Author Topic: Hunting dog having some trouble (Read 930 times)

Buster · « **on:** May 24, 2006, 11:42:08 AM »

Seems like my beagle (deerdog), after he exercises or runs, has trouble with his coordination? He gets all quivery and is unable to walk correctly. This can be moderate and dissappear in a few minutes or severe to the point of him looking like he is twisting up into a pretzel. Depending on how much he has run. After a few minutes or so he is fine.

I guess his running/hunting days are over. That's fine he has earned a long retirement. I just wonder what the ailment is and if it might be passed to any pups he sires? I have been told it is cramping from not exercising regularly, but his littermate is unaffected?

victorcharlie · « **Reply #1 on:** May 24, 2006, 03:43:41 PM »

Eperlpsy...pardon the spelling......I've Bought, sold, Bread, and trained AKC reg. beagles from the early 80's. There is a ressive gene that is thought to cause this. Most serious breeder won't breed to a hound that has this fault.

I haven't seen this often, but one of the truly outstanding dogs I've owned had this problem. He only had a couple of attacks, and it was usually after an extended run or runs. When he had one I put him in the dog box and called him done for the day.......

You might try feeding him before running him.....or nutri-cal every couple of hours......

Buster · « **Reply #2 on:** May 24, 2006, 06:54:40 PM »

Thanks for the reply. It does seem to be some sort of central nervous system problem. Scary as heck to see. Today I had him out for a walk in the field behind the house and when i brought him in he had a mild attack. Then he's fine. He's an ace deer dog. I just have him and his brother; they have killed alot of deer in the past 4 years. He is my best as he has the best hunting drive. If you pick him up off a hot track before he's ready he'll nip at you. I like that. As long as he stays calm he's fine.

Qaz · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2006, 02:56:29 AM »

Buster that is rough. It is hard to see a good friend having trouble like that. If I may suggest regular controled exercise.I always run my dogs beside my bike. You can just tie the leash to the seat post and that will control the speed and distance the dog travels. I have never met the dog that gets the exercise that they need on their own. Start off with a mile for the first four days and then two miles for the next week. You can play with the distance as you see fit according to how he is doing.
Remember, a dog is an extremely effecient runner, so what may seem like a long distance to you, is not for him. A person can not jog far enough or fast enough to properly exercise a dog. This last thing, I believe whole heartedly; If he is no longer able to have a good quality of life( run, play, HUNT) as a dog would see it, and that is not in people terms, put him down. Too many people are selfish with their pets and keep them around for themselves while the pet withers away.

P.S. Do not breed this animal, we have enough poorly bred animals now. Animals generally pass along their poorest traits and genetic problems when people breed them. He will more than likely pass this problem along as well.

Good luck with this problem, I have been down this road before.

Qaz

Don Fischer · « **Reply #4 on:** May 26, 2006, 01:39:35 PM »

Buster you don't say how old this dog is. Also, if it's older, have you changed it's diet lately? I had a shorthair that did what you described and simply changing her diet to hi-protein food cleaned it up, Vey is the one that changed her. I've also seen it in an English Setter. Hyper glycemic. Wasn't my dog and I don't recall what the vet did for her. Dogs that cramp up, cramp up and there's no mistaking it. Go see a vet!

Buster · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2006, 03:48:59 PM »

Well i got back to the house after work today and went to feed, and he was all stiff legged, stumbling and running into the fence, slobbering. He came up to me and jumped up on my hip, and his paws were like he had lost feeling in them, sort of balled up.

His littermate was trying to fight him and drag him down, and I felt like it was time and went and got the catch box. I took him to the hunting land and put him down. He never knew. When I opened the door to the box he used to charge out and fight to hit the woods. I had to help him out and he just stood on the tailgate with me and gave me a lick. I put him on the ground and he started to hobble for the woods. I put him under a sycamore on a little hill with an old pushed up tobacco barn. I hung his collar on the limb. He was 5 years old and he was my favorite dog ever.
He would run all day and all night.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #6 on:** May 29, 2006, 09:19:04 AM »

Sorry Buster.....that's a tought one for sure.....I do understand though.....Beagles are cheap enough.......I figured out a long time ago that I can buy a good one for less than a high vet bill........now bird dogs and coon hounds are a different deal.......and good ones bring lots of cash......

myronman3 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 30, 2006, 05:05:50 PM »

been there not too long ago buster. i feel your pain.

Buster · « **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2006, 12:56:01 PM »

I rode back there to check on his grave today. Sometimes foxes or stray dogs will try to dig up a buried animal. Nothing was disturbed. I noticed some rather large deer tracks in the soft dirt of the grave. Apparently a buck had walked over it coming along the edge of the old barn there. Pretty cool.