Laurie's Blogs.

Hey Laurie,

Quick question for you:  My younger dog, Lucy had the TPLO surgery about 8 weeks ago.  Lucy did really well the first week or two after surgery but then developed an infection that we were on top of right away and it cleared but since then she has not put much weight through the surgical leg.  When walking or running she just uses 3 legs and she will toe touch if just standing.  I have been working with her to try to encourage more weight bearing and I'm not sure if it is a habit now to walk/run the way she does.  I'm wondering about bringing her up to Calgary to use your underwater treadmill… any thoughts?  Should I do a consult with you first?  Are there openings on Saturday for the Treadmill?

Thanks! -S

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Hey S,

So, just off the top of my head... you have to keep 'infection' in the back of your mind with these cases.  It may necessitate plate removal.

Double-check the meniscus.

At home you can work with whatever you have at your disposal for pain relief modalities / manual therapies and THEN exercise. 

Now, as for Treadmill, we are fully booked...  Saturdays book up quick.  But really, if I were you, I'd do a little work with a land treadmill - resisting the good leg.  More strenuous strengthening - step ups, squat blocks, destination jumping, step hill walking, tug of war...  I'm not 100% convinced of the UWT magical healing powers as a one-shot deal! ;)

Cheers,

Laurie

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Got it.  The vet did mention hardware removal if she wasn't doing better by 12 weeks.  So are you saying there is a possibility there is still a low-grade infection that may be preventing her from weight bearing more on that leg?  She's a very happy dog otherwise and the knee doesn't seem to bother her like it did when the infection was at it's peak... there were no superficial signs of infection along the incision at the time, but she was one very sad dog with a high temp and she cried a fair bit with certain knee movements, so we figured the infection was deeper.  He did have to remove a piece of the medial meniscus as it was torn when he did the TPLO.  I will re-check it again. 

It would be easier on my end just to keep working on things here, I just hated the thought of missing something I should be doing with her.  I will skip the underwater treadmill as it is only realistic for me to come up on weekends.  You are right that it won't be consistent enough for it to do much good.

Thanks so much for your time Laurie.  It is much appreciated.

S

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Hey S.

So, yes there can be a wee infection just lingering in/around the plate.  We've seen it a number of times before in dogs with a similar history.

I tend to poke around at the plate and try to 'wiggle it'.  That shouldn't hurt it in a normal situation...  Either way, you'll need to wait the 12 weeks to have it removed...but if she is weight bearing less and less, then think about another round of antibiotics.  Ask your vet what he thinks. 

I agree with you, that staying home and doing more there would make more sense than driving the 2 hours to Calgary for UWT.  Just keep pushing her to weight bear in different ways.  If nothing more, it will speed up bone healing, so that if nothing has changed in 4 weeks, you have a better chance of being able to remove the plate.  And if she improves, then you're laughing!!! 

All the best, and let me know if I can be of further assistance!

Cheers!

Laurie