Anonymous

I've asked three different vets if Molly can return to the field. My vet said no, one specialist said she shouldn't (that was before the surgery) and the other specialist (post op check-up) said "Why not?". I have to take her back for one last checkup in March and will ask again. But what do you guys think? I'm almost certain this happened because I let her jump on and off the bed, but I can't be totally sure. She gets around fine, runs around and wrestles with the Lab, but not for long times. She's fine running and walking, but doesn't sit for any length of time. She'll be 8 in June and before I would enter her in a Hunt Test I would get more weight off of her and increase her exercise. Am I being selfish because I REALLY want her MHH? The dog LOVES to chase bunnies. And I really miss being out in the field with all the hounds. Let me know what YOU would do. Thank you!! Belinda.

Mikey T

it would seam to me the specialist at post op had the most information to draw on. That said it certainly is not risk free. Heck trialing with completely healthy uninjured dog has risks. Personnally I would let the dog speak to my by it's action. If I listened to my ortho vet none of by basset would compete in agility because he thinks it is to hard on them. Toughy is now 10 and injury free. You just need to be sure you can live with the worst consequences of the decision you make.

[ February 23, 2005, 12:55 PM: Message edited by: Toughynutter ]

Anonymous

Michael, that's the hard part. It's my decision. I think all the play she does with Stryker is harder on her than the hunt tests Basically, all Bassets do in the field is sniff and run. It's not agility, there are zero jumps, and I'm so conflicted!! Please more input!! Thanks, Belinda.

Soundtrack

When Kermit had to be retired from obedience (at age 7)due to a neck injury, my vet also wanted him to quit tracking, showing, breeding(!), and almost all other activities other than gentle walking. She said he could end up as a quadriplegic (SP?). Now, Kermit was (and at 12 still is) a lively dog and that sort of restrictions would have simply driven him crazy. I decided that such a restricted life would be no life at all for him, and so although I did retire him from obedience and avoided letting him jump on me I decided to let him lead a normal life doing the things he enjoyed. I gambled and won, he has never had any other issues, but I could have lost and had to put him to sleep if he really did lose use of all four legs.

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Dean

It's sure good to hear she is doing so well. I agree that a hunt test is less stress than playing hard. I believe I would take her out and see how she reacts to bunnies. Pick an area where she does not have to jump, and there is no really heavy brush. If she wants to run, consider a hunt test in NJ (flat ground and no heavy brush). Critter or some other slower basset as a brace mate.

pinehawk

tough call Belinda.if i was you i would have to watch her run in the field for about 20 minutes( on game) to see how she is moving.than stop and take Molly out of the field for about 2 hours and watch how she does( acts stiff or sore ) if not run her again for another 20 minutes than evalute her over night if she is real sore or stiff the next day.it is up to you to say if it is from being out of running shape or if it is from the operation.i know you will make the right choice.the only thing i can say is keep her well being in mind when you do make it.

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Jersey Girls, plus

Belinda,

I too am glad thay Molly is doing so well! All the feed back above is well said. I'm in sort of the same situation with my horse. She's old, but everytime we go out, she's still full of p*ss and vinegar.

I also think that starting slow and no jumping would be the way to go. You are so in tune with Molly, you'll know!

Take care,
Alice

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Barbara Winters

Belinda,

Difficult Decision. Not knowing all the health details it's hard to say but I would think the orthopedic surgeon's opinion would carry more weight.

I tend to be a worry wart and not let my dogs do certain activities for health reasons. Hillary had an enlarged heart and murmur at age 2 so I didn't take her to the fun field trials. In retrospect she loved to hunt and died at 9 1/2 from pancreatic cancer; her heart never got any worse. I wish that I'd let her chase the bunnies.

Toby loved dog school and shows. I stopped training in open because of concerns about back injuries. I still entered him in Veterans Breed and Obedience which made him so happy. He did have serious back problems at age 12 so maybe jumping would have hastened the progression. I am satisfied with the compromise I made here.

Roady has had health issues his entire life. At 7 he could hardly walk d/t arthritis in the hocks. I've let him play with friends and there have been times when I had to use a sling to get him up the stairs. However he is now 11 1/2 and I pretty much allow him to do what he wants except get on and off my bed. He had an episode of back and leg pain a couple of months ago where he couldn't even get on his dog bed but it wasn't exercise induced.

You also have to figure into the equation what will make you happy. There are always risks but I don't see how letting her hunt would be any greater a risk than her every day life. If it were me, as long as I did everything to get her in the best shape possible, I wouldn't have any guilt if she relapsed.

Keep us posted on what you decide.

Betsy Iole

Knowing you, Belinda, I would support whatever decision you make.

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Anonymous

Thanks everyone for your input. Sorry for the delay in answering, but I was in Mexico for 12 days (rough life, right?!). I'm going to take her back to the specialist one more time and if she gives the go ahead, I'm going to get Molly in great shape over the summer and enter her in Nationals. You made a good point Barbara. If I do all I can to get her fit and she hurts herself doing her most favorite (and mine) thing in the world, so be it. She was never a couch potato and I doubt she's happy being one now. Thanks for the good advice also Billy. That's how I'll start her out, a little bit a bunny at a time. Thanks again everyone and take care, Belinda. P.S. When we were in Cozumel my parents watched the dogs. The rents live near a bay on the Long Island Sound and there are water rats around. My Dad let Stryker the Lab out in the backyard and a few minutes later went to let him in and Stryker had caught one! YUK!! My Dad told him to drop it and then he sent it to rat wherever. YUK!!