Week 6, Day 6 - New activities, Swimming in the pool

It's now almost 7 full weeks since Webber's surgery, and I can't believe how well he is doing. Obviously, we are following the program and obviously he was a very healthy dog before the surgery. He is getting stronger every day. We still ice (15 minutes of quiet time) at night, especially on his 'long' walk days (2 x 30 minutes).

To change it up a little, instead of a weekly walking video, we decided to show you Webber's newest activity. Controlled swimming in the pool. We bought Webber a life jacket (http://www.seniorpetproducts.com/product/k9-float-coat-lifejacket-p1442.html?&parent=308), which is more so that I can control where he swims and guide him back to the ramp (also purchased from Senior Pet Products). We did 4 gentle figure 8's in the pool and called it a night. Very exciting, especially since after 3 years of us telling him to 'leave it' when he was checking out the pool, we had a bit of a challenge getting him to come in. His favourite ball fixed that, he couldn't resist.



Next week, he goes for his 8 week post-surgery x-rays. We are very hopeful that we will hear that his bone is 100% healed and perhaps at that point we can let him do some controlled short off-leash bursts in the back yard.

Soon Webber, very soon, we'll be back running and playing with our friends in the park. It's amazing how quick the last 7 weeks have passed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WEBBER!

Today is Webber's 3rd Birthday. Last nite we had the whole pack over to celebrate with him. I made him a special carrot cake (not bad even for us humans), and he got a new toy. Best of all, we took him for a little adventure down to the river for a S-W-I-M ... must remember to spell that one. He was so excited, although I think Steve's heart skipped a beat when Webber went into the water. haha. He's fine today, so I'd say it was all good.

Week 6, Day 1 - Making Great Progress! Week 5 & 6 Exercises

We are now through 6 full weeks of recovery. Webber's could be a poster boy for TPLO, or me, I'm not sure. We took him for his second PhysioTherapy (PT) appointment yesterday. Carrie was clearly happy with the progress he is making. Said that he is doing much better than expected at this point in the process. What that means is more exercises, and clearly more freedoms for Webber. The only two left now are the leash (still attached), and no rough-housing with other pups. But soon, very soon ...

He's allowed stairs, in fact we need to encourage him to do stairs, slowly and controlled, to help build his muscles and strength. Oh, and he is not on any pain meds at all, and doing just fine. We still ice him after a long day of exercise, but he likes that now.

That's it for now, he's doing so great, we sometimes forget. Two weeks until X-Rays and hopefully some controlled off-leash play.

Almost forgot, we ordered Webber an Illusion Collar (from Cesar Milan), without much hope that anything would stop Webber from 'pulling' on the leash. In exactly the amount of time it took me to put it on him, he went from crazy, end of the leash pull, let's go ... to an absolutely perfect dog walk at my side. Too amazing. Highly recommend for anyone who is experiencing troubles walking on a leash. http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/products/i-collar.php


NOTE: Do not perform these exercises with your dog unless he has been examined by a qualified professional to ensure his ability to perform them properly without hurting him.

WEEK 5 & 6 PT EXERCISES

Alternate Day Schedule:
Even Days - Two 30 minute walks, plus exercises
Odd Days - Two 15 minute walks, plus exercises, Plus ... Woo-Hoo ... A controlled swim in the river.

Since we live on a river with a deep slope down (w/stairs), Carrie has decided to incorporate an exercise session. We will walk down controlled on leash, then throw the ball. Swim ... then leash walk back up to the top and do a controlled step over a bar (not jump, but forcing him to go slow and think about lifting the surgery leg). Repeat again ... we will increase the 'reps' of this 1 each time until we reach a max of 10. Course this will depend on Webber and we will watch carefully to ensure he isn't overdoing it.

The new exercises are (and I'll try to post video/pictures soon), 10 repetitions, 3 times per day:

1) Figure 8's - with a treat in your hand, reach around your right leg and coax your dog to walk through your legs. Continue to guide your dog all the way around leg. Repeat on the left side, forming a figure 8.



2) Front legs up - (Webber's favourite, although I think it is a natural Weim pose) - Have your dog place his front paws on a step, stool, chair etc. to increase the load on the operated limb. Keep your dog busy with a treat or a toy for a long as possible.



3) Ramps, hills, and stairs - your dog may now start walking up and down inclines and stairs. We need to get Webber to walk sideways along a hill. Webber on Left with surgery leg on the top part of slope.

