Arthritis and the athletic dog

[spoteet]

Can a dog with mild arthritis continue to compete in agility and obedience? or would it just make them suffer more later in life?

Thanks!

[DNeff]

Riven was able to compete actively with Grade I DJD in his left elbow in agility and herding up until this point with absolutely no problems. He has been on GF II since he was diagnosed at 3 yrs.

Our rehab vet said that the joint is degrading further and that herding and agility were a no go from here on out. So he is retired from both at the age of almost 7. I retired him from agility and herding so that we could continue to do obedience, carting, and tracking before he started to have issues with lameness. I was able to compete regularly and actively with him with no lameness issues at all. The minute things started to degrade further I stopped. I am certainly not going to push it, and I was happy to do as much as we were able to do for as long as we did.

That's what I did, I'm not saying it was right or wrong but it worked for us and I am happy with what I did and what Riven was able to do, while staying pain free.

I would say that if you decide to do agility, you should consider regular supplements, running him in preferred agility (which is 4" lower), regular massage and chiropractic work to help ease and muscle or back problems that might occur if he is compensating, and regular check ups with a vet who specializes in competition/orthopedic issues to see how the joints are handling the stress.

Dawn
U-CD Cammcastle's Mystic Riven CDX EGC OAC OJC OAJ NA TT CGC
Osa Mistico De Riven CGC
Esmonds Opinicus v Nordike

[Judi W]

Front end lameness or rear also makes a difference as well as the severity. If the problem is in the front, too much repeated jumping is much harder because of the landings. You would do your training at lower heights, and then move it up just before trials.

I would not take a dog with arthritis to OTCH or UDX because of the large amount of jumping required. To a UD, yes, with the same as above, do your teaching at lower jump heigths and move up just before trialing. Make good use of supplements and don't hesitate to give a bit of anit-inflamatory starting a couple of days before trial.

[spoteet]

Thanks! I don't that Sajan DOES have arthritis, just looking at the possibilities. He could have a totally new injury for all I know without xrays.

[SABELLESMOM]

I would think it's pretty much the same as people. Jarring movements may bother more but I see no reason to stop altogether. Do STRETCHES!!

I've had 4 knee surgeries on the same knee. There is some arthritis there. The more I move the less pain I have. I do 4 miles easily on a walk with Sable. But it took a while to build up to it.

I was on arthritis meds and in pain every day. I began doing yoga and increase my daily walking. The more I walked and exercised, the less pain med I needed. So keep up the GLUCOSAMINE, but keep exercising.

I'm told the walking actually helps break down the calcium deposits that build up within the joint. I'm GOOD TO GO! (and I used to have trouble with stairs)

[fbkeays]

Misty has?/had grade 2 elbows (after chemo stopped bothering her ) any way I let her decide how much as too much. She is way too active to retire to the couch gracefully (she actually started to eat the couch ). So we modified her activities. She loves to cart so I stopped driving her. As time went on, I put less on the cart for her to pull. A few weeks ago we were in an ARC carting test in FEO. I only put 20 pounds of weight instead of the usual 40. She had a great time and it didn't tire her out. (she also has lymphoma).
We are doing herding and I watch her carefully for any signs of getting tired or sore. Her drive will make her do things past when she should quit. She loves to jump and we are doing utility. Her normal jump height is 24" but I do about 18"- 22" normally.
I let her do what she wants, I just make sure she doesn't over do it. I think a dog would much prefer to be active while they can, then be retired. Just stock up on the ascriptin and joint supplements.