Gun Dog Forum

Trying to sort out why my almost 3yo springer is so tired after a hunt. Just had a full blood panel done and he is 'a picture of health'. Waiting for a PFK test result. Did start enzyme supplements a week to 10 days ago with minor improvement. One of the problems is he can't put on any body fat. He does get plenty of exercise and high quality food.

He was bitten by a rattlesnake a year and a half ago, wonder if its a factor though tests say otherwise. Any ideas?

Thanks

Wonder if rattlesnake bite had any affect on lungs or heart muscle.......

Ive got dogs with near zero body fat....thats not an issue it seems.

Does he recover quickly afterword or is basically a tired ball of fur for a couple of days?

Liver enyzmes ok?

The desire is there but he just sleeps alot. After the snake bite we tested liver and kidneys but never did a heart stress test. We hunted the weekend and he slept most of yesterday.

Probably just out of shape, regular exercise is good but doesn't do much for building endurance. Two different things entirely.

Coveyrise64

All the bloodwork came back great. Nothing even close to marginal. He gets run at least twice a day and swims every day in summer. We live in the mountains so he gets lots of hill work. His younger brother has 10 pounds on him and doesn't have this issue.

and nothing that would suggest a heart problem like coughing at night, wheezing, etc???

any chance of a back injury?

Never a cough and no sign of pain. Heck, he can jump 14' from a standing position across our pool. I just don't think he's getting the full benefit of his food, hence the PFK test. I can't find anything about organ damage from snakebite. His liver and kidneys check out so that indicates they weren't damaged. He did get antivenin an hour after the bite and was released that day but it was very traumatic.

Calisdad wrote:The desire is there but he just sleeps alot. After the snake bite we tested liver and kidneys but never did a heart stress test. We hunted the weekend and he slept most of yesterday.

What are you feeding your dog?

I may have missed it in your post but is the concern only for when he returns home from a weekend of hunting? Most dogs sleep the next day.

Sharon wrote: What are you feeding your dog?

I may have missed it in your post but is the concern only for when he returns home from a weekend of hunting? Most dogs sleep the next day.

At the risk of turning this into a dog food thread I'll say Taste of the Wild- Wetlands. He liked it better than Wellness Core but I'm going to see if Instinct is any improvement as I like to mix it up every 4 to 6 months. I like the idea of Orijen but it just produced some foul smelling poo. I started supplementing with enzymes and probiotics and did see some improvement in that he didn't lay down during a hunt break. We do hunt rough country but sleeping all day after a 2 hour hunt for a dog that isn't yet 3 is a sign something is wrong. Hopefully I'm wrong and he's just fine but I think something isn't quite right.

Calisdad wrote:

Sharon wrote: What are you feeding your dog?

I may have missed it in your post but is the concern only for when he returns home from a weekend of hunting? Most dogs sleep the next day.

At the risk of turning this into a dog food thread I'll say Taste of the Wild- Wetlands. He liked it better than Wellness Core but I'm going to see if Instinct is any improvement as I like to mix it up every 4 to 6 months. I like the idea of Orijen but it just produced some foul smelling poo. I started supplementing with enzymes and probiotics and did see some improvement in that he didn't lay down during a hunt break. We do hunt rough country but sleeping all day after a 2 hour hunt for a dog that isn't yet 3 is a sign something is wrong. Hopefully I'm wrong and he's just fine but I think something isn't quite right.

Wouldn't a PFK dog have a low red count?

While there may be abnormalities in red blood cells I'm not sure there would be a low RBC count.

From another site:

Phosphofructokinase (PFK) is a major regulatory enzyme found in all cells of the body, which catalyses (stimulates by means of a chemical reaction) the metabolism (conversion) of sugar into energy to maintain normal cell function.
PFK deficiency is an enzyme storage disease which causes abnormalities in red blood cells and muscle cells.
It is inherited in English Springer Spaniels through a single autosomal recessive trait.

After hunting Saturday, Sunday and Monday morning, Trap slept the rest of Monday and Tuesday. We went for a half hour walk this morning and he splet some more. His brother on the other hand slept about a quarter of the time.

Might try a little of this on his food if you think he might be a little anemic.

http://www.farnamhorse.com/pdf_label/Ca ... ll_all.pdf

Coveyrise64

I do not assume this is of any help... but I have Excercise Intolerance myself

Hi Guys-
I know this is an old thread but I wanted to chime in to tell what I've found and maybe help someone else.

During a routine exam 3 or 4 months ago our vet tested for tick bourne diseases. I don't know the name of the test but blood is drawn and a strip tests for about 5 issues. Well, Trap tested positive for anaplasma, a tick bourne disease that affects red blood cells. The good news is that after 30 days of antibiotics he's quite active again. Just in time for fall season.

regards-
Calisdad

Congrats for finally finding out what was bothering your dog, that would have to be bothersome knowing something was wrong and not getting anywhere.

Corry

Thanks Corry-

[Deleted as I hadn't read far enough back in the thread and gave a stupid answer.] :roll:

Sharon to a point it is. I used to joke that if I hunted my dogs on Sunday they would sleep until Tuesday. The problem I was seeing is after a nonstrenuous 2 hour hunt he would sleep for a day plus. I was glad to have found SOMETHING and now the difference is night and day. If someone can make use of the information great- if not no harm done. I compete my boys in timed events. I'd be reluctant to do so not knowing they were 100%.

regards-
C-dad