The Trials of Trilby by his owner Yvonne Marsden

Trilby is afflicted with arthritis, and whilst not rare in an old dog, it is very rare in such a young one and it makes life difficult for both him and Yvonne. This is his story, told in Yvonne's e-mails to me. Start at the bottom of the page and work up.

2 July 2009

I trust all is well with you. Last week Trilby had another MIR scan as it was thought he may have the dreaded SM (I can’t spell it I’m afraid). He had all the classic symptoms – crying out for no apparent reason and scratching himself – both on his paws and body – but although the vets could observe that he may have the VERY early stages he is OK at the moment. He does have arthritis throughout his little body and the vets have now seen arthritis in his neck, shoulders and elbow in his front right leg so he no longer wears a collar for his lead to be attached to but he now wears a harness instead – he is not impressed! He has little strength in his back legs; as you know he has had cruiciate surgery on both back legs. The constant chewing of his feet may be nothing more than habit.
 
So far his treatment has cost Pet Plan more than £8,000 and I am so glad I took the life time cover when I bought him as I could not have afforded the treatment he has received. He remains a happy dog; and he enjoys his morning walks and paddles in the stream alongside the fields where we stroll. He is not enjoying the present hot temperatures so I am getting up early to take the dogs out soon after 6.30 am – the afternoon walks I take along with Fudge as Trilby prefers to stay at home to sleep on the wooden floors in the cool of the house – my doors to the garden are always open so he can come and go as and when he wants.

23 March 2008
Trilby is being assessed on Wednesday to become a PAT dog; I know he will do well and enjoy having a “job” to do; he is such a laid back and gentle animal and loves a fuss being made of him; he is very popular around the village I live in. Unfortunately, he had a bit of a blip a week ago; I think he tried to jump on a chair and he cried out and then couldn’t put his foot to the ground. The vet seems to think he has strained the leg he had surgery on and gave him some pain killers; within 48 hours he was almost back to normal, however, he is still very sore. His legs are very fragile and I take great care to make sure he doesn’t over exert himself. He is now back to chasing the hares across the fields when he feeling good and his quality of life is excellent. He loves his new brother and enjoys being spoilt.
 
We have deep snow here today; something we haven’t seen for several years as Essex is the driest county in the UK, the dogs enjoyed playing out in it and walking about it in on our early morning walk.

A NEW ROLE FOR TRILBY - PETS AS THERAPY (PAT) DOG

From Yvonne, 9 May 2008:
Hello Cherrill,
Just to let you know that Trilby and I are now officially PAT volunteers; it’s taken about seven weeks for the application to be processed, and this was after Trilby was successfully assessed and my references were cleared!
 
Trilby is still having problems with his legs; he lost the use of a hind leg last week, however, he recovered in a couple of hours. He gets bouts of real soreness; like today when he is obviously uncomfortable. I have a supply of Prevecox to give him when he is in pain although I only give him a half a tablet when he very sore. He has got to the stage where even a small step can sometimes cause him difficulties. I am reluctant to take him back to the vets as, at the moment, we are coping very well and I know if I take him back they may start doing further investigations and we spent the best part of six months doing just that last year. He deserves some time when he is just being a “normal” dog. We all go out for walks twice a day – sometimes just once a day for Trilby if he is not good, it’s gentle exercise for me and Trilby whereas Fudge runs about the fields like a hooligan.
 
It’s something Trilby and I have both learnt to live with; he has a wonderful life as he is very loved by everyone who knows him – I am known as Yvonne Trilby in the village! He loves having Fudge around, the puppy seems to know when Trilby needs to be left on his own and not bothered.
 
I promise you that if Trilby really needs the vet he will be taken immediately but in the meantime we will continue to have a ball. I have lifetime cover for him through Pet Plan so his illness is covered forever; it’s expensive but well worth the investment. The last total I added up was they have paid out nearly £5,000 on him!

Hello Cherrill,
I took Lucky, the cat, to the vets this morning - for his routine steroid injection for asthma. I decided to take Trilby along too as he has been scratching his tummy a lot and I thought I should sort it out. There is nothing in particular wrong but the vet has discharged his anal glands, they were full, and Trilby has been given a short course of anti biotics as he had taken out quite a lot of hair from continually scratching from underneath him. He was also weighed, the vet does this whenever I take an animal in, and he is now 6.4 kg - he was 4.5 kg on his first visit - so I have no more worries about his eating regime! I have now given him some Frontline, just in case fleas may be a problem, however, the vet could see no sign of fleas on him.

