Shepherds at the vet

Gambit

Today was Gambit's vet visit.  He went in for an exam and xrays so I could tell folks why he's a little gimpy.  It wasn't the worst possible news, but it sure wasn't good.  He's got hip dysplasia, of course.  It's worse in the right hip and that's the side where he drags a foot.  He does the stairs like a three-legged dog really, using the right rear leg just for a bit of balance.  He's also got a few fused vertebrae, which are probably causing or contributing to the neurologic deficiency--the signal from his brain just doesn't get transmitted all the way down to the legs.  Both of these problems are progressive conditions.  I got a bottle of carprofen (generic Rimadyl) and will start him on that. 


He also had an ear infection but that we can treat.  The good news is that he doesn't really act like he's in pain at this point.  He's the sweetest dog, loves attention and affection, and he loves to fetch a ball.  I've never had a dog who plays fetch as well as this one.  He retrieves the ball, and tosses it back at your feet so you can throw it again.  He can't run very far or fast, but he gives it his all, and he's not ready to cash it in just yet.  Gambit will be a great dog for a less active person and if people would be honest with themselves, that's what most of us are.

Gambit has a sound mind and solid temperament, but he's getting older and his body is failing him.  Max, on the other hand, is quite sound physically, but he's not right in the head.  Max made the trip with us today too because I wanted to try him on another medication.  The Prozac has helped a bit, but he's still maniacal when he's excited.  He would be better in a home where he's the only dog and particularly in a home where there's no Ochie.  We added an anti-anxiety medication to his canine cocktail, but it won't really be a "fix."  He needs someone who can handle him, keep him in a calm and quiet environment, and still give him plenty of exercise.  Ideally, he needs someone who would do something with him, like agility or anything really, to give him some focus.  When he's out on the trail, on a leash, he's highly focused, particularly if we see some wildlife.  He can focus but he can't do it on his own.  Foster care, particularly in this household, is not a good situation for him, but it's the situation he's in since someone dumped him.

Max

Gambit