Week Three Post Op
March 30, 2006 – Day 17 Post Op - Benchmarks and Milestones
Today Buddy climbed up the front stairs! He is making remarkable progress and his spirit is so incredible. He is just trying and trying.
Yesterday he went for his therapy evaluation and his first session in the hydrotherapy room walking on the underwater treadmill. First the vet and therapist interviewed me and examined him head to toe.
Then we went in for the session. First he went in and out of the plastic enclosure. It is a bit larger than his dog crate and the clear sides allow him to look out and we can look in. Then they closed the door and it started to fill with water. He was surprised but not fearful. He did try to pick up his feet to keep them dry. But then he had to give up as the water got deeper. He did not panic or try to get out.
When the water was up to his belly, they started the treadmill very very slowly. He rode it till he bonked his butt, then started walking. He continued this in intervals of increasing time with rests in between. Each time he went a little longer and a little faster. When the treadmill was off, they got to see the two legged thing he does when he lifts both back legs at the same time and rests his whole weight on his front legs. One of our goals will be to stop that.
The vet and the therapist observed him very closely. And took voluminous notes. After the underwater session, they drained the box and he came out and did his SHAKE.
Then they showed me some stretches and range of motion exercises to help him loosen his front end. This was a surprise. I thought I would be exercising the rear legs. But his front is overdeveloped and very tight and he needs to be loosened up.
He is to practice turning his head instead of his whole body. (Treats will be used for that.) Also I am to help him stretch his forelegs by holding the elbow and massaging the shoulder. I have noticed that Princess goes through quite a stretching session on her own every day. I will help Buddy get used to doing that also.
We will start our regular walks again working up from 5 minutes today to 15 minutes by next Wednesday when we have our next session. We will also graduate from the flat to a gentle incline.
He is still on the Metacam and will continue to have it until the supply is gone. I put the drops on his food each morning.
The past five weeks have been a roller coaster ride from the original diagnosis through the second opinion through the surgery through the initial recovery period and now on to rehab. He still turns occasionally and stares at his hip and I think he is realizing he is not feeling pain there anymore. I am so incredibly glad I did this for him.
March 31, 2006 - Day 18 Post Op – Stretch It Out
Buddy likes the stretching exercises. Doing them with him made me realize how good Princess is with self-care. Every morning and every evening she does a series of stretches, both standing and on the floor. Full extension of both front and back legs. Her neck is also very flexible and she moves her head about to stretch it also. I had not realized that Buddy was not doing those stretches.
His sweet disposition is making this whole process as easy as possible. He is willing to do whatever is asked and also to keep trying. The stairs are a good example. Every day he thought about it until yesterday he was able to go up on his own. He still cannot jump so the car ramp is essential. We may not need the house ramp much longer.
April 1, 2006 - Day 19 Post Op - New Abilities
I am getting ready to put this whole journal on line. The Saga of Little Buddy. People have expressed an interest. And I am surprised at how some have said Little Buddy's spirit and "I can do it" attitude have inspired them. I am working on it and will get a blog going very soon. I will go back through and highlight those new abilities after surgery...things he could not do before.
We are back from our walk today. He is picking up the pace quite a bit. We were out ten minutes and added the incline for the first time. For most, it is not much of a "hill." But before the surgery, Buddy needed to stop and rest about halfway up. We scooted along today with no rest or pause.
He just went right up the front steps boom, boom, boom. They are easier than the back steps as the rise is lower and each step is wide. He continues to use the ramp to come in the back door, but he goes down the back steps. He is getting up in his easy chair in the living room (11 1/2" to the hassock and then 5 1/2" more to the chair). He and Princess are back to their rowdy rolling around the floor and tugging on their pull toys. He actually put his paw on her neck last night!
Sometimes...not always...he is lifting his leg to pee which he never did before. He feels great and so full of energy. He is galloping around the yard and doing the old bunny hop to get up speed. He is still sitting in that March of the Penguins posture with both legs so close together he could carry an egg.
He enjoys his therapy stretches and the shoulder massage. But it is still hard to get him to turn his head. He wants to swivel his whole forefront. He continues to be quite vocal and he makes us all laugh with his comments. He charms everyone who meets him and continues to brighten my life each day.
