Very bad news
- Thread starter Laurelin
- Start date
I am so, so sorry. I was in a similar situation before I got Zuma, and actually this was the reason I got her. I had two dogs both trained in agility, one who flat out did not enjoy it and one who loved it but is a danger to people and could never realistically trial. Working at an agility facility didn't really leave me the option of not running a dog, so we made the decision to add a third. Obviously this time around, I was insanely choosey about who we would add and I evaluated dogs with the absolute requirement that they would be a performance candidate.
It is absolutely heartbreaking when you realize that your dreams for a dog are unattainable. Classic was supposed to be my first breed ring dog, that dream fell apart when I had to neuter him for temperament issues. So then we focused on agility with the same results. Even though I still take Classic to agility classes, there are times I leave crying, especially when he has had a fantastic day. I see the talent, the drive and the enthusiasm. I know the potential he has that I will never be able to show or put any real meaning on.
It is absolutely heartbreaking when you realize that your dreams for a dog are unattainable. Classic was supposed to be my first breed ring dog, that dream fell apart when I had to neuter him for temperament issues. So then we focused on agility with the same results. Even though I still take Classic to agility classes, there are times I leave crying, especially when he has had a fantastic day. I see the talent, the drive and the enthusiasm. I know the potential he has that I will never be able to show or put any real meaning on.
(((hugs))) I'm so sorry. Although not quite the same, I experienced something very similar with Chloe when she was younger. I wasn't deeply committed to pursuing a dog sport, but I wanted a stable, athletic, intelligent dog that I could go places and do things with, that could be my companion in all things. I had one shot to get a dog (my parents were NOT very willing), and I adopted her. Within the first year of her life, I came to realize that even my simplest desire of having a well adjusted family dog was not going to be fulfilled with her. I can't take her places. I can't trust her around strange people. In certain instances, I can't even trust her around family members. She is very dog selective (and reactive). She isn't kid safe - at all. She has anxiety problems and can't cope with stress. She is very sound sensitive and goes into a panic during storms/fireworks/hunting season. Now due to her bum back leg, I can't even go for bike rides with her (which she loved) and she no longer likes to wrestle with other dogs (which she used to do with abandon).
About the time all of that sunk in, I was miserable. I considered rehoming her, but came to realize that it wasn't plausible to rehome a dog with that many issues. So I stuck it out, worked with her, and made her bearable. She's my dog and we finally did develop a bond...but it still frustrates me to have to manage her so vigilantly and not be able to do things with her. After five years of hard work and effort to have people tell me, "Your dog is crazy. You really need to work with her" is so frustrating. And then to have people not understand why I want to get another dog, to finally get that stable, athletic, intelligent dog that I can do things with? Almost just as frustrating. And now not knowing if I actually will be able to get my second dog later this year (after three years of waiting) due to family issues, and that if everything goes wrong that could go wrong I may not be able to get a second dog anytime soon in the next decade? I just want to curl up into a little ball.
About the time all of that sunk in, I was miserable. I considered rehoming her, but came to realize that it wasn't plausible to rehome a dog with that many issues. So I stuck it out, worked with her, and made her bearable. She's my dog and we finally did develop a bond...but it still frustrates me to have to manage her so vigilantly and not be able to do things with her. After five years of hard work and effort to have people tell me, "Your dog is crazy. You really need to work with her" is so frustrating. And then to have people not understand why I want to get another dog, to finally get that stable, athletic, intelligent dog that I can do things with? Almost just as frustrating. And now not knowing if I actually will be able to get my second dog later this year (after three years of waiting) due to family issues, and that if everything goes wrong that could go wrong I may not be able to get a second dog anytime soon in the next decade? I just want to curl up into a little ball.
