Chewing nails and pads causing real damage

[Mickeydredd]

I cant advise, but my friend's gwp will chew her pads if she eats raw meat.

[PatG]

Thank you Holmes, Alice, appreciate your comments.

I am completely devastated and emotionally exhausted.

I've just emailed the stud dog's owner and the breeder with the details and sent them the photos of her paws. I hope they don't breed from these dogs again. I'll continue to do what I can to help the Glasgow Uni Vet School carry out their research with the hope they can do something to prevent this condition becoming established in the working cocker. They have a sample of Jem's blood and a copy of her pedigree.

thanks again
Pat

[PatG]

Mickeydredd,

Not sure about your friend's gwp but according to the Glasgow Uni Vet school neurologist, Sensory Neuropathy may cause a feeling similar to what amputees think they feel in their missing limb - maybe a bit like pins and needles - and this is why they start licking/chewing and then self mutilating. She is on gabapentin to try to reduce this feeling.

Pat

[PatG]

I've been dreading having to post this.
It is with a heavy heart that I have to let you know that this week Jem was put to sleep. I was so determined to get her paws to heal as I believed that once they were, she would return to normal. I knew I could devote as much time as was needed because I don't work and Jem was with me all day every day. Although I was making some progress, this week I was forced to accept that the only reason her paws were looking a bit better was because they were bandaged 24/7 and she had absolutely no access to them. Once the bandages were removed the urge to chew them again was overwhelming for her. For 6 months of her 11 month life she has been receiving treatment, had two and sometimes three paws in bandages and slept at night with a cone collar - I managed to get a soft one for her. Despite this, she was a happy puppy and keen to learn new things, until this week. I'd noticed her coordination was deteriorating and for the last few weeks she has been unable to jump into the car or the garden bench without help, both of which she could do easily before. Also this week her tail went limp and I knew things were progressing.
We are all completely devastated here as despite her short time with us, she had made a considerable impact. She had a lovely gentle temperament and I'm convinced she could have made a good, reliable gundog. At 11 months she was already bigger and looked much stronger than my other two cockers.
I did my homework before choosing Jem. I didn't want a FTCH x FTCH pup because I'm still a novice and I knew I wouldn't be able to do justice to pup as hot as that; I just wanted a pup from good lines but not too hot. I still can't get my head round the fact that despite being from good lines and having a decent pedigree, Jem had three serious conditions all of which I'm told are inherited or have some inherited element - bilingually displaced canines, acral mutilation and sensory neuropathy. I've informed Jem's breeder and the owner of her sire and I believe the Glasgow Vet School informed the KC.
I allowed my vet to take some samples to send to the Glasgow Vet School for their research into sensory neuropathy in working cockers as apparently it is unknown in this breed and the neurologist there assures me she will keep me informed about their progress. They already have her pedigree. These are cruel conditions and I hope they can be eradicated from the breed - or not allowed to become established in the first place.
We buried Jem in the garden, drank a toast to her with a dram of Macallans and enjoyed talking about her lovely little puppy habits; she was such a character.
Many of you posted replies to my posts about Jem and some sent PMs of support; thank you so much, this meant a lot to me.
Pat

[Rascal]

Aww Pat,

That is so very sad after all the work and heartache but I honestly think you have made the right decision for Jem....

I can't tell you how much I feel for you right now.....

Wendy

[Alice]

I'm so gutted to hear that Pat, it is so cruel that your little pup had three such unlikely conditions, and you couldn't have done more for her, or for the breed in general in the way you've dealt with it.

thinking of you.

[Stacia]

I am so sorry and so sad to read your post and feel deeply for you and little Jem. You did your very best for her and in her short life she was loved and had as good a life as you could give her. It is such a tragedy that she had to suffer those genetic conditions, so unfair and your heart must ache. Try to find some comfort in the happiness you gave her and she gave you.

Jelinga

[pontbeck]

So sorry to hear that news

[Bogtrotter]

I'm so sorry to hear your news. You always did the very best for her and, finally, made the hardest decision to end her suffering ... sadly, finally the greatest gift you can offer. My thoughts are with you.

Fiona

[Tungulria]

Saddened by this news so can only imagine how you feel. But please know you did the very best for her even down to the tough decision to end her suffering.
RIP free from pain Jem.