Ukdude27

Hi, I have tried researching to the best of my degree but recently I attended an appointment at my local vets for Max's Booster. The vet I saw said they had updated their vaccinations and that Max would have to come back in four weeks. Max has always been given lepto 2 vaccine but now they have informed me starting from next year they will only be stocking the lepto 4 vaccine. Max is due to go back in 10 days for the remainder of the injection. I am getting a puppy and bringing it home in may. The owner of the mother said not to give the lepto 4 vaccine as the has been a number of fatalities, but normally Andale vets have always been great. Did not help at the top of this page that showed all the dogs who have had a fatal reaction had a picture of a collie who had passed soon after receiving the lepto 4 vaccine. I just need help and advise. Thanks in advance

GentleLake, In my original post I was asking for ideas about a suitable breed of dog to get along with Max. It was always going to be a puppy for the reasons state in my previous post. So although I can see why the forum members suggested a slightly older rescue... that was never a consideration from my stand point. Rescues are great as Jack was one but like I said he was allowed to be the only dog in the house for 4 years before we got Max. If it was the same scenario then I would consider a rescue. If a breed of dog had of been pointed out that would get along famously with a border collie and I could source a quality litter of puppies then I would of considered looking into that breed some more. That was the point of me asking. Thanks for your good karma sending my family and our four legged companions way. Mark C

Hi just an update, Jack was a rescue but he was the only dog in the family for years so he could get comfortable before we introduced Max a bouncing border collie puppy. I appreciate the advice but I am not considering a rescue this time purely for the reasons im gonna mention. Max was bit as a puppy so is apprehensive with other dogs he does not know. He has however with the right dogs made 6 or 7 friends and gets along well with them and has fun playing with them. Max however adores puppies and gets along with them famously, it doesn't take him long to warm up to them and become buddies. This will be my partners companion and it has to be a fit for him as well as getting along with Max. I think getting a working type Labrador puppy is the right move. I know you can get two types of Labradors e.g. The more popular seen the tank built one who is more boisterous in its play and the latter the working type who is more slender, sensitive and easier to train. The latter is the one I am opting for. I have sourced a very high quality litter, KC Registered, Both mum and dad have excellent temperaments. Mother is 6 weeks away from giving birth and then it will be another 9 weeks before the puppy can come home, so giving us time to process the loss of Jack. I am going to see Mum this Friday and ask the breeder any questions my partner or I have. At 4 weeks the puppies will start to show their personalities and we will be visiting then as well. Once again, thanks for the advice. Mark C

Hi, Sadly last Thursday we had to put my partners dog Jack to sleep. He got diagnosed last October with Advance staged congestive heart failure. My collie and Jack where very close. Eventually my partner will be looking to get another four legged companion. I do not think my partner is looking to get a Border Collie. Max my Collie is 7 and has always been alpha out of him and Jack and Jack just wanted to laze around and chill I am hoping you can advise me on a breed / breeds of dogs that would have a temperament that would get along well with a Border Collies. Look Forward to any and all replies. Kind Regards, Mark C

Hi, As the title suggests my dog had spinal surgery 6 / 7 months ago and has made a good recovery. Going forward though I would like some advice as I am a worrier. The procedure he had was called hemilaminectomy. Recently I contacted the veterinary specialists that carry out his hydrotherapy as over the Christmas period Max broke 3 rules given to me in regards to him in the space of 24 hours. He Jumped up on the bed, Ran whilst of lead and went upstairs. Max's Hydro-therapist wasn't available and I was advised to contact the place where Max had the surgical procedure. I did so and got a call back from the gentleman who carried out the procedure, the advice he gave me was contradictory to what the physiotherapist and hyrdo-therapist advised. Obviously Lorenzo is a Neuro Surgeon so I should take his view on the matter. Lorenzo told me that with it being 6 months since he last saw Max that I could let him off lead and that if he did run not to panic and that I could return max to his normal schedule. Today I let max off lead to meet another collie and it went well until the other owner threw a toy for his dog and Max ran after it at full speed and did that twice and was running in a circle to stop me from putting him back on lead. Eventually I managed to get him back on lead. Based on the advise Lorenzo gave me, do you think Max will be okay. Obviously I do not intend for this to be the norm and will try to avoid a situation like this in the future. It is hard as a rule I do not throw toys for max to fetch now. The diagnosis for max was Degenerative Disc Disease Any replies/advice would be appreciated. Kind Regards, Mark C

hi last attempt at uploading a photo lol

Here is a pic of Max attached After posting the photo isn't showing the photo

Hi, Thanks for your reply. So Max's Physiotherapist/Hydra therapist has gone on leave as is expecting her Baby anytime now (Laura) She is a fantastic and lovely Scottish lady with a great sense of humor. I saw Laura's colleague last time who is lovely, though some of her advice contradicted what Laura had said on previous visits. So Laura was happy for me to have Max 80% on lead and 20% off lead on walks. Most of the time I only let him off lead for a few minutes in a quiet and remote place so he can sniff and explore. Max knows calm/close and slow down commands to make sure he is always in a controlled manner. Laura's colleague though advised No off lead and not to let him have any loose lead and to have him at my side and walk slowly. I took the advice but im finding it hard as walking as slow as she recommended means Max dosn't get to see as many sights with in his designated walk allowance. When I say slow I mean any slower and I would be standing still and I can see it is frustrating Max. Then no off lead not even for a few mins using commands that keeps max in a control manner. Im all for being careful and not risking anything but Im also thinking about Max's quality of life. I mean Laura always said she couldn't get over Max's recovery and that is with my constant supervision and caring for him and thanks for the excellent surgeons and of course Laura. Max's recovery has been without the paramaters of > walking as slow as to near standstill and absolutely no off lead time even in a control manner. Max is 5 months post op now, as I am typing this im thinking am I wrong but then Max has got to this stage with Lauras advice which was slightly different so urgh I dont know im just woffling now. Any advice or help would be great. Mark