I don't know what grade 3 and 2 means. But Jose` has luxating patellas in both legs and has had surgery in one because at one time it was quite bad and causing him some pain. For the most part though, he doesn't have pain. It's just that they pop out once in a while. BUT...if he is well exercised, it makes a world of difference...huge difference. Those muscles and ligaments being strong really hold things together. Now, he may not be able to compete in agility, but I'll tell you...he can run like the wind (for his shape and size) and leap and scramble over things when hiking, zip around like a normal dog. So, he jumps, runs, zigs and zags. Your dog may not be able to compete in agility, but she may be able to have a fun life and be able to do agility without being the best or the fastest. But I am very sorry for your disappointment. I do hope she won't have too much trouble or pain with this condition....like lucky Jose`. It can cause great pain in some dogs and in some, not much at all.
Thanks again guys, I really really needed to hear these things from someone.
Grade 3 means her patella is almost always luxated. Grade 2 is less severe and it pops in and out.
I've read as much as I can find and it really seems 50/50 on whether or not it's a good idea to let them run agility or not. Or even whether they need surgery or not. Some people say to operate on them at the first diagnosis to prevent arthritis and some say to leave it unless they have problems. My vet thought she was fine for agility and says he's seen dogs that have their patellas permanently riding out that never have a problem. As far as agility I see that there are a lot of people that do run their dogs in agility with LP, but mostly low grades. My vet also said if it was something she really enjoyed he'd let her do it. Just very torn about it all.
She's not had problems with it but I have noticed for a while that her gait is a little different than the other dogs. She will toe in on her back end sometimes. Running and jumping she looks normal to me. At a walk is where I started being concerned because of the toeing in. I also will feel her knee pop when I groom her if I pick up her foot. But no limping and no bunny hopping or any of that.
I KNOW she's not a dog that I can keep down at all. She is too active and too driven. I do worry about what Dekka is saying that Mia will not stop if she is hurting. I don't think she will. She will already chase the ball till she pukes or jump into a wall if the ball is there.
Doing agility just for fun... I'm not sure I want to even do that much. I am very competitive and she is very competitive. I just don't know if I can have fun playing if I know that competition may be out of our reach. My class is not a 'fun agility' type of class, it's a class to prepare you for competition. Everything the trainer talks about is for competition.
Grade 3 means her patella is almost always luxated. Grade 2 is less severe and it pops in and out.
Very sorry to hear this 
Was she having problems? Is that why you had her checked?
Was she having problems? Is that why you had her checked?
She's not had problems with it but I have noticed for a while that her gait is a little different than the other dogs. She will toe in on her back end sometimes. Running and jumping she looks normal to me. At a walk is where I started being concerned because of the toeing in. I also will feel her knee pop when I groom her if I pick up her foot. But no limping and no bunny hopping or any of that.
I KNOW she's not a dog that I can keep down at all. She is too active and too driven. I do worry about what Dekka is saying that Mia will not stop if she is hurting. I don't think she will. She will already chase the ball till she pukes or jump into a wall if the ball is there.
Doing agility just for fun... I'm not sure I want to even do that much. I am very competitive and she is very competitive. I just don't know if I can have fun playing if I know that competition may be out of our reach. My class is not a 'fun agility' type of class, it's a class to prepare you for competition. Everything the trainer talks about is for competition.
That's what happened yesterday and what I know would happen in the future too with me. She has so much potential and I think it would hurt so much for me.
Then I feel selfish and am thinking of how I'm robbing her of some potential fun times simply because I couldn't handle it. I really just don't know...
Then I feel selfish and am thinking of how I'm robbing her of some potential fun times simply because I couldn't handle it. I really just don't know...
Oh no! I'm so sorry, Laurelin
I understand the competitive thing. I'm the same way. I know that I wouldn't be able to continue doing stuff for fun with Kimma if she ever had an issue and couldn't compete. But I really do think that Mia can do great things in Rally/Obedience, so maybe focus a bit there until you get your next agility dog? Either way, it sucks
I understand the competitive thing. I'm the same way. I know that I wouldn't be able to continue doing stuff for fun with Kimma if she ever had an issue and couldn't compete. But I really do think that Mia can do great things in Rally/Obedience, so maybe focus a bit there until you get your next agility dog? Either way, it sucks
Thanks. I think I will talk to her instructor and get their opinion. I really feel unsure at this point about what is best for her.
