New to forum and lame dog

[takeaflight]

Hi all, first I would to thank all the folks that made Walsall a great day, to-day.

I wonder if anyone can help we are thinking about adopting a 6 year old that has had 96 races and on his last Oct 2011 according to his race form he had a crash and finished lame. As of to-day he walks a little stiff but no holding a leg up or anything like that, it's just so he's laid down a little to long.

My question is, if he was retired because of lameness from racing, and bear in mind he had run 96 how serious an injury would this be from a race track vet and trainer point of view.

My wife and I both love the guy, but we have just lost our boy after 14 years and the last 18 months have been difficult because of leg joint injury and just at this moment I couldn't go through with another chap with major joint problems.

I hope this doesn't sound to callous, but at the moment its still raw from loosing our boy.

Thanks

[Deleted]

To be honest, I think your best bet is to talk to the people who have him now, explain your concerns and ask them what the vet has said. Any sort of lameness could be enough to retire a racer - where some may be willing to give a good dog time to recover, many won't and especially not a 6 year old when he's likely to be past his best.

If he's with the RGT I'm sure they'd rather tell you what they know honestly, than risk you taking him and possibly returning him if it was too much (even if you wouldn't do that, unless they know you personally they can't be sure you won't. I hope you understand what I mean, I'm not trying to offend you at all).

So many things can cause lameness it would be impossible to guess on a forum, especially when at the mo you have so little information. You do need the vet's advice.

Hope they're able to reassure you, and if not then hopefully you will find the right dog out there for you.

[takeaflight]

Thanks you are right, we will talk to them tomorrow.

Sometimes thinking to much is bad for you !

I am hoping it's the case that the trainer thinks the chap as done his bit and any slight sign enough to call it a day.

Thanks again

[Cath]

A lot of trainers are impatient, especially if a dog is nearing the end of its racing career, and will get rid of a dog rather than giving it time to heal. A lot of injuries would mean that a dog is no good for racing but will live a long and happy life as a pet.

Ask questions; a good trainer or rescue won't mind and will want you to make the right decision, both for you and the dog.

Good luck

[takeaflight]

Just a quick update, GREAT NEWS we spoke this morning and all concerned seemed to believe it was a minor injury.

Having meet quite a few people now involved with the re homing of Greys.

Super dogs and super people.

[just jackie]

Glad it's good news. Hopefully time and a more restful life for a while will heal any injury and laddo will be limp free very soon.

At 6 years of age he has more than earned his retirement sofa, and as has already been said the owner and trainer probably thought it wasn't worth nursing him back to track fitness at his age, which is good news for him if he is being allowed to retire.


Oh and we look forward to meeting him at the next Gap show.


Jackie
x

[Deleted]

Great news - bet you can't wait to get him on your sofa now.

[julies]

Great news welcome to Gap I use McTimoney chiropractors all the time to keep my dogs sound and healthy My current girl had finished lame on her last but one race then was rested for a month and run again and she finished 5th or 6th .. when I got her and took her to the chiropractor Wendy found Lucy's left shoulder had dropped plus other tweaks ... they run left so not surprising she was lame Anyway one treatment and it's never been a problem since and she's stayed sound so worth £20

Best wishes

Julie

[takeaflight]

Thanks all,

We will be at the next local event if poss, and as I type he's paw's up on his new bed.

A bigs thanks as to go to Ruth at Daybreak Solihull.

See you soon

[marianfl]

Ooh - who have you homed from Daybreaks? I check their dogs all the time, although we are full up here!