Thursday, December 06, 2012

Pixel Update

I took Pixel to Calgary to see her rehab/chiro vet yesterday. I've been nervous about the appointment for a few weeks. She hasn't been quite right for a while, and I suspected something "big" was going on. Of course, always the pessimist, I was thinking a disc issue or something of the like.

She definitely was in need of an adjustment but Veronica doesn't think there is anything too major going in. I feel like a weight has been lifted off my chest. 

Pixel had a few ouchie spots- her neck being the biggest one. From heeling of course... She had a few adjustments in her neck/shoulder area and Veronica showed me how to feel if one side was tighter than the other. I should be able to work it out on my own with some light massage if I catch it in time. She will be taking a few months off from heeling though. We will have to work on some other training things and get back to the quest for a CDX in the spring...

Her lower lumbar and pelvis was also out. Pixel didn't appreciate this adjustment at all... But I think she is feeling better because of it. She also got a Traumeel injection which will help her to feel better. 

Pixel was also booked for X-Rays but unfortunately the machine wasn't working properly so we will be going back next week for them. I am getting her spine, and hips xrayed just to be sure. Veronica couldn't tell for sure about her hips- I've been concerned because her sits have gotten sloppier and sloppier, often sitting so far back on her butt that her legs stick out. Is this because she is lazy? Or uncomfortable? At this point it is debatable so I have some exercises to do to work on getting her more in an "up" sit. X-Rays will tell. If she is displastic it is not the end of the world- there are plenty of dogs out there with Hip Displasia that still do things. Of course I hope she isn't because it will be just one more thing for me to worry about. lol.

Displastic or not we will be doing things a little differently in the future. Apparently my Cardigans are made of glass and need to live in a bubble. It is frustrating at times, but I need to just deal with what I have. And I have another Cardigan who will never play agility again. The risk for a back injury (which could be life threatening) is too great for me. She obviously is compromised structurally to have some much wrong with her at a young age- and with very limited agility in the past 5 months! Agility is probably not even the cause of all of this- she hasn't done anything in months! And still her back, and pelvis are more than a little sore. That's alarming for me. Aside from bits of obedience she hasn't done anything outside of real life. And if real life makes her lame, well that's a problem. So we will be moving on to something else for Pixel too. Which makes me sad to type because she really did like agility and it was something we had fun doing together. She is only two Q's away from an ATCHC. But I'll take my dogs health and longevity over a title any day. There is no question or regret for me. I am thankful to have at least caught this before her injuries were severe enough to warrant no fun (like Wicca). At least Pixel is still able to go back to some sports- Scenthurdle, Obedience (with a new heeling style) and maybe we'll pick up something new like Tracking...

So for once I am feeling Optimistic. The world is not over. My dog still has a long, healthy, painfree life ahead of her. And I am very grateful for that. This has been keeping me up at night for a few weeks. I'm looking forward to some sleep! 

7 comments:

Taryn said...

I am happy to hear it was nothing serious, but more like typical Cardigan issues. Where you comment that your Cardigans are made of glass....With my 1st Cardi, who had the IVDD, we always used to say..."Be careful with Dylan, remember, he's a piece of glass!"

I am doing some soul-searching about Jimmy....thinking I should move him down to Preferred despite being almost halfway to our MACH.

And then there are Cardis like Letti...rock solid and always giving 110%....she must be one of a kind.

Anonymous said...

Glad Pixel will be alright!

manymuddypaws said...

Taryn, I used to think that about Wicca too. That she was a rock.

I wonder how much chiro Letti gets...

Jen said...

Poor pup! Hopefully the x-rays, when you get them, show nothing serious, and these adjustments do the trick.

Thirteen Sheep (Or More) said...

You are such a good dog mom!

Mel, Corgi-keeper said...

I am so glad Pixel will be okay. It is also good that she can continue to do some of the sports that she enjoys and will have a long and happy life.

I have definitely been feeling your pain lately, with my own Cardigan recently showing some signs of "being made of glass." He is not quite four years old yet and is starting to develop arthritis in his legs, particularly in one of his hips. I'm doing everything in my power to make sure that he is comfortable and happy, but is has been tough...

It is good to hear some positive stories from Cardi owners. They are amazing dogs. I just wish that they were more structurally sound.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you are going through this with Pixel. I certainly understand the frustration. My Pembroke Kirby had just a few injuries during his agility and obedience career and I thought that I was lucky that he was able to compete until he was 11. I started getting a bit nervous about the way he was moving and retired him. One month later he blew a disc in his back. Thankfully he recovered without surgery but I sure wish I would have stopped agility earlier. Kirby is back to running around and playing with the BCs but he will never be 100% again. I have loved my corgis but I won't get another one for agility, it would scare me too much.