I think she can too and I'm trying to focus on that instead of the no agility. We have rally class tomorrow and I'm going to try to be excited about it. I hope it goes well. :/
Oh no! I'm so sorry, Laurelin
I understand the competitive thing. I'm the same way. I know that I wouldn't be able to continue doing stuff for fun with Kimma if she ever had an issue and couldn't compete. But I really do think that Mia can do great things in Rally/Obedience, so maybe focus a bit there until you get your next agility dog? Either way, it sucks
I understand the competitive thing. I'm the same way. I know that I wouldn't be able to continue doing stuff for fun with Kimma if she ever had an issue and couldn't compete. But I really do think that Mia can do great things in Rally/Obedience, so maybe focus a bit there until you get your next agility dog? Either way, it sucks
Keep in mind that this is all new and raw for you, really I bet you're still in sort of an emotional shock. You don't have to decide everything about your future plans right this second.Your feelings about the specifics of how comfortable you are with agility and doing for fun vs. competitive might evolve over time, or they might not. Give yourself some time and be easy on yourself, you have every reason in the world to be disappointed and unsure how you want to move forward.
I keep trying to remind myself of this!
My plan right now is to:
1) talk to the trainer about the diagnosis and get her take on things
2) get an appointment with the sports vet
3) ask the landlord if a third dog is an option
I am honestly unsure that if I even get the go ahead for a third dog if I would even do it at this point. I'd need to think about it quite a bit. My knee jerk reaction was that I would but I need to think about the logistics of it in regards to things OTHER than training. In all other aspects, I am very happy with my current dogs. Life is very nice and comfortable and it would definitely be an adjustment for everyone. There is also the fact that the more I think on it, the more I realize that I would likely need to make some sacrifices on the breed of the next dog. I can't see myself with four dogs ever so that might push my dream dogs off a few years. At this point, that is something I am fine with though, strangely enough.
If I decide not to pursue agility with Mia and can't get a third dog, it's going to hurt but it will give me more incentive to save money and buy a house. I've run the calculations and am looking at about this time in 2014 for when I can buy. I need to remind myself it's not that long.
My plan right now is to:
1) talk to the trainer about the diagnosis and get her take on things
2) get an appointment with the sports vet
3) ask the landlord if a third dog is an option
I am honestly unsure that if I even get the go ahead for a third dog if I would even do it at this point. I'd need to think about it quite a bit. My knee jerk reaction was that I would but I need to think about the logistics of it in regards to things OTHER than training. In all other aspects, I am very happy with my current dogs. Life is very nice and comfortable and it would definitely be an adjustment for everyone. There is also the fact that the more I think on it, the more I realize that I would likely need to make some sacrifices on the breed of the next dog. I can't see myself with four dogs ever so that might push my dream dogs off a few years. At this point, that is something I am fine with though, strangely enough.
If I decide not to pursue agility with Mia and can't get a third dog, it's going to hurt but it will give me more incentive to save money and buy a house. I've run the calculations and am looking at about this time in 2014 for when I can buy. I need to remind myself it's not that long.
I'm soooo sorry to hear Laur, and I hope everything turns out ok.
This story from Aleron, however made me feel the need to share my own.
My dog Rumor broke a toe and injured her knee at about a year old. We were just playing frisbee and she landed wrong. I sidelined her from any sports pretty much from there on out. I had my vet (who I trust) say surgery wasn't needed. The knee wasn't bad enough and until it blew out completely to just let her be a dog. I had her evaluated by a holistic/sports vet. He basically said "I'd do surgery, and I'd do it on both knees, and I'd do it now." She only has a limp on her right rear leg, and its only occasionally, when she overworks it. I was devastated. Here's my dog who loves fetching, swimming, jumping, running and here I was thinking "Oh, I'll just get a second opinion."
