Is she too old, or did I go too hard?

[Pembshunter 23]

As some of you know, I got given a 6 year old collie whippet by a bloke on here, I took her lamping just a few nights as I really couldnt wait until the season....The guy did tell me that she hadnt done much for 2 years but was keen, and she sure was, But I was outlast night for four hours, we got a lot of runs, but no kills as the ground we where on was in round close to the rabbit holes and they where off as soon as I knocked on the light, although my hat went off to her as she twisted and turned across the top of a warren after one, it was very impressive, she caught it right at the edge off the whole, but it slipped and got down the hole, I dont know who was more gutted, me or her....with a big bit of rabbit fluff stuck to her mouth!

 

We did get a few more runs on open ground later, but I think she was just too tired! Anyway, I let her out this morning, and she usually springs out of her bed, today she can hardly walk, really stiff and sore looking ans just wants to be petted, Im gutted, I feel like Ive run the guts out of her through lack of experience, This is the 2nd time this happened, but the first time I thought her fitness was down due to no work....But now Im not sure, Is she past it? Or am I a tube running a small dog hard for four hours.....

Edited April 25, 2009 by Pembshunter

[snoopdog 1,256]

As some of you know, I got given a 6 year old collie whippet by a bloke on here, I took her lamping just a few nights as I really couldnt wait until the season....The guy did tell me that she hadnt done much for 2 years but was keen, and she sure was, But I was outlast night for four hours, we got a lot of runs, but no kills as the ground we where on was in round close to the rabbit holes and they where off as soon as I knocked on the light, although my hat went off to her as she twisted and turned across the top of a warren after one, it was very impressive, she caught it right at the edge off the whole, but it slipped and got down the hole, I dont know who was more gutted, me or her....with a big bit of rabbit fluff stuck to her mouth!

 

We did get a few more runs on open ground later, but I think she was just too tired! Anyway, I let her out this morning, and she usually springs out of her bed, today she can hardly walk, really stiff and sore looking ans just wants to be petted, Im gutted, I feel like Ive run the guts out of her through lack of experience, This is the 2nd time this happened, but the first time I thought her fitness was down due to no work....But now Im not sure, Is she past it? Or am I a tube running a small dog hard for four hours.....

had much rain round your way..?????

[Pembshunter 23]

As some of you know, I got given a 6 year old collie whippet by a bloke on here, I took her lamping just a few nights as I really couldnt wait until the season....The guy did tell me that she hadnt done much for 2 years but was keen, and she sure was, But I was outlast night for four hours, we got a lot of runs, but no kills as the ground we where on was in round close to the rabbit holes and they where off as soon as I knocked on the light, although my hat went off to her as she twisted and turned across the top of a warren after one, it was very impressive, she caught it right at the edge off the whole, but it slipped and got down the hole, I dont know who was more gutted, me or her....with a big bit of rabbit fluff stuck to her mouth!

 

We did get a few more runs on open ground later, but I think she was just too tired! Anyway, I let her out this morning, and she usually springs out of her bed, today she can hardly walk, really stiff and sore looking ans just wants to be petted, Im gutted, I feel like Ive run the guts out of her through lack of experience, This is the 2nd time this happened, but the first time I thought her fitness was down due to no work....But now Im not sure, Is she past it? Or am I a tube running a small dog hard for four hours.....

had much rain round your way..?????

 

 

Quite a lot why?

[Fat-Ferret 857]

Would rain make a difference?

[Guest flapper]

what are you feeding her on tripe and chicken mince is good

[Pembshunter 23]

what are you feeding her on tripe and chicken mince is good

 

 

Dry greyhound 28% protein, occassionally some other stuff, odd raw egg etc. I didnt think that would make a difference....Does anyone know why she is so sore today? Or was it just too long for her?

[undisputed 1,664]

Sounds like a bit of stiffness to me, the dog hasn't been used much and having all those runs while unfit she may have pulled something...she should be ok in a day or two....the other thing that comes to mind is that she may be carrying old injuries that flair up when she exerts herself. See how she is after a day or two and if she's ok a bit of fitness work should help.

[Pembshunter 23]

Sounds like a bit of stiffness to me, the dog hasn't been used much and having all those runs while unfit she may have pulled something...she should be ok in a day or two....the other thing that comes to mind is that she may be carrying old injuries that flair up when she exerts herself. See how she is after a day or two and if she's ok a bit of fitness work should help.

 

 

Yeah, it happened before when we had a big long night...She was back to normal in 2 days, So maybe just give her little often exercise to get the fitness up for next season?

Edited April 25, 2009 by Pembshunter

[Guest jt750]

Running it on hard ground like it is in most places is hard on the joints for all dogs young and old.

6 years old ...probably 2 years past its best or maybe burnt out already. At that age it knows its fieldcraft but its catch rate will be down as its starting or already getting into middle age. Working lurchers can age very quickly from around this age upwards.

Work the dog by all means no reason not to but give it more rest between trips out maybe 2 nights a week not 3 or 4 and it might have a couple of more seasons in it .

You could supplement its diet with cod liver oil ..glucosamine or metacam that will help its joints.

Look at it from our perspective a footballer in his early 20's will run all matches 3 times a week one in his early 30's might be good for 2 games a week but knows all the tricks and doesn't need to work as hard

[undisputed 1,664]

Sounds like a bit of stiffness to me, the dog hasn't been used much and having all those runs while unfit she may have pulled something...she should be ok in a day or two....the other thing that comes to mind is that she may be carrying old injuries that flair up when she exerts herself. See how she is after a day or two and if she's ok a bit of fitness work should help.

 

 

Yeah, it happened before when we had a big long night...She was back to normal in 2 days, So maybe just give her little often exercise to get this fitness up?

 

 

Yeah sounds like she may have some wear and tear...this can resurface when the dog has a few runs and shows up as stiffness or lameness for a few days...as well as exercise a wee shot of meta calm would do her the world of good till shes a bit fitter

[Pembshunter 23]

Running it on hard ground like it is in most places is hard on the joints for all dogs young and old.

6 years old ...probably 2 years past its best or maybe burnt out already. At that age it knows its fieldcraft but its catch rate will be down as its starting or already getting into middle age. Working lurchers can age very quickly from around this age upwards.

Work the dog by all means no reason not to but give it more rest between trips out maybe 2 nights a week not 3 or 4 and it might have a couple of more seasons in it .

You could supplement its diet with cod liver oil ..glucosamine or metacam that will help its joints.

Look at it from our perspective a footballer in his early 20's will run all matches 3 times a week one in his early 30's might be good for 2 games a week but knows all the tricks and doesn't need to work as hard

 

Thanks, usually one night a week is all we go anyway...A short night with a few runs is fine, But a long night seems to be hard on her

[alimac 882]

gave her too much imo

[Pembshunter 23]

gave her too much imo

 

 

I think so too

[undisputed 1,664]

gave her too much imo

 

 

I think so too

 

 

I dont think its a case of too much, more of a case of needing more exercise....Think of it like this if you've done any kind of strenuous sport, football,running etc it's like not having done these for a few weeks then going back in and running about like a maddie....the next day you'll be as stiff as a board and it takes a few days to get over it....but as you do more the muscles get used to it and there's less stiffness the next day...it's kinda similar for a dog that doesn't get used much especially one thats a bit older....you say you only go out once a week....what do you do with the dog for the remainder of the week?

[lofti 579]

she will be stiff if shes not done much for a while

build her fitness up mate, at 6 she should be in her prime

i give my dogs 1 cod liver oil cap a day try that.

 

 

lofti..