Wobblers......is there an alternative to surgery?

Sylvia's Story

#6 Update: June 8 1999

As you can see, Sylvia's muscle tone remained very good. This was very important in her recovery and one of the reasons that her activity was not restricted. At this point, you can see that her stability and strength in the back legs has returned fully.

Sylvia returned to agility tonight!!!! Yes, she surely did!!!!! And with STYLE, as is her custom in whatever she does!!!! I had taken her along to 4 trials this Spring in which Mo was entered and she, (of course) was not. The first three were fine. She was perfectly content to socialize and visit her 'fans' and schmooze treats from people. But, the last trial was different. I can only say that I sensed something different, that she wanted more than visiting, she wanted to be back in the ring. I felt this strongly

In the 2 weeks since then, she has returned to full strength in her play with Mo, she has not slipped on the hardwood floors at all and is generally as strong as I've ever seen her. I decided the time was right.

Tonight was Mo's agility night. He doesn't enjoy the heat, so I had decided that we would only work half the class until cooler weather, which left a perfect opportunity for Syl to make her return debut. She has 2 legs in Open agility, so this class is not as advanced as the one she left back in December, which made it perfect.

We came in at the second half and she was SO excited. It was a small jump sequence and dogs were having trouble as they had to work away from the handler. I sent her out.....jump, jump, jump, into a tunnel--perfect. You would never have known that physical instability had kept her out class for SIX MONTHS! I ran her over the low dog walk--this (and the teeter) have been intermittent problems for her. It was only last Fall that we had worked through the most recent problems. Tonight, she was up and over it--cautious, but not fearful. And she was having a ball!!!!

The next sequence took us over the jumps, through 2 tunnels and over the small teeter. She was fast, confident, and happy. As I put her lead back on, she grabbed it and tugged and barked at me for more. We stopped at that point and went outside to run through the weave poles--she was fast and happy!

We will continue to work a half class weekly from now until Fall and then get back into the full classes in time for the Fall trials and the Doberman National in Boston!

Christy Waehner
Atlanta, GA