Good News, Good News!

I took Spike and Sophie both to the vet yesterday.  I had no idea what to expect, after all the grumpiness Spike has been exhibiting and that awful display with the sheltie, last weekend.  But, Spike had 3 little minor tweaks this week and has been approved to fully run agility!!!!  I can run him hard, at height and weave again with the caution to bring him back in, in 2 weeks just to make sure everything is looking ok.  So, that was fantastic news!! The limping?? Likely caused racing down the icy, back steps with Murphy hot on his tail. So any grumpiness is Spike, being Spike and I can no longer blame it on pain, ha!

Spike wants you to know that deep down, he really IS excited....

Sophie's appointment was VERY interesting!  I am not even sure what all is out on Sophie's back, although when she goes back in a week, I'll ask to see her chart. Dr. Orchard worked on her skull as Soph has always had a problem with running into things so this will help that. She worked on her lumbar region which visibly made a HUGE difference. Sophie's spine has curved up for as long as I can remember. She has a nearly straight back at the moment. But, mainly her Sacrum was out, likely causing the intermittent lameness. I'll be honest, I cried when I got home because for the FIRST TIME EVER, Sophie is holding her tail like a normal lab. She's always carried it high, and I thought it was some weird quirk she was born with. Nope, it was her sacrum all this time. So, I have no idea what her long term prognosis will be but I can tell you this: she moves better. She is actually walking far more normally. She still has a bit of the sway back going on, but it's been lessened. The reality is, Sophie will always have loose hip joints but because there was no degeneration in her X-Rays taken a little over a year ago, it never made sense that she had so many arthritic symptoms. But, she will always be at a greater than normal risk of arthritis on this joints. Just, shouldn't be at 3 years of age. And, her knee will always be an issue now; she had a partial cruciate tear and the scar tissue will always be here. But, this vet may well get her off pain meds. Or, give us access to Cartophen shots which are much better for her, long term than any other pain meds I can give. (and, at an incredible deal that made me cry in the office with the vet).  For the first time since this journey to figure Sophie out, I have an incredible sense of relief and hope. I can help this dog of mine yet. It's been a long time coming. Look out Obedience world, we're coming back!!!!

Sophie wants you to know she can sit better and lie down better already! But, sadly, it's 7AM and she refuses to model her  newfound abilities. :)

Doesn't she look grumpy?!? It's the "LEAVE ME ALONE, I KNOW YOU'RE EXCITED ALREADY!!"  look, LOL

Oh Spike.

I know it's SUPPOSED to be Wordless Wednesday, but I haven't blogged for awhile and it's just been a blur of work, assignments, life. And, in the midst of that, I realized that Spike wasn't quite himself. He's been sleeping more than normal and has been quite grumpy with Murphy. In fact, he's been SO grumpy, he CLEARLY gave me the message that the intact male Sheltie I tried to bring home to foster was NOT coming in the house. So, at the advice of a friend, I followed my gut and decided to take him off to the vet.

I took him to someone new... Dr. Orchard who is a holistic vet and dog chiropracter and had her check him over. And, I was shocked about what she found; his jaw was out, his shoulders were both out, his left wrist, a couple ribs and his pelvis were all out. This is apparently not uncommon for a dog who participates in sports. Fortunately, by the end of the appointment, he had responded well to treatment and I scheduled a follow up for the next week. As of that appointment, his shoulder and wrist were still sore but he was feeling well enough to wait for two weeks.

In the meantime, he's on somewhat restricted activity but can still do certain things. Agility, with low jumps ok. Weaves and contacts not. Flyball, straight over the jumps ok. Box work not. So, I've been hanging out with him, letting him take it a bit easier, but doing some massage, a bit of running around the yard and play with Sophie and Murphy. He's gone to a couple agility classes and seemed to be fine. But, last night and this morning, he was clearly limping. I think my heart stopped when I saw that, at least for a second. I can't have two dogs with joint issues. I just can't.

Thank goodness we have an appointment this Saturday and in fact, this vet is so good, I am taking Sophie too. And, I am stepping up the work with Spike... more massage, peanut ball work to work on his core strength and stretches. That's really all I can do, and hope that I haven't messed the poor boy up beyond repair. I hope that he recovers quickly and we can get back to normal. I hate to think about how life will change if Spike is injured beyond my ability to help him recover enough to run the sports he loves. I just keep on trying and hoping and I guess that's all I can do!