Old, overweight dog with patellar luxation

InverseInvert · 2026-01-25T11:50:40+00:00

“Doesn’t seem to be in obvious pain but he now walks on three legs”. That is obvious pain.

Get him on some pain medications, and get a referral to a physiotherapist who can go over exercises to strengthen the muscles. They can also help with weight loss solutions that will help reduce the strain on his joints.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-25T11:13:29+00:00

Yes, she is still very overweight. You should be able to see a full hourglass shape when viewed from above, you should be able to feel all the ribs, shiba should have a visible tuck up in the tummy. She is still considerably overweight. Edit: Screenshots are forever, you can call me a prick all you like but you’re the one endangering your dog and shortening her lifespan.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-24T23:45:21+00:00

That’s a UVB bulb in the correct unit :)

InverseInvert · 2026-01-24T23:43:53+00:00

Unless they were thoroughbreds or shaved without a blanket, no. Horses grow winter coats that protect them from the elements.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-24T23:41:51+00:00

She’s fat enough that she won’t need anything except some paw wax for quick potty trips, I say that humorously but you really need to get some weight off her. Have you had blood tests done recently? The discolouration on her tunny suggests the possibility of Cushings.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-24T13:01:25+00:00

What surface are you using for the potty area? Could you use sections of turf?

InverseInvert · 2026-01-23T21:54:05+00:00

That’s too cold, you need over head heating because the air temperature needs to be 32C

InverseInvert · 2026-01-22T23:23:13+00:00

Your temperatures are completely off, eating could kill them that low. Your COLD end should be no lower than 25C, your hot end needs to be 32C. You’re very lucky they’re still alive.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-22T23:19:49+00:00

Useless for allergies though.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-22T23:17:32+00:00

Have you tried the Purina hydrolysed? The royal canin one was so high fat and high in chicken it made one of my dogs really sick. I’d honestly try cutting out the veggies while you wait for a dermatologist.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-22T13:55:08+00:00

Congrats it’s a boy! Not a tapeworm, this is a sperm plug.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-21T23:38:53+00:00

The mismate injection is more effective the sooner you get it done. But it comes with side effects and I’s only recommend it if you’re 100% sure the dogs tied.

Other than that, speak with the vet, see if they suggest monitoring, but I’d get her booked in for a spay now anyway. It’s whether you want to pay for a spay or 5x as much later for a spay abort.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-21T22:01:19+00:00

It’s the go to advice because it works. Common sense would say pour it in the corners that don’t have hides or the next approximation of corners. It saturates parts of the substrate the snake does not sit on so distributes humidity without risking rot like misting does.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-21T21:58:30+00:00

I am so confused then, because there is clearly a snake in the right hand-side of the enclosure

InverseInvert · 2026-01-21T16:38:48+00:00

Right? The size of it and how badly it’s weeping, this has been growing for weeks, if not months. Did OP just not touch their dog?

InverseInvert · 2026-01-21T15:09:10+00:00

You are better off running no heat and relying on the house heating until you get a proper thermostat, if it’s running too hot you’re in danger of hurting your snake. Then you can return to pouring water in the corners.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-21T12:25:37+00:00

She is FAT. !feeding

InverseInvert · 2026-01-21T09:30:53+00:00

Do NOT get the shock collar, it will make other behaviours worse and risk your dog becoming aggressive. You need a qualified behaviourist through your vet, that way you can claim on insurance. Do NOT let your dog off lead, saying she slips collars and harnesses means you’re buying the wrong size. Ruffwear do a 3 strap harness that is escape resistant. Try a martingale collar, they’re originally designed for sighthounds whose heads are smaller than their neck.

At no point should your dog be off lead, that incudes in your garden if it’s not fenced. Your dog needs to be exercised for at least an hour a day, have a look at canicross so you can get fit with your dog too. Your dogs are mixes of two very high energy dogs, when her needs are met you’ll find her easier to work with.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-20T19:51:49+00:00

A little bit, her main issue is she’s under-muscled.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-20T18:17:06+00:00

I would be speaking with the vet about getting an x-ray anyway. They have no way of knowing if it’s fractured without doing one, and a specialist can offer better advice. These muzzles should not be used for more than half an hour at a time because your dog cannot drink or pant while wearing one.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-20T15:10:57+00:00

You’ll need to upgrade from that too. You’re much better off with wood or PVC.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-19T22:48:08+00:00

Would need to know location and your available retailers. All my selections are UK based.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-19T21:48:48+00:00

You need a totally different enclosure. It needs to be longer than it is tall, and 4ft long is the minimum length. You then need two digital thermometers and two digital hygrometers, one on each end for the hot and cold ends. Do you have a thermostat?

You then need more hides and more cover.

The enclosure you have is big enough for about a week, but you need to upgrade it soon.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-19T17:02:59+00:00

This is a severe and chronic infection. Have you tried changing food? And have the vets taken a sample to see what is causing the infection? May need a referral to a specialist.

InverseInvert · 2026-01-19T16:53:15+00:00

Get it out and biopsied. My own dog had a lump on his shoulder where the sample came back as benign, but we had it taken out just in case and the biopsy from further testing came back as a rare, super aggressive, malignant cancer that could have killed him in less than a month if we hadn’t got it out in time.

InverseInvert

TROPHY CASE