Venterinary Contacts

Walter R. West
Diane Laviola
Chilhowee Veterinary Clinic
821 Montvale Rd, Maryville, TN 37803
(865) 977-6958

Dr. Lee Ann Blackford
ACVS Veterinary Surgery Surgeon
Blackford Veterinary Surgery Referral
1505 Bob Kirby Road
Knoxville, TN 37931-4604
(866) 693-9204
blackfordvet@bellsouth.net

Dr. Donna M. Raditic
UT Integrative Medicine Service
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Tennessee
2407 River Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
(865) 755 8222 Fax: (865) 974 5554
draditic@utk.edu

Get Back to Work (Play!)

I started getting out my agility equipment this week.  I had it in the garage during Nina's recuperation. 

• Table - I built a table in March.  This has been one obstacle she really likes.
  
• Teeter:  She has no teeter fear.  My problem is she gets in a hurry and want to jump off before it hits the ground.  Our practice teeter is full height.
• Jumps -  I have her doing some jumping 8" to get her back in shape.  I have several exercises to help me with my handling.  Making sure I know how to lead her past hurdles and go where I want her to.  I need to get some more jump cups and bars so I can make double & triples.  Later I want to build a broad jump and a panel jump.
  
• Wings - I've made a couple of lattice wings.  It is more for my practice than hers.
• Tunnel - one of Nina's favorites.  I have a nice 12ft tunnel and a lightweight collapsed tunnel (with chute).
  
• Walk - our practice walk is only about 3 ft high, but she has never had any issues at full height
• A-frame - don't have one in yard - She's done OK at Ace's place
• Weaves - she completed a four weave section first try yesterday.  First she's done since Feb.  I think she'll be back to speed in no time.
• Tire - I have a dinky hula hoop.  I've got all supplies to build a good one - maybe I'll start next week.

Can't wait to get back into full practice!

Rubberized Surfaces

Rubberized surfaces offer a safe climbing surface for dogs' claws to grip, without the loud 'scrabbling' of a sand-treated contact surface. It's becoming increasingly common at trials as clubs resurface their contacts for safety and speed. Rubber surfaces are taking contacts by storm!

Should you do it? We suggest you use rubber surfaces if you are serious about competing and concerned your dog might encounter rubber surfaces at trials, or concerned with your dogs' safety in performance. If you are still unsure, you can coat half your equipment (half the a-frame, half the dogwalk, teeter, etc) and surface the other half later if you wish with ContactACoat.

We are proud to offer Contact-A-Coat kits! These kits include everything you need to resurface your used or new equipment. You will receive colored rubber pellets, resin and detailed application instructions. The color-infused rubber chips will adhere to any surface, and there is no need to repaint. Contact-A-Coat will retain its superior grip in any conditions, for even the fastest dogs! We provide blue and yellow chips for A-frames, dogwalks, and teeters, and yellow for the Table. 


http://www.affordableagility.com/contactacoat.html

Agility - Definition

A concise definition of the sport.

AGILITY: It’s a dog sport where the handler guides the dog off-leashed into an obstacle course under a specific order and time given by a judge. To win this competition you have to run with your dog in the less time and with the less or none faults.

Menina's Recovery Timeline

Feb  ?    

Injured right rear leg

Feb 15  

Dr. Laviola - Chilhowee Veterinary Clinic - Xray: No broken bones, very inflamed right rear hock, anti-inflammatory and restricted activity.

Feb 25   
Dr. West  - Chilhowee Veterinary Clinic - Recheck - felt like tendon was moving on heel (tuber calsis) bone.  Referred to orthopedic specialist.

Mar 2  
Dr. Blackford - Blackford Surgical Referral - Repaired luxated superior digital flexor

Mar 3  
Restricted Activity - Walk on leash only to potty.  Absolutely no running, jumping, or stairs!

Mar 16  
Removed Cast - Start 3 Week Crate Restriction.  Walk on leash only to potty.  Absolutely no running, jumping, or stairs!

April 6  
Start 1 Month Walking and Swimming - No running or jumping.  Start walking and swimming. As long as she is not sore, continue to increase the activity. Also do range of motion exercises on the hock to help her tissue to heal in the right orientation.

May 5  
Start Month 3 Restriction - Try some running. Don't start agility yet.  Must avoid weaving and jumping until the 3-month restriction is over.

Jun 6     

One Month Re-Introduce Agility Training. Gradually return to agility activities.  Make sure you gradually re-introduce jumping and weaving.  The tissue should be adequately healed so she shouldn't  re-injure herself. Dr. Blackford has never had a re-injury for this problem, but she has never repaired this problem in an agility dog.  The scar tissue (when adequately healed) should be stronger than the normal tissue.  There have been reported cases of Shelties breaking down in the other leg. Hopefully that won't be a problem for Nina.

Jul 1  
Ready for Agility Competition - Assuming all goes according to plan.  Wish us well!

Temporary Height Card

I was able to get Jane Mohr to measure Menina for her temporary height card.  She measured 15 7/8 inches.  This puts her smack dab in the middle of the 16" jump height range.  She will have to be remeasured at 2 yrs (after December 10).

Wish List - Conmplete

• Crate cover and bumpers - to make hanging out at trials more comfortable. - Got this

• A wheeled cart to carry items from vehicle to show: crate, chair, ice chest (drinks and food), shade tent - got all this

• Backyard fence - Got this - finally - It's beautiful!

• Wire pen to allow freedom to walk about outside camper.  Got this

• Taller wire crate for Menina - She has grown so tall that she can't stand up straight in here 19" tall one. Borrowed from Smiths for house purchased slightly smaller one for car.
  
• Van or truck to carry things easier for trials. - Got this

Home Again

We arrived home yesterday after a long weekend at Harriman.  I really enjoyed the agility trial.  It was fun to watch the dogs and handlers, good to learn more about the agility sport, interesting to meet new dog folks, and helpful to get to know fellow TVKC club members.  It broke my heart to have to keep Menina in her crate the whole weekend.  I have several questions yet on her recovery.  Here is the email I sent to her surgeon today.

• Surgery: March, 2, 2010, Dr. Blackford repaired luxated superior digital flexor

• Recovery: 
  
  1. Cast removed 3/16/2010.
  2. Activity still restricted to crate and short leash for potty.  Using ace to keep her calmer.  Limited activity for 3 more weeks after cast removal.
  3. Using prescribed gentle forward and backward movement to leg for physical therapy several times daily.
  4. Appears to be healing a little every day.  Affected leg appears a little stiff when she walks - range of motion is not yet equal to left leg.  Infrequently, but sometimes, I do see her limp (just a single step) if she walks quickly outside.
  5. Per your instruction, I plan to gradually introduce leash walks after our three week crate restriction. Start 4/6/2010
  
  HERE ARE MY QUESTIONS: 
  
• Would swimming be beneficial?  If so when, how much?
  
• At what point can start a gradual I return to agility training?  Jumping? Weaving? Teeter? A-Frame?  Walk?  Tunnels?
  
• Registration for May and June competition are opening NOW.  When can I anticipate being able to compete? 
  
• Should I get you to look at her again for evaluation prior to training or competing??????  I so want to get back "normal" but I must make sure that we give her the best chance for complete recovery.  Your guidance is appreciated.

TVKC - Harriman

Today is the first day of the Tennessee Valley Kennel Club Agility Trial.  Unfortunately, we will not be competing since Menina is recovering from her surgery.  She has another three weeks of "cage rest".  I volunteered to help with the trial, so we packed up the camper and arrived last night.  It will interesting to learn more about agility, trials, and the whole traveling with the dog thing.

The Patient is resting well.