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.
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