Hi, I am hoping I get some replies to this. So Max is going on a 20 minute walk earlier in the day and a 10 minute walk of the evening. Thankfully he seems happy with that. I have another dog Jack who is a border collie / whippet. He is 10 and has never had any issues and is still very fast when on a hyper. Max just saw Jack playing with a member of my family and was crying as he wanted to play. My question is obviously he needs to not run too fast and over do it and all legs have to stay on the ground. So how do I play with Max and yet not risk injury? I think I find myself getting fustrated for him. Really would appreciate advice Thanks, Mark

Hi thanks for the replies. He is at physio therapy / hydra therapy tommorow. I will be letting Laura know what my last reply entailed. He does seem absolutely fine. However I completley agree it is not worth the risk and I am trying my up most best to make sure his amazing recovery continues. Not to be big headed but I am constantly with Max day in and day out which I think is why he is recovering so well. The physiotherapist "Laura" said that I have done amazing with him. The are a lot of people at home and I kind of think that plays a part in the mishaps. I do have a massive pen for him which I have rearranged an area of the house to put it. I will have to sit down and rethink strategy/tactic going forward. The fact that any mishaps have happened shows that the strategy on his recovery needs to be revisited. Side note: Laura his physiotherapist agrees with a commenter on here... A veterinary technician of 40 years said he has never heard of a border collie suffering from IVDD and if he had to guess thinks Max has done something crazy and acrobatic which has caused his slip disc. I am really hoping this is the case and that after his 3 - 6 month recovery period as long as I don't let him go full pelt and be on the go all the time. E.g. Two walks a day on lead for 80% of it and some gentle of lead for 20 % of the walk and no going up stairs or jumping on furniture as a rule... That Max will not have a relapse in future. "Fingers crossed"

Hi, I have not posted in here in a while. So Max is doing really well, has been giving the all clear for two 10 - 15 minute walks per day. My sister said he is almost walking that well that you would not know anything had happened. If I had to point one thing out his left leg is stronger than his right but I feel he is improving on both with his physio and hydra therapy. I am hoping I can get some advice though. Max is feeling that much better that he thinks he is fine. When I got him home I had certain rules given to me. He isn't allowed to climb stairs, jump on furniture etc. He has gone upstairs once, got 3/4 of way up the stairs another time and Jumped on the bed twice. I am trying sooo hard to make sure he doesn't do anything to cause any harm to himself but he is ironically so quick. If I could just communicate with him and have him understand. I feel like an awful owner because these things have happened. I mean he seems absolutely fine but I am just terrified if it happens again that the will come a time where Max wont be

Hi, haven't checked this forum for a while as ive been very busy. Just thought I would check in and give a another quick update. Max has had two hydrotherapy sessions over the last two weeks and each time the Physio has seen him she has been astounded at Max's recovery. This is week 4 and I was so chuffed as she gave me the all clear to give max a 5 min on lead walk. I know its only 5 minutes but to Max having been what he has been through and not being outside the hosue apart from the backgarden... I know it would mean the world to him I just got back from taking him for his first walk since the start of this ordeal and you would think ive given him the world. Im absolutely made up with him, I know I have been with him all the way and given him the best treatment at home and with the professionals but Max is an amazing companion. At week 3 he was walking mis corodinated with no assistance and from what I was told most dogs only start that at week 4 even in a good recovery. Anyhow I will keep you all posted on his progress

Hi, Just wanted to give an update on how Max is doing. So after getting him back home the first few days where rough. Mainly just because I felt like I didn't know what I was doing. Soon got to grips with it, carried out his physio 3 times a day and spoiled him. More importantly got into a routine. It has only been two weeks that I have had him back. He has seen a professional physio which came up with a new plan for Max and showed me thoroughly what to do and poor Laura XD I asked her 1001 questions. Max has started using his left leg properly and has started trying to use his right leg which he is getting better at doing. Considering it has been only two weeks I am more than happy with this, just hope he keeps improving. Will keep you updated when I get any spare time.

Thanks everyone for your kind words and replies. I do know from reading on here that other Border Collies have suffered from the same illness. Max has regain somewhat control over his bladder and his left leg is working to an extent, I only got him back home last Wednesday so I feel positive over that. He attends Physio tomorrow I will let you all know how he goes on. Best Regards, Mark C

Hi, First time positing here. I registered so I can ask for advice or information. Sadly Max my Border Collie and best friend was diagnosed with intervertebral disc disease and Surgery was required and performed. I got him home last Wednesday. I have got him a dog playpen, a great bed for dogs recovering from such surgery and it is a case of physio and playpen rest. I have been given instructions on physio from the surgeons and Max is due to see a physiotherapist on Tuesday to receive physio/hydrotherapy. I cant find any information on the internet where Border Collies and this disease is concerned apart from one unfortunate owner who posted here back in 2008. Is it common for Border Collies to suffer from this degenerative disease? If so is it common for them to be so young? Max is 6 years and 4 months old. Is it for definite that he has a degenerative disease because one of his discs ruptured? Could it be that he was too extreme in his exercise? As much Border Collies are always on the go. Supposedly genetics have a role to play, but his dad and mum was very healthy and when I picked him up as a puppy his Granddad (19 years old was still around) Have I done anything wrong to cause this? I have to remain positive so I am going to put it like this "when I have him back one his 4 limbs moving around how do I make sure he has an enjoyable life whilst reducing risks to his back?" Has anyone else been through this on these forums apart from that unfortunate owner back in 2008 and if so has those people got any Wisdom, Advice and kind words for me? Best Regards, Mark Cosgrove