We rescue dogs with frisbee potential and place them into competitive
homes on a regular basis and have been doing so for about 3 years now.
We pulled a great smooth coat BC, Ranger, from the local kill shelter
about 5 weeks ago - he was doing great with disc training and was
quickly placed into a performance home. After less than a week of daily
work, he began to turn up lame; x-rays reveal severe bi-lateral hip
dysplasia. So he is being returned, as the examining vet feels he
should never play disc again.

We are now faced with the dilemma of placing him. At this point
euthanasia is also not entirely out of the question. I am trying to
amass information from those who have owned dysplastic dogs, esp. BCs,
as to your experiences, how to manage it, how the dysplastic dog ages
and what sorts of medical care may be required.

The sad part of this entire story is that Ranger is, by nature, a very
"busy" dog; he needs a job to do to truly feel happy and secure. We
found it in frisbee play and I am worried that the type of life he
should lead due to the dysplasia may not be at all conducive to his
temperment, needs, and overall happiness. What do you all think? Btw,
Ranger is 1.5 yrs of age, a lean 40# at 21" tall.

Thanks!
Tracy

EAT, SLEEP, DISC-DOG!

http://www.flyingk9s.com

http://community.webtv.net/tracycust...USTERGRUBPAGE0

Tracy,

Just because a dog has this problem does not mean that they can not lead a
meaningful life. There are medications to deal with the pain as they age
and supplements to help with the joints. And surgery if needed in some
cases. You won't know that unless he is taken to an orthopedic vet for
evaluation. A general vet is ok but for this you need a specialist to get a
true picture of what is involved. I wouldn't immediately thing that putting
him to sleep should be the answer. Yes placing him may be a problem because
over his lifetime his is going to be a high maintenance dog with medication
needs but you don't know if you can find someone to take him until you try.

I had a Husky/Lab/Cocker mix and talk about high strung and rambunctious.
His energy level wasn't much different than that of the collie/shepard mix I
have now. I know collies have to be kept busy to keep them focused and out
of trouble Barney wasn't much different in that respect. Barney developed
arthritis at the age of 5 where we started him on aspirin therapy and at age
7 it became severe enough that it was either put him on prescription meds or
put him to sleep. He blew out a knee at the age of 7 chasing a rabbit and 6
months later developed his first mast cell cancer. About 9 months later he
blew out the other knee and it required surgery to. I made sure he spent
the last 5 years of his life pain free because I took the time to get him to
an orthopedic vet who worked with me on getting his knees repaired, physical
therapy and put him on prescription arthritis medications. Over time we had
to increase the medications and at one point change to a different type to
get him better relief. Even up until the last week of his life where the
cancer started to take it's tole he would tear off the porch at full force
chasing rabbits and squirrels out of the yard.

Celeste







"Tracy Custer" wrote in message
...
We rescue dogs with frisbee potential and place them into competitive
homes on a regular basis and have been doing so for about 3 years now.
We pulled a great smooth coat BC, Ranger, from the local kill shelter
about 5 weeks ago - he was doing great with disc training and was
quickly placed into a performance home. After less than a week of daily
work, he began to turn up lame; x-rays reveal severe bi-lateral hip
dysplasia. So he is being returned, as the examining vet feels he
should never play disc again.

We are now faced with the dilemma of placing him. At this point
euthanasia is also not entirely out of the question. I am trying to
amass information from those who have owned dysplastic dogs, esp. BCs,
as to your experiences, how to manage it, how the dysplastic dog ages
and what sorts of medical care may be required.

The sad part of this entire story is that Ranger is, by nature, a very
"busy" dog; he needs a job to do to truly feel happy and secure. We
found it in frisbee play and I am worried that the type of life he
should lead due to the dysplasia may not be at all conducive to his
temperment, needs, and overall happiness. What do you all think? Btw,
Ranger is 1.5 yrs of age, a lean 40# at 21" tall.

Thanks!
Tracy

EAT, SLEEP, DISC-DOG!

http://www.flyingk9s.com

http://community.webtv.net/tracycust...USTERGRUBPAGE0

From:

The sad part of this entire story is that Ranger is, by nature, a very
"busy" dog; he needs a job to do to truly feel happy and secure. We
found it in frisbee play and I am worried that the type of life he
should lead due to the dysplasia may not be at all conducive to his
temperment, needs, and overall happiness. What do you all think?

My vote would be for euthanasia. Limited resources are being used that
could benefit a better prospect for a good, long term placement.

You asked.

Debbie
and yes, I've walked the talk.

Good points on both sides; Debbie's point is well taken.......in rescue
we often have to make such decisions for the good of the greater whole.
We can only take in 1-2 fosters at a time. So keeping a dog with any
disability or behavior issue, causing him to be a hard placement, does
take up a space that an otherwise healthy (or well-adjusted) dog could
fill. Ranger is currently with his adoptive family, but is being
returned to us this coming weekend, so I have some time to think through
this and make an educated choice. I might add that this dog has an
exceptional temperment and is one of the most well-behaved dogs we've
had in our program, and believe me, I do get attached to every dog we
place as if they were my own! That is why I am just trying to make the
right choice for Ranger.

Thanks for the advice, keep it coming!

Tracy

EAT, SLEEP, DISC-DOG!

http://www.flyingk9s.com

http://community.webtv.net/tracycust...USTERGRUBPAGE0

(Tracy Custer) wrote in news:15684-42B6D2FF-811
@storefull-3111.bay.webtv.net:

Thanks for the advice, keep it coming!

How difficult would it be to "swap" dogs with another rescue. Perhaps one
that has an extremely high-energy dog that it is having trouble placing (as
it seems that your rescue specializes in that) for your dog that needs to
transition to a lower-intensity lifestyle?

--
Marcel and Moogli
http://mudbunny.blogspot.com/