Leo is doing so well! He can trot along really fast. We haven't let him run outside "free" yet. I think we're safe but he's now used to being contained on a leash outside. Inside, he is active chasing the cat. He loves her and would love to play but she doesn't want him nipping at her ears. :)
I'm so pleased with Leo's progress. I cannot wait to tell Dr. Porter - the best veterinary surgeon in Canada (at the very least). He will be happy for the news too.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Monday, August 8, 2011
6-weeks post op
As of today, Monday, August 8, 2010 it has been 6 weeks since surgery.
Dr. Porter had said that if Leo had been in a cast, he'd come out of it after 6 weeks so I think not keeping him in the brace is OK. Although I feel like if I took him on a walk farther from home, I'd definitely still want that protection. But I also feel anxiety of separating from it. The brace was so integral in Leo's rehabilitation. It worked so well... I guess I'm so surprised that the time has finally come. The leg is still weak since the leg muscles have atrophied quite a bit but Dr. Porter said that would just take time to build them up. He was very happy with how he has healed over all. I owe him a phone call this week.
I weighed Leo the other day and he had lost 3/4 kg. His digestion is good but maybe he's not eating as much. It may be attributed to muscle loss but in another few weeks I'm sure he'll average out. In any case, Leo is behaving very healthy and happy. :)
Dr. Porter had said that if Leo had been in a cast, he'd come out of it after 6 weeks so I think not keeping him in the brace is OK. Although I feel like if I took him on a walk farther from home, I'd definitely still want that protection. But I also feel anxiety of separating from it. The brace was so integral in Leo's rehabilitation. It worked so well... I guess I'm so surprised that the time has finally come. The leg is still weak since the leg muscles have atrophied quite a bit but Dr. Porter said that would just take time to build them up. He was very happy with how he has healed over all. I owe him a phone call this week.
I weighed Leo the other day and he had lost 3/4 kg. His digestion is good but maybe he's not eating as much. It may be attributed to muscle loss but in another few weeks I'm sure he'll average out. In any case, Leo is behaving very healthy and happy. :)
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Canine Rehabilitation with an Orthosis
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Good news!
Leo has a revamped brace such that it bends at the knee. We are in the last stages of rehab. Actually, he still has quite a raw sore from the original chopped down version so he's been in the kennel and out of the brace more often than he's been in the brace.
For the first few days, I'd put the brace on only to go outside for short walks. He has been maneuvering very well inside the house without the brace. We haven't been restricting him much inside. Originally, he'd be in the cage half the time but now we're letting him run free. He is mostly using his repaired leg! In the evening of Saturday, August 6, I took the 3 of them for a short walk around the block. It was a pleasant surprise when I noticed Leo using all 4 legs equally to walk! Before, I'd have to stop him and make him go slow to use all 4; now he was going faster-paced using all 4 and trotting right along. I was so pleased! What progress!
I am so hopeful Leo will return to normal and I finally feel like we're over the half-way mark. I think leaving him out of the brace is helping the sore to heal (there is still quite a scab) and he is not allowed to run off-leash.
I'm to call Dr. Porter after a week to give him an update. After a phone call this week and if I have no concerns, I only have to go back for a follow-up after another 6 weeks, so mid-September.
Good news!
Leo has a revamped brace such that it bends at the knee. We are in the last stages of rehab. Actually, he still has quite a raw sore from the original chopped down version so he's been in the kennel and out of the brace more often than he's been in the brace.
For the first few days, I'd put the brace on only to go outside for short walks. He has been maneuvering very well inside the house without the brace. We haven't been restricting him much inside. Originally, he'd be in the cage half the time but now we're letting him run free. He is mostly using his repaired leg! In the evening of Saturday, August 6, I took the 3 of them for a short walk around the block. It was a pleasant surprise when I noticed Leo using all 4 legs equally to walk! Before, I'd have to stop him and make him go slow to use all 4; now he was going faster-paced using all 4 and trotting right along. I was so pleased! What progress!
I am so hopeful Leo will return to normal and I finally feel like we're over the half-way mark. I think leaving him out of the brace is helping the sore to heal (there is still quite a scab) and he is not allowed to run off-leash.
I'm to call Dr. Porter after a week to give him an update. After a phone call this week and if I have no concerns, I only have to go back for a follow-up after another 6 weeks, so mid-September.
Monday, August 1, 2011
New pain point
The brace seemed to be working so well I didn't really check it carefully until Saturday morning. Leo can now bend forward at the knee which is chaffing on the inside of the brace and causing major irritation. It's very raw. I was able to see Janice at PawsAbility immediately (well... within an hour, since it's about 45km away). She carved it down more and put in softer padding.
At home Saturday, he was OK. We put him in the kennel Saturday night thought. We also let his rawness 'air out' while laying quietly at home Sunday and Sunday night (except for a bit to go outside for a short walk in the evening before bed). In fact, he is able to lift his leg up now while walking which is what he was doing before the surgery, tucking it up under himself -- but he's not supposed to! He should be using the leg in the brace!
