Rupert - 5 month old Old English Sheepdog

[Jo]

Rupert is a 5 month old Old English Sheepdog puppy who came in today because he has a wonky leg. He will have an investigation next week to find out what the problem is and how we can fix it.

[zoeoes]

How's gorgeous Rupert doing?

[Jo]

[norma]

Gorgeous Rupert is doing well, settling into his foster home with 3 collies and getting introduced to lots of new people, dogs and situations. He has been to a few puppy training sessions and is learning quickly. He enjoys his walks with the other dogs across the fields but does need to rest sometimes as he bounds around like a proper puppy and I don't think his wonky legs cope with his enthusiasm. It is still not sure what the best course of treatment is for him, he had a set back last week when he hurt his leg and crying in pain was unable to walk. A night at the vets and now on anti-inflammatory medicine and back to his happy self. He is a very happy and sociable pup.

[Jo]

As many of you will know Rupert the Old English Sheepdog puppy came in to us from a puppy farmer a couple of months ago.

He had been returned because he had wobbly front legs so was handed in to rescue and joined the Wonky Dog and Cat Club. Rupert has had xrays which were sent off to be examined by an Orthopedic Specialist and we have now had the report.

The news is not good for poor, dear Rupert but all is not lost and we will do everything we can to give him a good quality of life. Rupert has hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, abnormal growth of his ulna and radius bones and also problems with, what in a human would be his wrists, his metacarpus. Our vet at Maesglas Brackla Phil Gedddes, who also specialises in orthopedics, wants to wait until Rupert is about 14 months old and then he will be re-xrayed and we will look at the possibility of hip replacements and any other surgery that may be possible. In the shorter term Rupert will be on anti-inflamatories, pain relief and good food. He will also start some hydrotherapy with Angela and her team at Aqua Dogs in Cardiff.

Angela already cares for two of our other Wonky Dog and Cat Club members Buster and Tigger so we have absolute faith in her expertise. Rupert's front legs and his hips are a mess to be honest but he is a happy, funny, playful, loving pup who didn't ask to be born but now he is and he is here we will do everything we possibly can for him.

[norma]

Rupert is doing well and being a busy puppy. He has learnt Sit and Stay and waits now to be told he can eat his food. I also interrupt him whilst he is eating to give him his medication and he is fine with that and leaving the other dogs alone to eat their food. If the water bowl is empty, he carries it to me, as he does with his food bowl if he is hungry! He went to the Vale and Pembroke Shows with me and although not great yet at heel work, he had a lovely time and met lots of people, children and other dogs and of course he was good as gold and everyone loved him. He also came to work with me to support Paws on Patrol at Maesteg on Saturday with my dog Leo and had loads of children wanting to say hello to him. He was also helping at the FOARCT event at Pets at Home at Bridgend on Sunday and dozens of people fell in love with him. He really is a very lovely dog with a great character, so easy going, gentle, friendly, playful and cute as a button. He is fantastic with other dogs, children and doggy people. He adores all the attention, his tail wags even more with every belly rub he gets!

[redgypsy]

Don't know what to say,is this caused by in breeding!!!!!!!!!!

Glenice.

[zoeoes]

Bless him, sounds like he has a lovely temperament , so sad about his orthopaedic problems, money comes first to these unscrupulous breeders, not health?

[norma]

Sadly we cannot change the past for Rupert but can possibly change people's views on buying from a puppy farm. Rupert is doing well, he has started his hydrotherapy sessions and learning to walk in water on the treadmill. He is also doing homework, stepping over 3 inch poles to get him to lift his front paws more. He demonstrated this ability well at today's Meet and Greet with older foster Betty, giving a High 5 to everyone! Brilliant result, the pair of them drew the shoppers to part with just short of £120 All Rupert's treatment is an expense for FOARCT so I am so pleased that he can help to raise some of the much needed funds.

[redgypsy]

Good Luck Rupert, you will get the best treatment, I hope all goes well for you,and that you will be pain free.

Glenice.