I fell in the garage last week and I have a broken toe - I can't believe how such a small break could be so painful. I can't bear any pressure on my foot from shoes so I am wearing a slipper - Trilby's walks are curtailed although he is getting plenty of time in the garden with me throwing a ball for him to retrieve and bring back - he is excellent at this. He has access to the garden all day and he likes to play outside.
Yvonne

19 January 2006
Hello Cherrill,
I give Trilby two scrambled eggs and they last him until lunch time therefore he doesn't have anything extra at mid morning - I don't think I told you that he now retrieves anything I throw for him and returns it to me - what a star! I am going to be careful to follow your guide lines regarding his walks - 30 minutes, chasing a ball in the garden, seems to be fine for him at the moment although the lawn now resembles the Somme!
Are all the new owners as besotted as me?
Yvonne

13 January 2006
Trilby and I went to the first puppy class last night. It was fairly boring because I have such an intelligent dog most of the training was concerning things he already does! We will go again next week and see how things go then, at least it gives him another chance to socialise with other dogs.
House training/wearing a collar and lead/returning to call. I have had the new fence put in over the past two days - the fellows who did the work were really taken with Trilby - it has cost just short of £1,000 but well worth it as now he can't get out. I've had a six-foot wooden fence put in with gravel boards sunk into the ground and fence posts concreted in - they will, hopefully, put an end to his games!

He has taken to wearing a collar and lead with no bother at all and his house training is fine, I have puddles/poo occasionally during the night but mainly he uses the newspapers I put down - and now I will be able to leave the patio ajar for him during the day it will make life even better, he is very happy to come when I call him - what a dog! The training you gave him when he was young gave him such good grounding, I just wish every breeder was as diligent as you and your husband, you are a credit to the profession.
I've had to scold him just once, that was when he presented me with the telephone connection to my computer he had pulled out of the wall, we were soon friends afterwards! I have insured him of course.

7 January 2006
Hello Cherrill,
Just to keep updated on Trilby. He is eating well and seems to be thoroughly enjoying life, everyone who meets him love him! He is extremely good in the car, I put a fleece on the car seat and a ring - rather like a fleece covered rubber ring - for him to sit inside and he goes to sleep - when he is bigger I will buy a car harness for him but he is too small for this and I don't want to put him in a cage. He sleeps well at night and doesn't cry at all.

During the week he escaped, under the chicken wire, through the trees at the bottom of my garden and I had to chase him in my nightie across the allotments much to the amusement of my neighbours. I have now arranged for the trees to be replaced by a six-foot wooden fence at the end of next week therefore I am hoping that will put paid to any further games. He no longer shows any trace of shyness, he is now full of confidence.

My cat is still full of disdain for him although Trilby only stares in wonder when they meet - there is no sign of spitting or hissing - Lucky is such a large cat. As Trilby is not allowed upstairs, Lucky spends is days relaxing up there in peace and quiet. He is such a delight and I am so very happy to share my home with him.
Yvonne

Hello Cherrill,
Yes, I will be keeping his name, I like it and he knows his name therefore there is no reason to change it. He is eating OK, he is enjoying his breakfast scrambled eggs, which he eats up during the morning if he's not eaten it all at breakfast time. Last night I cooked roast beef and he had some, along with broccoli and cauliflower - no potatoes! and he appeared to really enjoy that. He is still asking to go outside, despite the bitterly cold weather and we had a good nights sleep again with him last night. I am keeping the heating going 24 hours at the moment so he is warm and comfortable - I am going to try to keep him to just the downstairs part of the house and it shouldn't be a problem for him.

I think he has settled down well, my vet was so impressed with him, I am just like a proud parent! He seems to be a very happy animal.
Yvonne

THE EARLY MONTHS - TRILBY SETTLES IN AND GETS HIS VACCINATIONS

Hello Cherrill,
Trilby had his second inoculation this morning and my vet gave him a thorough check. He found everything was well, Trilby does have a small hernia, as you thought he had, but it won't cause any problems. The vet practice keeps stocks of Royal Canine food so that's good too.

I have enrolled Trilby in the puppy training class at the vets starting on January 12th, he really is such a darling dog - he travels well in the car, sleeping most of the time and has settles well in the house, he is asking to go outside if he wants the loo and spends a lot of time playing. No sign of any shyness! He slept through last night without crying. He has been carrying around a small empty cardboard box all morning, despite the fact he has loads of toys and he has thoroughly enjoyed chasing my mop whilst I was trying to clean the kitchen floor - housework is not my favourite occupation so he will have to wait a while before he can do that again!

No one can believe how well behaved he is, very laid back but still loopy at times. He will be my constant companion and I am sure we will enjoy many adventures together. As I type this, he is sat on my feet!

Lucky, the cat, is still disgusted at the intrusion of another animal but as he spends his days on the landing upstairs and Trilby doesn't go up there he can have his own space and come round in his own time, I am not forcing the issue - I am sure all will be well.
Thank you once again, for this wonderful animal - he will have a good home with me, I promise.
Best regards
Yvonne

WEDNESDAY 28TH DECEMBER 2005 - TRILBY ARRIVES AT HIS NEW HOME
Hello Cherrill,
It was good to meet you this morning, thank you for your time on a Bank Holiday. Trilby was a little star on the way back, he slept most of the way - he has now settled on his fleece in the conservatory and is snoring so I am letting him alone to settle down in peace. He is not at all sure what the big hairy ginger thing I have here is - Lucky is also a bit non plussed about the dog! There has been no hissing or fur flying so far, so good.
Hopefully, we all sit down in front of the fire for a quiet evening, it's snowing like mad here - the traffic on the way back was horrendous. Once again, a big thank you for your time.
Best regards,
Yvonne