April 2, 2006 – Day 20 Post Op - Healing
There is so much about healing to learn from Little Buddy. I have followed the vet’s suggestion so far and let him guide me as to what he is capable of. What I am seeing is that each day, he tries something new. If it doesn’t work today, he will try again tomorrow. He paces himself and alternates active play with periods of intense rest when he “zones out” and enters into a deep (and healing) sleep.
He is sending some message to Princess (how?) to leave him alone at certain times and she does. Occasionally when he is sleeping she will walk over and sniff him and give him a loving lick or two on the head. She has been unfailingly gentle and kind without giving up her alpha dog status.
He welcomes my help with things he can’t do himself like stretching and turning his head. But yesterday he set the pace for our walk…faster than I had been going and faster than I would have thought comfortable for him. He is standing for longer periods each day and putting weight on his hindquarters. Yesterday he stood for quite awhile at the door waiting for my daughter to come in from unloading her car.
If I pay close attention, I learn from Princess also. What she does each day to keep herself in top condition. She does have quite a stretching regimen and she also does some jumping. She runs flat out at every opportunity. She is very limber and I now notice how she is able to turn her head almost straight back. All of this comes naturally to her. I think she encourages Buddy when they are outside. Certainly he has always tried to keep up with her. Now he may be able to. One day at a time.
April 3, 2006 – Three Weeks Post Op - Will the Real Buddy Please Stand Up
We have our dog back. Buddy is no longer an “invalid.” He is his sweet lively self and increasing his activity each day. Less sleeping, more running around. He is galloping in the yard and taking the front steps quite easily now. He’s up and down in the chair with no struggle.
The swelling around the scars has gone down and the hair is starting to grow back. The spot around the epidural site is still slow to grow. But he is no longer pink. I noticed him doing some stretching on his own this morning. I think he is realizing how good it feels.
Just now he is sorting his toys and moving each one to a different place. He likes to have them positioned around in all of “his spots” so they are handy if he needs them. I think I should move them back and encourage him to walk and get them.
He had a long walk in the rain yesterday and we’ll go again today. Still just in the neighborhood at least until Wednesday when he goes for therapy again. Then we will begin to venture out to the park.
Is it possible for a dog to say thank-you? He greeted me so warmly this morning and I think he is happier than he has ever been. Now that the surgery pain has subsided, he is experiencing the joy of pain-free living. The look in his eyes makes it all worthwhile.
Today Buddy climbed up the front stairs! He is making remarkable progress and his spirit is so incredible. He is just trying and trying.
Yesterday he went for his therapy evaluation and his first session in the hydrotherapy room walking on the underwater treadmill. First the vet and therapist interviewed me and examined him head to toe.
Then we went in for the session. First he went in and out of the plastic enclosure. It is a bit larger than his dog crate and the clear sides allow him to look out and we can look in. Then they closed the door and it started to fill with water. He was surprised but not fearful. He did try to pick up his feet to keep them dry. But then he had to give up as the water got deeper. He did not panic or try to get out.
When the water was up to his belly, they started the treadmill very very slowly. He rode it till he bonked his butt, then started walking. He continued this in intervals of increasing time with rests in between. Each time he went a little longer and a little faster. When the treadmill was off, they got to see the two legged thing he does when he lifts both back legs at the same time and rests his whole weight on his front legs. One of our goals will be to stop that.
The vet and the therapist observed him very closely. And took voluminous notes. After the underwater session, they drained the box and he came out and did his SHAKE.
Then they showed me some stretches and range of motion exercises to help him loosen his front end. This was a surprise. I thought I would be exercising the rear legs. But his front is overdeveloped and very tight and he needs to be loosened up.
He is to practice turning his head instead of his whole body. (Treats will be used for that.) Also I am to help him stretch his forelegs by holding the elbow and massaging the shoulder. I have noticed that Princess goes through quite a stretching session on her own every day. I will help Buddy get used to doing that also.
We will start our regular walks again working up from 5 minutes today to 15 minutes by next Wednesday when we have our next session. We will also graduate from the flat to a gentle incline.
He is still on the Metacam and will continue to have it until the supply is gone. I put the drops on his food each morning.
The past five weeks have been a roller coaster ride from the original diagnosis through the second opinion through the surgery through the initial recovery period and now on to rehab. He still turns occasionally and stares at his hip and I think he is realizing he is not feeling pain there anymore. I am so incredibly glad I did this for him.
