wouldnt worry about foaming out the mouth my dogs do it too when they go for long walks or have been runing alot.