Laurie's Blogs.
Apr 2015
Straight leg situation!
Hi Laurie,
I was hoping for some advice on this one. Molly is a 3 yr FS Maremma / guardian dog. Bilateral evidence of cruciate disease but left had complete tear, so went to surgery recently. Clients could not afford TTA, so went with extra capsular repair. No meniscal injury present at time of surgery.
Molly is SOOO straight in hind limbs. In fact when standing she intermittently "breaks over" on her hocks, hyper extending them.
What, if anything, should I add to her program to minimize this. Obviously I can't change her conformation dramatically -but she is just so unstable looking on those hocks. No wonder her stifles are a mess too.
Thanks in advance.
G
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Hey G,
Sorry for my tardy reply. I have to start ever reply with that phrase these days!
So I would use:
- Step ups - front feet up on a platform (or couch) and then place one hind leg up on the couch and ask the dog to step up.
- Squat blocks - (watch Fun with Cinderblocks) for the video
- Trot poles - walk over them... and maybe eventually trot.
- Anything for Gastrocs / Achilles: Back ups... back ups down a hill
- Destination jumping (low to begin with).
- Sit to stands facing up hill or with front feel elevated
I hope this gives you some ideas anyway...
Cheers,
Laurie
