Sad News

Yogi and Loki 

We've had some very upsetting news this morning. On the vets advice Loki's brother Yogi was given sleep yesterday. Unbeknown to us he had been having some problems for about a month, but he took a turn for the worst yesterday and wasn’t able to get up at all. After doing tests the vet came to the conclusion that it was neurological. It all sounds a little familiar and with some sketchy information that a sister is also suffering, and their mother as well I am a little scared for Loki's future. 

Ian is very upset, of course we understand that, but none of us have a crystal ball. He wouldn't have mated Tasha if he thought for one minute there could have been issues, and of course I would not have allowed Nico to be used. But it is important to remember that Tasha and Nico are health tested, this is not something anyone could predict ... nature can be cruel and we still don't know if there is a genetic connection. 

I've messaged Yogi's owner my heartfelt sympathy and asked that when she has time and when she's feeling up to it maybe she could give me some details of her heartbreaking experience - for me now knowledge is paramount. Yes Loki has spondylosis, we've seen the Xray, but the absence of pain has always been a little confusing, hence the likelihood of FCE. But that is not a foregone conclusion. An MRI would be needed to confirm the diagnosis, as the treatment was the same then it was felt that putting him through further upset was not necessary. 

Listed among the common neurological disorders in dogs are Vestibular disease. (This is very common in old dogs -You may recall Tali had that and recovered quickly. A dog's vestibular system helps maintain balance and coordination of head and eye movements).Spinal disease, Wobbler Syndrome, and intervertebral disc degeneration and herniation. Before coming to any further conclusions I'll talk to Yogi's owner, my vet and Gillian at Paws 4 Fitness .. maybe a few more snippets of information may help us? 

I have to be honest I don't seen any further improvement in Loki, I don't feel any of the treatment has helped him. Initially there was a quick, drastic improvement but since then nothing really. Someday's are better than other but generally his mobility is poor. Don't get me wrong he gets around Ok, goes around the fields, and even short walks through the gate, but I doubt he'll ever be the same again. On a bad day his front feet knuckle and he falls over. Generally he drags his feet, or lifts them ridiculously high, he sways as he walks and doesn't seem to know where his feet are. If he takes his time he manages quite well, but when he tries to rush he looks awful and usually falls. Sometimes he reminds me of a cat with a neurological disorder, though he doesn't have the head tilt! Straight lines are easy. but turning is impossible unless he has a large area to manoeuvre. Getting him into the van is always a two-man job, it would be impossible for one person. If we didn't live here and have the field, or somewhere with a flat large garden then I doubt he or we would manage, to be honest as it is it would be unkind to try.

Loki is 7 next week, it's no age is it? I honestly sit here and cry wondering if he'll see 8 years old. Steve had said that he thought maybe it would take till Winter for the damaged nerve to heal ...I can only hope he's right and that Loki has a good quality future ahead of him.   

Just for peace of mind if you have a Blanik puppy, Loki's bitch line is nowhere in Blanik breeding. It is mainly working line and Blanik bitches are show line bred, there are no common ancestors in Loki's bitch line and the Blanik bitch line.