March 31, 2006 - Day 18 Post Op – Stretch It Out
Buddy likes the stretching exercises. Doing them with him made me realize how good Princess is with self-care. Every morning and every evening she does a series of stretches, both standing and on the floor. Full extension of both front and back legs. Her neck is also very flexible and she moves her head about to stretch it also. I had not realized that Buddy was not doing those stretches.
His sweet disposition is making this whole process as easy as possible. He is willing to do whatever is asked and also to keep trying. The stairs are a good example. Every day he thought about it until yesterday he was able to go up on his own. He still cannot jump so the car ramp is essential. We may not need the house ramp much longer.
April 1, 2006 - Day 19 Post Op - New Abilities
I am getting ready to put this whole journal on line. The Saga of Little Buddy. People have expressed an interest. And I am surprised at how some have said Little Buddy's spirit and "I can do it" attitude have inspired them. I am working on it and will get a blog going very soon. I will go back through and highlight those new abilities after surgery...things he could not do before.
We are back from our walk today. He is picking up the pace quite a bit. We were out ten minutes and added the incline for the first time. For most, it is not much of a "hill." But before the surgery, Buddy needed to stop and rest about halfway up. We scooted along today with no rest or pause.
He just went right up the front steps boom, boom, boom. They are easier than the back steps as the rise is lower and each step is wide. He continues to use the ramp to come in the back door, but he goes down the back steps. He is getting up in his easy chair in the living room (11 1/2" to the hassock and then 5 1/2" more to the chair). He and Princess are back to their rowdy rolling around the floor and tugging on their pull toys. He actually put his paw on her neck last night!
Sometimes...not always...he is lifting his leg to pee which he never did before. He feels great and so full of energy. He is galloping around the yard and doing the old bunny hop to get up speed. He is still sitting in that March of the Penguins posture with both legs so close together he could carry an egg.
He enjoys his therapy stretches and the shoulder massage. But it is still hard to get him to turn his head. He wants to swivel his whole forefront. He continues to be quite vocal and he makes us all laugh with his comments. He charms everyone who meets him and continues to brighten my life each day.
April 2, 2006 – Day 20 Post Op - Healing
There is so much about healing to learn from Little Buddy. I have followed the vet’s suggestion so far and let him guide me as to what he is capable of. What I am seeing is that each day, he tries something new. If it doesn’t work today, he will try again tomorrow. He paces himself and alternates active play with periods of intense rest when he “zones out” and enters into a deep (and healing) sleep.
He is sending some message to Princess (how?) to leave him alone at certain times and she does. Occasionally when he is sleeping she will walk over and sniff him and give him a loving lick or two on the head. She has been unfailingly gentle and kind without giving up her alpha dog status.
He welcomes my help with things he can’t do himself like stretching and turning his head. But yesterday he set the pace for our walk…faster than I had been going and faster than I would have thought comfortable for him. He is standing for longer periods each day and putting weight on his hindquarters. Yesterday he stood for quite awhile at the door waiting for my daughter to come in from unloading her car.
If I pay close attention, I learn from Princess also. What she does each day to keep herself in top condition. She does have quite a stretching regimen and she also does some jumping. She runs flat out at every opportunity. She is very limber and I now notice how she is able to turn her head almost straight back. All of this comes naturally to her. I think she encourages Buddy when they are outside. Certainly he has always tried to keep up with her. Now he may be able to. One day at a time.
April 3, 2006 – Three Weeks Post Op - Will the Real Buddy Please Stand Up
We have our dog back. Buddy is no longer an “invalid.” He is his sweet lively self and increasing his activity each day. Less sleeping, more running around. He is galloping in the yard and taking the front steps quite easily now. He’s up and down in the chair with no struggle.
The swelling around the scars has gone down and the hair is starting to grow back. The spot around the epidural site is still slow to grow. But he is no longer pink. I noticed him doing some stretching on his own this morning. I think he is realizing how good it feels.
Just now he is sorting his toys and moving each one to a different place. He likes to have them positioned around in all of “his spots” so they are handy if he needs them. I think I should move them back and encourage him to walk and get them.
He had a long walk in the rain yesterday and we’ll go again today. Still just in the neighborhood at least until Wednesday when he goes for therapy again. Then we will begin to venture out to the park.
Is it possible for a dog to say thank-you? He greeted me so warmly this morning and I think he is happier than he has ever been. Now that the surgery pain has subsided, he is experiencing the joy of pain-free living. The look in his eyes makes it all worthwhile.
posted by Free Spirit at 3:30 PM
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