It is a bit disheartening since Monday, we both had to leave for the day so in the kennel he went again. I just couldn't confine his irritated, raw shin bone in the brace all day without supervision. Poor little guy would be so hot and bothered from chewing at the Velcro and his own foot all day...
I have an appointment scheduled to see Dr. Porter Tuesday at 11:10 am for a follow-up and get "next steps" so we'll see what he says about it.
At home Saturday, he was OK. We put him in the kennel Saturday night thought. We also let his rawness 'air out' while laying quietly at home Sunday and Sunday night (except for a bit to go outside for a short walk in the evening before bed). In fact, he is able to lift his leg up now while walking which is what he was doing before the surgery, tucking it up under himself -- but he's not supposed to! He should be using the leg in the brace!
It is a bit disheartening since Monday, we both had to leave for the day so in the kennel he went again. I just couldn't confine his irritated, raw shin bone in the brace all day without supervision. Poor little guy would be so hot and bothered from chewing at the Velcro and his own foot all day...
I have an appointment scheduled to see Dr. Porter Tuesday at 11:10 am for a follow-up and get "next steps" so we'll see what he says about it.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
The brace gets adjusted today
I was curious as to how the new brace would look with it only half there but also anxious to get Leo into advanced rehab with a brace that provides more mobility. It looks great, functions and he cannot get out of it. :) He can now bend his knee forward which allows him to start using the upper part of the repaired tendon.
It's been 31 days since surgery and Leo is out of brace #1 and into the modified "rehab" version now. :)
It's been 31 days since surgery and Leo is out of brace #1 and into the modified "rehab" version now. :)
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Follow-up Results
Dr. Carl Porter suggests allowing as much air around the foot so that the toes can dry and also keep the brace clean(er). Leo is in the dirt so much... he allows for bacteria to get in the brace and it starts to irritate him.
That said, he may just end up in the kennel for the next week. Dr. Porter says to leave the original brace on him an additional 7 days before modifying it. I called Janice (after he had time to call her) to make an appointment. Next Thursday, July 28th, I take Leo in for 10am to get the brace adjusted. She is going to cut the top part off and change how the harness and back strap provide suspension.
This is such a long recovery process. Lorne said it would be easy. I didn't have any delusions either but reality has set in. Leo does not like being confined in that contraption he has for a 4th leg. However, Dr. Carl did say that the tendon looks good, it's in tact and is healing well! That's the main thing... the other issues are just the duties I have as a canine nurse-maid! ::sigh::
That said, he may just end up in the kennel for the next week. Dr. Porter says to leave the original brace on him an additional 7 days before modifying it. I called Janice (after he had time to call her) to make an appointment. Next Thursday, July 28th, I take Leo in for 10am to get the brace adjusted. She is going to cut the top part off and change how the harness and back strap provide suspension.
This is such a long recovery process. Lorne said it would be easy. I didn't have any delusions either but reality has set in. Leo does not like being confined in that contraption he has for a 4th leg. However, Dr. Carl did say that the tendon looks good, it's in tact and is healing well! That's the main thing... the other issues are just the duties I have as a canine nurse-maid! ::sigh::
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Follow-up at the vet hospital after wearing the brace for 2 weeks
It's been 2 weeks since Leo started wearing his brace.
Sunday, July 17, just 11 days after first getting the brace, he managed to get out of it in front of our eyes while he was completely strapped into it. What a dog. We were on our way out so fortunately we caught him but unfortunately for him he ended up in the kennel for the day but without his brace.
Yesterday, Rogers was coming so I worked from home and kept an eye on him. It just seems that as one part heals another part starts getting sores. His toes are red and something is irritating him. He goes, goes, goes but then he'll lay down and start chewing on his toes. They are under a velcro strap screwed on with metal so it's a bit difficult but sometimes, eventually, he can disengage from his brace. His lower leg is completely wet and slimy.
In any case, he is off to the vet tomorrow. The surgeon called Monday (back from vacation) so I figure I should get this done with. Also, he is probably ready for a revised brace - in the toe area but not in the hip area. We think he would most definitely get out of the brace if Janice were to chop off the top! ::sigh::
Sunday, July 17, just 11 days after first getting the brace, he managed to get out of it in front of our eyes while he was completely strapped into it. What a dog. We were on our way out so fortunately we caught him but unfortunately for him he ended up in the kennel for the day but without his brace.
Yesterday, Rogers was coming so I worked from home and kept an eye on him. It just seems that as one part heals another part starts getting sores. His toes are red and something is irritating him. He goes, goes, goes but then he'll lay down and start chewing on his toes. They are under a velcro strap screwed on with metal so it's a bit difficult but sometimes, eventually, he can disengage from his brace. His lower leg is completely wet and slimy.
In any case, he is off to the vet tomorrow. The surgeon called Monday (back from vacation) so I figure I should get this done with. Also, he is probably ready for a revised brace - in the toe area but not in the hip area. We think he would most definitely get out of the brace if Janice were to chop off the top! ::sigh::
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