Laurie's Blogs.

 

17
Feb 2013

Post-op dogs... Not yet 100% Q & A

Good morning Laurie!!! 

I had an observation and was wondering if you have come across this too: 

I have 2 dogs right now- Wiggles is 3 months post right MPL revision and Luna is 8 weeks post left TTA (waited 6 months for diagnosis and ultimately the surgical repair). Both dogs can weight bear at a walk and trot, but when they stand still they appear to “float” (for lack of a better word) their surgical leg- it’s not that they are keeping the limb in flexion it’s just that the paw hovers (on all surfaces)…

Can’t think of anything other than it’s mental…thoughts????? 

Love the regular emails-keep them coming!!!

G.

- - -  ---  - - -

Hey G, 

Yes, I do believe this can be mental or habitual.

I have found that end stage, “hard-core”, neuromuscular rehabilitation helps with this - boot camp essentially.

Rear legs only on the treadmill,

Backwards & rear legs only on the treadmill,

Weave poles,

Tug of war,

Crawling under,

Diagonal leg standing on an uneven surface,

Sit to stands facing up hill,

Destination jumping (onto a platform),

Squat blocks (see the video "fun with cinderblocks"),

Put something ’abnormal’ on the good foot, just for slow walking & sniffing (i.e. plastic Bag tied loosely, vet wrap wrapped tightly, etc),

Standing practice on two blocks stretched further and further apart,

Backing up for a longer distance,

Short retrieves,

Game of keep away…

So a few 1/2 hour session of ’bootcamp’ will often do the trick or make an improvement.

Many / Most dogs just weight bear less on the surgical leg... (as per measurements using weight bearing tools – i.e. the Stance Analyzer – www.petsafe.net) but I do believe that improvements can be made.

Of course, one should look at the pelvis and lumbar spine for any problems there - as that might also be a problem. 

Hope this helps!

Laurie



Top