Dog ownership and PBC

[fred6577]

Any dog owners out there? I am on my own and seem to spend a lot of time worrying about fatigue and making sure my dog gets a decent walk every day. Felt so rough yesterday didn't venture out at all and am feeling a bit down about it. Have been thinking about a power assisted bike. Anyone else with a similar issue? I have to say I am finding the cold weather a challenge!

[butterflyEi]

Hi fred6577

I don't have a dog but noticed no one has been able yet to give you a reply. Sorry to read you are feeling rough. I am in the south and the weather by comparison to further north has not been to bad although we did have a covering of snow last night and today the wind has been bitter, well for this soft southener! I know a walk is good for us but I am not sure this cold weather is especially if it is icy your way.

My neighbour up the road who is over 80 has a power assisted two wheeled bike and thoroughly enjoys his ride in the summer. I have not seen him using it this last 2-3 months. Are you a regular rider of bikes? If yes, converting to a powered bike seems like quite a good idea, you would still get some exercise and fresh air without too much uphill exertion.

I hope someone comes along shortly who can share their experiences with dogs.

best wishes

[fred6577 in reply to butterflyEi]

Thanks for your comments. It's easy to feel a bit isolated. I just wondered how others manage. The dog story is a long one! He is a rescue who is pretty good but gets spooked. I think I need a bike on home approval to see if he can cope!!! I am a walker (well struggling walker😀), and I do love to get out daily. Never really cycled before. Felt much better today so we have been up the fields and now it's feet up time. Thanks again.

[Erinlynn]

I have a dog and am in my 4th year since I was diagnosed with PBC. I find my walks with my dog helps keep me moving - sometimes, only 15 minutes at a time, but some days, I can go for over an hour. My joints hurt, but I keep going and assume I will feel better as a result. And having the dog is a joy - she is a good companion.

I looked up how much exercise she needs and I'm doing ok by her. They recommend at least 30 minutes. Today we did a 40 minute walk.

I hope this helps.

[Melwoods]

I just split the length of walks so sometime 3 x 10 minutes instead of 1/2 hr depending on how I feel.

Try and play in the house , mine loves football in the garden which also tires her out

[Kevviv]

Hi had a dog when first diagnosed with PBC I was so ill I couldn't walk my dog, broke my heart I let a friend have him because it was not fair on him. But now there are dog walkers they maybe able to help. Hope you find a solution.

[SheepJane]

I have two dogs, a Labrador and a rough collie. I also have Pbc and scleroderma with Raynauds, so basically exhausted all the time and also have massive difficulty keeping warm. However, I walk my dogs twice a day whatever the weather. However awful and in pain I feel I always feel better after the walk. In some strange way I feel less tired and definitely in less pain after walking. Without my dogs to get me up and about I would have given up and given in to the pain and tiredness. The walks give me hope and kick start my day even on my very worst days. So I would highly recommend you convince yourself you can do it and keep walking!

[Wilmahair]

When i couldnt walk my dog she adjusted quite well. We have the opposite problem here as our temperatures are constantly in the 40ies in summer. It would be cruel to walk her as she would get burnt paw pads. My old dog would only walk from tree shade to tree shade. The older one was a minature poodle and the younger one who had the liver disease was a standard. Any way in the cool of the evening we would often play ball or fetch what ever her favourite toy was. Sadly i lost her to liver failure a few years ago and dont want to put another very expensive dog through the rigorous of living in the out back. I am waiting to pick up a more hardy large breed of dog that my daughter breed for me. Fingers crossed this one stay well in our heat. I too will have to start exercising him. One little dog we inherited as an older dog was used to running along the bush tracks in front of the car. My husband would take him into town that way until the dirt road ran out and then he would happily sit on the drivers seat guarding the car. Bless his little soul because he was a chiwawa (?) cross and just a little dog. Any way my point is walk your dog when you can. Otherwise play with him. Its the attention they crave most. I also have my dogs indoors with me but not sure about this new one but even as pups if i was tired they would just lay on the floor near my bed and when i had energy they were ready for fun. Dont stress it too much. Just enjoy your companion and dont over do things. Better to have a slower relaxed owner than a stress sick one. Hope you can work it out. We all want to do our best for our pets.

[Rossi51]

I am also a dog owner and worry about walking him especially when I am having a bad day like you the bad weather makes it all a challenge

[fred6577]

Thanks for all of your comments. I think I have been obsessing about it all! I have tried a combination of shorter lead walks and longer countryside walks on good days. Previously I had two labradors. I lost my boy in December 2015. I apdopted a companion for my girl, then lost my girl to liver disease in September 2016. I almost felt she had caught from me, stupid or what! My adopted dog is a mixed breed lurcher type. I had spent the last ten years in the habit of daily long countryside walks for my beloved labs. I am seeing now that with this dog I can adjust and he will be happy. I don't know what I would do without a dog in my life. I too would just stay in if I didn't have the incentive, and i know how important it is to keep moving. So onwards and upwards. Thanks again all 😀👍🏼

[cuttysark]

I have a two year old Border Collie, our fifth over the years. It is a real struggle to get her out some days but my husband helps. Collies do need a lot of free running and we are lucky to be near the coast and country.

Husband however has heart problems that limit him sometimes too. I do find when my fatigue is dire, as long as I don't overdo the distance and time I am out, I am never actually worse for going. Psychologically the walk helps me so much and just seeing her zooming about and so happy.

But as someone else said basically it is company they want, so as long as you are there and can have some play times in the house if you cant get out they will be happy. I believe greyhound and lurcher type dogs don't need too mch exercise either compared with collies or spaniels.

I make Kong frozen treats for her. I started this when she was a pup. I fill a large Kong with yogurt and treats, like bits of chicken or biscuits and pop it i to the freezer in a plastic bag. After a couple of hours it is ready and gives her hours of fun gnawing on it. My sons dog , a greyhound lab cross came to stay for a few weeks and she too loved it once she got used to it.

You block the two ends with smooth peanut butter so it stays in till frozen. I have also founf it better to use the thicker yoghurt as it makes less mess as it defrosts.

After chewing on this she sleeps like a baby for a while so a good idea on rainy days or when you are not feeling so good. Gives them a chewing workout!!!

[fred6577 in reply to cuttysark]

Thanks, I am sure with a few adjustments I can keep him happy. Being recently diagnosed it's taken a while to get my head round it all. I thought it was menopause and if I toughed it out It would soon end. Ha ha not to be!

[Wilmahair]

I have loved reading about everyones dogs. It funny two of us having dogs die of liver disease. My girl was only 4 and i was devastated. Still makes me cry to think of her. They become a part of us so much it is just beautiful. Looking forward to picking up my Tiger in March. He too is a large high energy greyhound cross dog. At least it should be cooler when we get home and he will have half a year to adjust before it gets too hot here again.

[DonnaBoll Administrator]

Don't be hard on yourself for not walking your dog. You love him and I'm sure he knows that. The fatigue can prove a challenge for us for sure. If you don't invest in a bike, there are videos online for indoor walking classes. Just a suggestion -