Sunday 22 February 2015

Quentin Update

Regular readers will know that guide dog puppy Quentin has been a regular visitor to the vet for a whole lot of x-rays and CT scans and has spent much time both limping and resting.  After several months, we now have a firm diagnosis...

This week he visited an orthopaedic surgeon, who has diagnosed Quentin with a grade 2 luxating patella in both back legs.  Basically, his kneecaps are dislocating themselves, which is causing him to raise one of his legs until the kneecap slips back into position when he extends his leg again.  He ends up walking on three legs for anything from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, sometimes several times a day.


So, what this means is:

  • Quentin will need two operations, about six weeks or so apart - one on each of his back legs.  The surgeon will create a deeper groove in the bone which will hold the kneecap in position for him.
  • He will - sadly - be withdrawn from the Guide Dogs training programme, mainly because of the time it will take for the operations and recovery, but also because he will be more prone to arthritis in his later years and guide dogs are required to walk mostly on hard surfaces.
  • His parents will be withdrawn as breeding stock, because luxating patella is a hereditary condition.
  • Guide Dogs will be paying for the operations and helping support his recovery within their training centre.  I'm really impressed with and touched by their level of commitment to the welfare of a pup who won't ever be a guide dog.
  • And - this part is the silver lining in the cloud - we have decided to keep him as a pet.  I'm very happy about that part!


I'm really quite sad that he won't be a guide dog, because he is showing signs of being a fabulous guide!  He knows exactly when the road is safe to cross - he often starts to make a move before I tell him to.  He has safely guided me around parked cars, too.  Having a mind of his own means he does sometimes try and make a decision based on where he wants to go (grassy areas are definitely desirable!) rather than where I want to go!

But my sadness at him not being a guide dog is balanced with the knowledge that I can continue to enjoy his company and watch him develop into a happy pet dog.

His first operation is on 5th March.  He'll go in the day before, and Guide Dogs will pick him up afterwards so he can benefit from recuperating where (among other things) they'll walk him on an underwater treadmill to help rebuild his muscles and joints!  I'm guessing he might have to wear one of these again for a while...


Fortunately, he didn't mind it at all last time, although he took chunks out of it from walking (and running) into walls with it on!

I'm linking up to Handmade Monday in its new home today.  I apologise to all the Handmade Mondayers for the distinct lack of handmade in this post!  I know there are some of you who have been waiting to hear about Quentin, so hopefully you will forgive me!

26 comments:

Martha said...

oh bless this little fella
hope the ops will be successful and painless as possible for him
its so nice you are going to keep him as a pet, surely he will be happy about it.

Frugally challenged said...

Bless him! I was hoping we would get an update. Your posts about him were favourites of mine and I'm so glad that he can be your pet even though he can't be a guide dog.

Free Spirit Designs said...

So good to hear how the lovely Quentin is getting on, i'm glad that a plan of action is in place for him now, and its such lovely news that he will be staying with you and your family, i guess that's where he belongs :)

Perhaps his guide dog training will come in useful in some other way in his life, you never know what's around he corner...! xx

Lucy Blossom said...

oh bless him, its sad that he won't be a guide dog but great that you can keep him with you. It's amazing how much the guide dog association is prepared to look after him too.

Suze Bain said...

Aww, not good to hear that he has a couple of operations to endure but lovely that he is going to stay with you. I hope he will be a faithful companion for many years to come. X

Josie said...

What a bitter sweet post, so sorry to hear about his operation but delighted to know he will be a permanent and much loved member of your family x

Fiddly Fingers said...

So good to hear you have decided to keep Quentin as a pet and 'hats off' to Guide Dogs for looking after him. I'm sure he will bring you much joy and happiness for many years to come and I hope he will make a full recovery :)

Gail said...

Fingers crossed his ops go well - I'm so pleased you are going to keep him , it would have been very difficult to let him go.

vicky myers said...

How great you have a firm diagnosis and treatment plan:) sad he is not going to be a guide dig, but pleased to hear you are going to keep him - feels right:)

PoppyK said...

I'm sorry to hear of Quentin's health and sorry for the Guide Dogs......but he was obviously destined to be your dog xxx

Highland Monkey's said...

Quentin is such a lovely dog, you will have lots of happy years ahead together. Sorry he has this leg problem tho and no longer able to be a guide dog.

Unknown said...

Quentin is so lucky to have such a lovely human like you! x

Nikki said...

Aww poor Quentin. Hope operations go well abd so pleased you have decided to give him a furever home.

sllvncookie@aol.com said...

I'm new here just reading about your dog.Bless his heart & yours too for keeping such beautiful dog.They like one kids all most you can't abandonned him in his sickness Thank You I'm dog lover from years & years opps better watch how I keep saying for years,lol Good luck & hope keep us posted how he's doing..Thank's

Lyn said...

Lucky Quentin...lucky you. It was meant to be!

Sum of their Stories said...

Oh, bless his little heart! At least you know what the problem is and what can be done to help him.
It's lovely to have an update, thanks.

Ginx Craft said...

Well I guess that that really is a silver lining that you will get to keep him forever. The thought of having to give him up must have been really hard, especially after all you have been through. Wishing him luck for the op.

Patchwork Fairy said...

Ah it's sad but happy too as you and Quentin won't have to be parted now which would have been sad for both of you. Hope he is ok - he goes to hospital same day as me so I will be thinking of him!, I have bad leg too with this sciatica!

Auntie Shan said...

Thanks for the Update! I think it's safe to say that EVERYONE who reads your blog has pretty much "adopted" Quentin in spirit! And to be honest, what's going on probably is for the best as I really couldn't see you easily parting with him had he been "healthy"! I also doubt that he would have taken well to being separated from you!
Anyway, good to hear that you won't be stuck with the medical bills! Although, I guess you'll have to cover the food costs for your not so little "pony"..? ;-D
GOOD LUCK to you both and give him big *HUG* for all of us!
:-D xx

Auntiepatch said...

Poor little guy but good news for you! He has a lot of people who love and care for him so he's very lucky. And you are lucky to be able to keep him. Blessings on all of you!

Carolee Crafts said...

Oh poor Quentin but at least he will have a happy home at the end of it all. Give him a big hug from me as dogs as such an important part of our lives

Myth Illogical said...

Sorry that Quentin has to go through the wars and that he won't be a guide dog, but it's lovely that he gets to stay with you!

JENNY said...

Such sad yet lovely news. Sounds like the guide dog people are really taking care of him. What a wonderful organisation!! Xx

JENNY said...

Such sad yet lovely news. Sounds like the guide dog people are really taking care of him. What a wonderful organisation!! Xx

Lilly's Mom said...

It is so nice to hear from you and get an update on Quentin. Although it's bittersweet, you are both lucky in that Quentin will have a forever home and you will have a loving dog to be by your side. I wish him a speedy recovery with his upcoming surgeries.

Anonymous said...

Hi Wendy, just catching up with your blog after a while. So sorry to hear Quentin can't be a guide dog but happy for you and your family. I think it must be very hard to part company and happily you won't have to! Nice to see your news & your lovely blog again! x