4) Dancing - Again, A Webber favourite, as he loves to give Mom a hug ... have your dog put his front paws up on you, and hold them. Walk a couple of steps forward and backward to that your dog starts to fully weight bear on the operated limb. Your dog should not be collapsing or in any discomfort with this exercise.



6) High Step Over - Place a bar between two chairs, high enough that your dog needs to lift his legs to get over. Coax him slowly towards you so that he has to 'walk' over the bar. A 'hop' with the back legs is Cheating!

7) Crawl Under - Using the same bar, a little higher perhaps, have your dog lay down and coax him to 'crawl' under the bar.

Week 5, Day 2 - Plenty of Walks Now!

It is now 5 full weeks since Webber's surgery, and I continue to be amazed at well he is doing. We have to keep reminding ourselves that he is not fully healed and to keep to the program. But if this is an indication, I can see him back playing in another month.

To major things I've noticed:

1. He is sleeping better at night. Less moving about. Before the surgery, I think he had trouble getting in a comfortable position and the pain that he may have been in did not allow his to settle in one spot for the night.
2. He is putting more weight on the surgery leg than before the surgery. There is hardly any toe-touching now. Sometimes it's hard to tell with a Weim, since even before his injury his stance usually had one leg extended back ... great point positioning, natural instinct.

Webber is having no problems getting onto the couch and chairs. Please note: Webber does not 'jump' onto or off the furniture. He is very adept at placing his front legs up and then just stepping up to lay down. If your dog cannot 'step' onto the furniture, I'm sure you would want to wait longer to allow this privilege. For Webb's, this is the ultimate in comfort, and closeness to us. It's hard to get a video of him climbing up, as he is a bit of a 'photo' mooch. Whenever your point a camera at him, he 'poses'.



He's now doing two 15-20 minutes walks everyday. That's on top of his roaming (on lead) around the yard. I don't count that, since it is mostly 'sniff' time. He's too funny, in this video, you can see how good he is walking, and then he decides he'll take a go at dad to see if he can play.



We walk down the road (can't wait to go to a park and walk him, much safer). Last nite the neighbour's garbage was out, and I think he thought it was some monster out to get him. Check out him hiding behind my legs. What a chicken!

Week 4, Day 6 - Having fun!

Well, things are moving along just great. We are working on Webber's physio exercises everyday, and I can see him getting stronger and stronger. He's always loved routine, and we are starting a new one now. A 10-minute walk in the morning and in the evening. If dogs smile (and I know they do), that is what he does the whole time. We don't go far, but we do go at a good speed. 5 minutes out, 5 minutes back. I'm sure just the mental stimulation of seeing, smelling new things. He's now taking a well-earned nap, cuddled up to me on the couch, as I update his blog.

Speaking of mental stimulation, a little game we are teaching Webb ... the Shell Game. He's getting pretty good at it too:

Week 4, Day 0 - Physio Starts Today - Week 3 & 4 Exercises

Incision - It's hardly noticable now.

Webber is doing great. But don't just take my word for it. We went for his first physio appt. today and the physiotherapist was, I am not kidding, amazed at how much range of motion he had in his leg and how little atrophy he had in his muscles. There is only a difference of 4 cm between his right and left (surgery) leg. His incision is looking really good and well, I couldn't be happier. He is officially allowed to do supervised stairs and supervised couches. As you can see here ... he is sooooo happy to have his night-time spot back. Although we have put a couple of steps to make it easier for him to get up and down.





So let's start today's note with his end of week walk video. I'm am always so amazed when I look at this and realize that he just had surgery 4 weeks ago today.




WEEK 3 & 4 PHYSIOTHERAPY EXERCISES
Basically Webber has 5 exercises which we need to do 5 repetitions, 3 times a day for a total of 15-20 minutes. And he has been given the OK to increase his walks from 5 minutes (2-3 times/day) to 10 minutes (2-3 times / day). We'll need to monitor that and cut back if he shows that it is bothering him.
Always ice after exercise ... and when resting rub scar horizontally across to prevent the 'skin' from binding to the leg.

1. Shake the Bootie. Place a bootie, sock, bandage, hair scrunchie, etc. on the paw of the GOOD hind leg. As he walks, your dog will want to shake it off because it feels funny. This will make him take more weight on the operated leg. Have him walk for a few minutes until he gets used to it and stops shaking his leg.