Needless to say, after that I did nothing. I was too upset. I watched her like a hawk and let her play ball and live her life. I couldn't keep her cooped up, because "just being a dog" isn't good enough for her.
Finally one day, I came to the realization that this dog's knee could go out at any time, but in the meantime, two years had passed and she hasn't killed herself. If she wants to do agility, we will do agility. If she wants to play frisbee I'm going to let her. I'll let her go balls to the wall all day if thats what keeps us both happy. Her knee could just as easily go out jumping off the couch, and I'd much rather it go out because she jumped off the dock, or did something silly on the springpole or whatever.
Now that *I* am ok with what we may face later, I can let her live her life now, and thats all dogs want to do. They want to live in the moment, and enjoy it.
This story from Aleron, however made me feel the need to share my own.
My dog Rumor broke a toe and injured her knee at about a year old. We were just playing frisbee and she landed wrong. I sidelined her from any sports pretty much from there on out. I had my vet (who I trust) say surgery wasn't needed. The knee wasn't bad enough and until it blew out completely to just let her be a dog. I had her evaluated by a holistic/sports vet. He basically said "I'd do surgery, and I'd do it on both knees, and I'd do it now." She only has a limp on her right rear leg, and its only occasionally, when she overworks it. I was devastated. Here's my dog who loves fetching, swimming, jumping, running and here I was thinking "Oh, I'll just get a second opinion."
Needless to say, after that I did nothing. I was too upset. I watched her like a hawk and let her play ball and live her life. I couldn't keep her cooped up, because "just being a dog" isn't good enough for her.
Finally one day, I came to the realization that this dog's knee could go out at any time, but in the meantime, two years had passed and she hasn't killed herself. If she wants to do agility, we will do agility. If she wants to play frisbee I'm going to let her. I'll let her go balls to the wall all day if thats what keeps us both happy. Her knee could just as easily go out jumping off the couch, and I'd much rather it go out because she jumped off the dock, or did something silly on the springpole or whatever.
Now that *I* am ok with what we may face later, I can let her live her life now, and thats all dogs want to do. They want to live in the moment, and enjoy it.
I really really appreciate hearing your story. It really helps to see that we're not the only ones facing issues and tough decisions like that.
I can't keep Mia down. It's not going to happen and she'd be miserable. That is one thing that has me hesitating on the decision to pull her from agility. She is just as active day to day as she would be in agility. She runs and jumps and does all of that stuff on her own. So would agility really be that bad for her? Would it really change anything? I'm not sure. On the other hand, I want her to stay as sound as possible.
But you really can't keep her cooped up. That would be unfair.
DSC_0954 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr
I can't keep Mia down. It's not going to happen and she'd be miserable. That is one thing that has me hesitating on the decision to pull her from agility. She is just as active day to day as she would be in agility. She runs and jumps and does all of that stuff on her own. So would agility really be that bad for her? Would it really change anything? I'm not sure. On the other hand, I want her to stay as sound as possible.
But you really can't keep her cooped up. That would be unfair.
DSC_0954 by Summer_Papillon, on Flickr
I'm really sorry to hear about Mia. I know the feeling you mean about every little movement she does worries you. It's not quite the same, but after Maddy dying the way she did, I constantly worry about the girls running, and every time they leap, it takes my breath away because I am so upset.
Hopefully a sports vet can help Mia.
to hear about Mia. I know the feeling you mean about every little movement she does worries you. It's not quite the same, but after Maddy dying the way she did, I constantly worry about the girls running, and every time they leap, it takes my breath away because I am so upset.Hopefully a sports vet can help Mia.
Laur, I haven't read the entire thread, so I have missed some stuff but.........
