one day at a time
Comments(9) The reality of Kess’s new life as a tripawd slapped us in the face yesterday. I took her out to our monthly disc dog get together. It was just myself and one other handler so we were letting the dogs run free and casual chucking the disc now and again. Kess was loose for about an hour and maybe did 15-20 retrieves. She seemed fine while we were out, and was laying down between throws and I tied her up for a couple of forced rest periods. I knew I was pushing the limit of what Kess’s endurance, and it turned out to be to much.
As soon as we got home it was very apparent that she had serious fatigue and pain in her remaining hind leg. I felt really, really horrible as her care taker for not doing a better job of managing her. I gave her some pain killers, lots of massages, stretches, and heat packs. The problem with border collies is that they are more than willing to work themselves to death for a loving owner, their work ethic is so ingrained into their psyche that they will mask and hide pain so that they can continue the work they love. Add Kess’s alpha attitude and stoic response to pain, and it’s very easy to let her over do it without realizing it. Kess really likes to sleep in (which I’ve always thought was kind of odd), and generally doesn’t come downstairs until an hour or so after I get up. So it was a great relief this morning when she came running down the stairs ready to start her day. She’s still a little stiff and getting up and moving slowly, but I’m confident that it’s just a case of muscle fatigue and not a more serious injury.
Thankfully it turned out not to be a major crisis, but it was a very strong reminder that it’s my responsibility to help Kess rehab in a healthy and safe manner.
Glad everything is well with Kess.
And wow – a sleeper-inner dog?! I can’t even shift the bed covers in the morning without Catie and Riley (okay, mostly Riley these days) trying to beat me to the kitchen. 🙂
Glad Kess is better this a.m. I’ve learned the hard way as well, to not push Maggie. Although Maggie is FAR from a BC, she is stoic from pain as well and will do what I ask, if I ask in the MOMENT. But after the moment(s), she has shown me that we’ve gone too far.
You are very right, it’s our responsibility to rehab in a healthy and safe manner…
Tracy, Maggie’s Mom
Gabby is an Aussie Cattle Shepherd mix and likewise very willing to overwork herself. As long as we stick to a regular walk schedule she stays pretty fit but give her a pack of dogs to chase and she can really wear herself out. Glad Kess is ok!
I am the same way about Mousie’s remaining hind leg. the jokes about doggie chariot or Segway are not funny anymore.
Doggies are troopers, they love us so much. hurts my heart knowing how much…
Try not to feel too guilty. We’ve all learned this the hard way. Eventually you figure out the right balance. Sometimes you just don’t win the battle, no matter how vigiliant you are. I know better & just let Isabelle run around for 40 minutes in 2ft of snow with a 4y/o Lab. After too much activity, some Traumeel or arnica can be very helpful.
Cynthia
You also might try cold packs instead of warm for at least the first 24h.
I debated between warm and cold packs and I went with warm packs since it didn’t seem to be caused by an acute injury. Seemed more like she was stiff and sore.
Glad Kess is OK! Thanks for the reminder for all tripawd pawrents that moderation is important when it comes to things like this.
I just read about Kess … glad she is better. Please know that every lesson we learn helps someone else. I need to use moderation with
Sulli and Kess is how I know this.