Laurie's Blogs.
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.
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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