2. Balancing. Three-leg stand and Two-leg stand. Always keep the operated leg on the ground. Gently life each of the other 3 paws off the ground, one at a time, so your dog has to shift his balance. Once your dog has no problem balancing on 3 legs, progress to lifting the good hind leg and opposite front leg off the ground at the same time to make your dog balance on 2 legs.



3. Twist and Bend. Cookies at the hip. Hold a treat beside your dog's hip and have your dog reach to get it. Repeat 5 times on each side. Switch sides each time.



4. Sit pretty. Your dog will probably be sticking his operated leg out to the side when he sits. Ask your dog to sit, then gently push the operated knee in so it is in a straighter position. Ask you dog to stand up from the straight position and give him a treat when he does.

5. Walk backwards. Hold a treat at about chest height and slowly walk into your dog, forcing him to back up. Works his gluts.

Week 2, Day 6 - He's getting Feisty, Definitely Feeling Better

We are very lucky to have such a wonderful yard for both of us as we go through this first 8-week recuperation (not rehab) time. Just had to share my beautiful clematis vines which I actually get to enjoy this year as I sit and read my book while Webber soaks up the sunshine and fresh air.







Every evening after Webber's dinner he gets his short walk up the road to do his potty. Look how great he is doing ... hard to believe it only 3 weeks since the surgery. (Too bad my butt is in the picture, LOL.)



Much better Steve, get the dog not me ...



BUT MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, AS YOU CAN SEE BY THIS SHORT VIDEO, BE CAREFUL NOW ... IF HE WEREN'T SUCH A GOOD DOG, I'M SURE HE WOULD HAVE GONE NUTS ... TOO FUNNY! LESSON LEARNED, NEVER LET GO OF THE LEAD!!!



And, the reason we need to keep a hold onto that lead ... with the apples starting to fall, we have a regular visitor now. Oh, wouldn't Webber love to give her a run ...

Week 2, Day 4 - Happy Canada Day!

Have you ever seen a dog sit like this, he truly thinks he is a person!
As we celebrate our country's independence, we sit here in quiet boredom and celebrate our own little achievements ... another successful, peaceful day with Webber recuperating. Routine is being achieved, and even though Webber thinks he would like to run and play, he seems to know that he's not allowed. In the morning he now does his stretch on the ramp off the bed while I put on his collar. So funny, cause he actually waits for me to get up and put on his lead before heading for the door. What a smart guy!

Medications: Antibiotics are finished thank goodness!
Tramadol: 6:00 AM, 1:30 PM, and 9:30 PM (just before bed).

It's true that they live in the moment. We could certainly learn alot from these wonderful companions. Sometimes I look at him and I feel so bad for doing this, but then he doesn't think that way, does he? He just thinks something hurts and I think I'll lie down now. I do believe that anything that gives them back some of the routine they had before helps them alot.

The only time I really worry right now is after a potty break, he wants to take off and race back to the house, which was what he normally would do pre-surgery. Webber never did like going poop near the house, so we do a short walk to the front of the property. We usually do that twice a day (about 5 minutes or less of walking, and he usually lies down for a rest about half way through, LOL). Otherwise he just goes near the front porch for a pee. We do porch or grass sit for long periods during the day. I have books and chairs all over outside, for whenever he decides it's time to soak up some fresh air. I think this has helped him alot. I let him follow me around the house when I am cooking dinner. Usually he just lies down (not much different than before the surgery) and watches me seeing if there is anything going his way. Poor guy, I can't tell you how many times I have told him to Lay Down Webber. If anything after he will certainly have that command down.

The challenge now as he starts feeling better is to keep him distracted from the fact that he is on a very short tether. Note: He has tested climbing up on the coach (his favourite place), much to his dismay he is not allowed. We've found that a frozen Kong filled with his own version of Rocky Road (fat-free probiotic yogurt with treats ... frozen) is a great distraction at night before we are ready for bed. It's his signal that it's time to settle down and usually konks out right after. Check out Steve's solution to Webber licking at his incision (which he really hasn't done, thank goodness, even after removing the staples).



I have noticed a small 'bump' on his surgery leg ... will need to watch it and if I can get a picture I will try. Just looks weird. Nothing I am sure, but we can't be too careful can we.