Laurie's Blogs.

Hi Laurie, 

Long time no chat!  I keep up on your end with your site updates (which I love by the way) - on my end over here I've been pretty steady with the dogs.  I hate to feel like I'm asking for answers but a dog has crossed my path that I've never experienced before.  2 year old pointer with a complete achilles laceration and subsequent repair in Calgary.  The screw was just removed friday and he is weight bearing no problem but the owner is a bit concerned that the injured leg sits lower than the other (they had to use a longer graft to do the repair as the tendon had retracted too much).   I haven't physically seen the dog but just chatted with the owner.  For now the dog is leash only, 5 minute intervals and pretty restricted for next 4 weeks.  I plan on seeing him early next week when he comes off the metacam  and see if he is developing any compensation and get started on some beginning strengthening.... any advice?!  This isn't one that I've come across in the next books a lot either.  We know the trouble with achilles repairs in humans, is it similar in dogs??  Should I be doing friction massage?  

Appreciate any help at all,

J

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Hi J,

So I tend to get nervous with these ones as well.

I would use slow and steady strengthening for the most part:

Hill walking

Step ups 

Squat blocks

Sit to stands facing up a small hill

Backing up

3-Leg stands with e-stim on gastrocs

You might want to order them a tarsal brace - I'd go with a Therapaw tarsoflex (over the counter - size med or large... call or e-mail them to ask... or check out their website (www.therapaw.com).  It's a good product and less expensive than a custom thermoplastic one. (I think if surgery hadn't been done then a rigid non articulating brace would be smart).  

So with this brace you could start (eventually):

Trotting

Destination jumping

Tug of war

Short retrieves 

Off leash

And when that goes well, then they can do the same without the brace.

I'd not do friction massage, but I'd add some form of modality in conjunction with your exercise therapy / prescription.

And of course check spine and proximal musculature for compensations.

I hope this helps a bit.  

So glad you are busy with dogs!  That makes me happy!

Cheers,

Laurie