First I second the second opinion with a sports vet.
Second, what you are going through happened to a friend of mine, amazing young dog that she had put a lot of training into.....bang problem (patella) and vet said no agility. My friend was inconsolable at first, which is understandable and the point where you are now. She finally took a big breath and consulted with a sports vet, and put her dog on a very careful training/conditioning routine.
Her goals to start competing in agility were sidelined for the time being, but with careful conditioning after the rest period, they started back at agility training.
Jump forward 2 yrs, dog is a rockstar in agility, competing, Q'ing/Titling and is a fast, talented dog. She is also not a small breed like yours is.............
Is her patella perfect? No. Can she run agility and not be lame? Yes. Does the dog know or care? No. Is she happy to be doing agility? Yes
Had a very nice lesson today with that dog, that 2 years ago was told she couldn't do agility...........yeah tell her that
And btw, anytime she has had problem with the patella was from rough housing with other dogs, never on the agility field.
Good luck.
First I second the second opinion with a sports vet.
Second, what you are going through happened to a friend of mine, amazing young dog that she had put a lot of training into.....bang problem (patella) and vet said no agility. My friend was inconsolable at first, which is understandable and the point where you are now. She finally took a big breath and consulted with a sports vet, and put her dog on a very careful training/conditioning routine.
Her goals to start competing in agility were sidelined for the time being, but with careful conditioning after the rest period, they started back at agility training.
Jump forward 2 yrs, dog is a rockstar in agility, competing, Q'ing/Titling and is a fast, talented dog. She is also not a small breed like yours is.............
Is her patella perfect? No. Can she run agility and not be lame? Yes. Does the dog know or care? No. Is she happy to be doing agility? Yes
Had a very nice lesson today with that dog, that 2 years ago was told she couldn't do agility...........yeah tell her that
And btw, anytime she has had problem with the patella was from rough housing with other dogs, never on the agility field.
Good luck.
Laur, I haven't read the entire thread, so I have missed some stuff but.........
First I second the second opinion with a sports vet.
Second, what you are going through happened to a friend of mine, amazing young dog that she had put a lot of training into.....bang problem (patella) and vet said no agility. My friend was inconsolable at first, which is understandable and the point where you are now. She finally took a big breath and consulted with a sports vet, and put her dog on a very careful training/conditioning routine.
Her goals to start competing in agility were sidelined for the time being, but with careful conditioning after the rest period, they started back at agility training.
Jump forward 2 yrs, dog is a rockstar in agility, competing, Q'ing/Titling and is a fast, talented dog. She is also not a small breed like yours is.............
Is her patella perfect? No. Can she run agility and not be lame? Yes. Does the dog know or care? No. Is she happy to be doing agility? Yes
Had a very nice lesson today with that dog, that 2 years ago was told she couldn't do agility...........yeah tell her that
And btw, anytime she has had problem with the patella was from rough housing with other dogs, never on the agility field.
Good luck.
First I second the second opinion with a sports vet.
Second, what you are going through happened to a friend of mine, amazing young dog that she had put a lot of training into.....bang problem (patella) and vet said no agility. My friend was inconsolable at first, which is understandable and the point where you are now. She finally took a big breath and consulted with a sports vet, and put her dog on a very careful training/conditioning routine.
Her goals to start competing in agility were sidelined for the time being, but with careful conditioning after the rest period, they started back at agility training.
Jump forward 2 yrs, dog is a rockstar in agility, competing, Q'ing/Titling and is a fast, talented dog. She is also not a small breed like yours is.............
Is her patella perfect? No. Can she run agility and not be lame? Yes. Does the dog know or care? No. Is she happy to be doing agility? Yes
Had a very nice lesson today with that dog, that 2 years ago was told she couldn't do agility...........yeah tell her that
And btw, anytime she has had problem with the patella was from rough housing with other dogs, never on the agility field.
Good luck.
