Harvey is my seventh rescue rough collie and came to me aged 2 years, after his owner was diagnosed with cancer. He had been with him from a puppy and was described to me as “a joy to own”. He was so fat that when he walked he waddled and swung his front legs sideways as there was too much fat between them for them to work properly. He weighed 40kgs !! he was put straight on a diet recommended by the vet and Harvey declared his dislike of me for it by trying to nip my legs and feet whenever I went near enough. Great, not only had I got Jazz who nipped, (see story above) but another one had come my way. Looking at Harvey one day I thought his right eye looked a bit strange, so took him to the vet who diagnosed “small eye” the medical name evades me, but it is a birth defect where the eyeball does not form properly although the socket does, therefore the eye looks small and half hidden within the socket (which it is). He also had limited vision in this eye, my reasoning told me this could be the reason he nipped out when you went near him.
He settled well and got on well with Jazz, although he definitely knew his place as she told him frequently. The weight started coming off gradually, and he began to enjoy his exercise without all the puffing and panting he used to do. We then noticed that there were times when he would “go down” on his front legs and on recovery would limp badly or refuse to walk at all. Another trip to the vet confirmed that he had arthritis, not only in his leg joints, but also his neck and spine, damage which could have been caused through the excessive weight as a young dog. He was put on anti-inflamatories and pain relief which worked well and he will be on these for the rest of his life.
He has regular MOT’s every three months to check liver and kidney function which is fine at the moment. Harvey has been with me now for five years, the weight is off and he is a slim boy, with a defined waistline weighing just over 32kgs which is fine for him as he is a tall, long collie, much like the breed of the past. If he was human, I would put him in for a “skin removal” operation as there is definitely handfuls of loose skin you can get hold of. Harvey also went to training classes and passed his Kennel Club Good Citizen Certificates in Bronze, Silver and Gold. He is a loving boy, but on his terms and he will nip out if you over step the mark – which, believe me, I do not let him get away with, but he still chances his luck to this day !!
SADLY NOW AT RAINBOW BRIDGE … RIP HARVEY
