Dylan booked into the vet's

Dylan has given me some headaches over the last three months or so. As I have described, he has become more reactive on walks, which I have put down to two bad experiences with other dogs.

Just recently, I have also just had a feeling with him not being quite right, though I can't put my finger on it... sometimes he is more lively than I would expect him to be (as in not settling) and other times he seems deep in thoughts as if slightly uncomfortable about something.
The other day, he had a quick go (bark) at Cornel when Cornel rested his foot on Dylan lying on the floor. Fine, he could have caught him and hurt him by accident, but it still seemed weird (Cornel wasn't rough or clumsy in any way).

But what really worries me now is that Dylan is drinking water from the bowl. For the last six years, Dylan has not really been drinking any water. The only time I have ever seen him drink water from a bowl was when he was really hot after a summer's walk or at training class. His urine was in fact so concentrated, that I started adding lots of water to his dry food which I have done for years now. This way I knew he would get enough liquid.
But over the last two weeks or so, I noticed Dylan drinking more and more often from the bowl... and fairly frequently throughout the day. (And hence going to toilet more often too).

So, I have booked him in next Tuesday to come along when Jesse needs to have his stitches out anyway. I am going to try to get a urine sample too to I guess test for diabetes... and will ask Mark to do a blood test for kidney function etc.

I hope it is nothing serious! Dylan is almost 7 now, so not a youngster anymore! And I am worried.

Nice walk

I have started to muzzle Dylan and Flash when I take them out during the day in the park when I expect dogs I don't know (mornings are fine as I know the dogs). This seems to have improved things greatly, probably because I am a lot calmer and confident, because I know that nothing can happen.

There was one incident on Friday when Dylan went up to a dog (collie), sniffed it as usual, then had a quick pop and just walked off... Not sure what that was about, but it felt like he was just telling the dog off "just in case"... Of course, this is not acceptable, so I am working on this.

Today's walk was great. Dylan responded great, stayed with me when approaching other dogs and was generally calm and relaxed.

I have started mixing a new food into their old one. The new food is called Orijen and they love it. It also seeems to give them a bit more energy. I am thinking of moving them over from the CSJ as Dylan has a little bit of dandruff...

Stitches out and all is well

I totally forgot to update this. On Friday, 8th February, I took the stitches out and all was well. It has healed nicely and the scar can't even be seen.

From 11th to 14th February, we were at college. Dylan, Flash and Jesse came with us and they were all great. They enjoyed staying in the Travelodge (which was the first time as we had always used Arras Farmhouse up to now...). Dylan and Flash were particularly happy about seeing all the wild bunnies running around the service station when we went out for toiletting at night. It was amazing.

Dylan is still a bit unpredictable on walks. Just on Sunday, he sniffed a dog we met (whilst I was holding on to his harness without any pressure), seemed fine, then suddenly snapped without me being able to pick up on a warning... Also, Dylan seems to be just a touch too quiet and still too reactive. In fact, I have started muzzling both Dylan and Flash now when we walk at times when I expect a lot of dogs around (e.g. Sundays). This gives me piece of mind and I can study Dylan's behaviour a bit more without having to worry about him. But I don't like the fact that he is still very reactive, particularly also on lead - which isn't great fun as he sets the other two off too!

This week-end, I am having off (as Jesse is going to be neutered), so I will do some 1-2-1's with the doglets, in particular with Dylan!

If things don't improve fairly soon or if I continue to feel that something is wrong with him, I will have a full vet check up done on him... He is going to be 7 this summer, so not a youngster anymore (though you would never know when you watch him on walks or when at home playing or training) so things could start going wrong in his body...

Bandage off

On Sunday, I took Dylan's bandage off to check the wound. It all looks great and is healing nicely. I put a nice bright orange bandage back on.

On Sunday, I also took Dylan out for a walk for the first time since Wednesday. He stayed on the lead of course, but kept bouncing when the other two played with the dogs.

As we are at college next week, this actually works out quite well as he needs to stay on lead there anyway. By the time we get back, he should be fine and he should be able to go off lead again.

Dylan with his shoe on when going out for walks





And with his new bright orange bandage

Dylan much better

Dylan is doing much better and does not seem to be in any discomfort anymore.

I didn't take any of the dogs out this morning as I didn't want Dylan to feel so disappointed like he did yesterday. So I will probably take him out for the first time on Sunday morning, but tomorrow afternoon I will take Flash and Jesse out on their own.

Tomorrow I will also take the bandage off as advised by the vet to check that all is fine with the wound/stitches.