Re: cruciate ligament [quote author=debsie link=topic=3657.msg43128#msg43128 date=1388159732] Maybe a totally long shot, but when Cuillin was wee and got stressed and hyper about something (and she would get very stressed when wee!) I used a Thundershirt on her a lot. Now, Cuillin as a super sensitive dog, so all her reactions to things seem times a million compared to other dogs, but putting a Thundershirt on her had a hugely calming effect on her, in fact I only used it sparingly because she almost went into a trance with it on, she would stand stock still and then after a wee while just lie down and go to sleep wherever she was. Never had any reason to use it on Brods so I dont know how it would effect a less sensitive dog, but I'll pop one on him over the next few days when he is hyper and bouncy and tell you what happens.... [/quote] This is also interesting. A harness has that effect on Charlie - but I believe it's because it makes him fearful (I'm sure this isn't the case with Cuillin). We can feel his heart starting to pound, and his breathing increases (not to panting stage, but the rate definitely goes up). But we did put his harness on him to get the calming effect at one point over Christmas, and it did do the trick. For a while, then he "recovers". I've never figured out why harnesses do this to Charlie. I suspect the Thundershirt would have a similar effect. I'm not sure about using it though. I'll have a think.
Re: cruciate ligament When my little Lily was getting stressed due to her seizures , I tried the T Touch method of massage . Can only speak for me and how it worked for Lily , but work it did, relaxed her and lowered the stress/anxieties x
Re: cruciate ligament Thanks Kate, I've got the T Touch DVD but haven't watched it yet, but I'll give it a go for sure.
Re: cruciate ligament I know what you mean Julie, Cuillin really dislikes harnesses too and runs and hides when I produce one, and genuinely seems distressed about having one on (she sort of drops her back legs down when its put on and half crawls for a bit...). If you wanted to try a Thundershirt to see how you felt about it, just PM me and I could lend you Cuillin's for a bit Kate we had a TT touch demonstration workshop at Brodicks training class. Brodick thought it was a game when the practitioner massaged him : but only because i tickle his sides a lot as a game, and he thought she was going to do that I think, but the effect on other dogs in the class was pretty impressive, particulary a nervy rescue greyhound, was really interesting to see what was quite a jumpy nervy dog just relaxing into the massage
Re: cruciate ligament Thanks Debsie, isn't it odd about the harnesses? [quote author=debsie link=topic=3657.msg43133#msg43133 date=1388161637] the effect on other dogs in the class was pretty impressive, particulary a nervy rescue greyhound, was really interesting to see what was quite a jumpy nervy dog just relaxing into the massage [/quote] I agree with you - I think all these techniques are very interesting and you can really see how they would work for some dogs. With Charlie though, I don't think he is nervy (apart from when it comes to harnesses), I think he is an over confident, over enthusiastic, Chocolate hooligan. :
Re: cruciate ligament yes, Brodick is a bit like Charlie and I don't think these relaxation techniques work so well on him... well, he is yin and yang really, the most laid back calm boy in the world for half a day, then he will become an over enthusiastic party animal at the drop of a hat....love both sides of him though and actually as he gets older his party animal side can be re directed into productive things more easily (party away by retrieving that dummy with wild OTT enthusiasm, for example...). But relaxy things seem to have the opposite effect on him and make him giggle (in a dog like way) and get playful, if you know what I mean! I've never worked out the harness thing with C either....
Re: cruciate ligament Wow, this is all such a challenge, Julie! I totally understand about your worries on the post-op....however, keep in mind he will be a couple months (?) older, which will help, and at that point more used to the more laid-back lifestyle imposed on him due to his injury. Hopefully being a little bit older will help some? But there must be others who have had this op done and had to manage with a similar energy level dog? I'm surprised there aren't more "coping" tips or other info out there for you to get some advice from. How long is the risk of fracture last? Will this potential 24/7 crating period be weeks? Glad to hear your Christmas upheaval is over. I can't imagine the stress of that - it would have been very difficult for us to have lots of people over to our house over Christmas as Simba tends to fall apart when new people are around. He just loses whatever civilization he's gained. So it sounds to me that Charlie did very well!
Re: cruciate ligament [quote author=Lisa link=topic=3657.msg43139#msg43139 date=1388163014] But there must be others who have had this op done and had to manage with a similar energy level dog? I'm surprised there aren't more "coping" tips or other info out there for you to get some advice from. How long is the risk of fracture last? Will this potential 24/7 crating period be weeks? [/quote] I've got to email my questions to the surgeon, before my next phone call with him, so I haven't got a precise idea yet. Broadly though, the recovery period for the bone is 6 weeks, then a check up, and if all is well, we can start working up to normal exercise. In all, I think probably by the end of April we might be starting to do little retrieves on a long line and working up to having some time off lead. The bit in the middle though. : There isn't a lot of advice on managing high energy, all the advice is about mind games and things like that. The vets say: no jumping, no running, no impact on the bone while it heals, towel around the tummy to wheelbarrow up any steps etc. Smooth, gentle walking. Easier said than done with a dog like Charlie. No-one can give me exact risk factors for say, one counter surf, but what I do know is that it would be truly horrific to have the bone fracture before it's healed around the titanium plate. So my plan is crate rest - with as much closely supervised time in quiet activity outside the crate as possible. I've worked it out on a spreadsheet, and realistically, he is going to be in his crate for 18 - 19 hours a day, broken up a lot with company and short activities, of course. But it's still a long time. And I still haven't worked out whether that will be in a crate with a cone on... I keep telling myself that dogs survive much, much, worse than this - he'll have plenty of love, company and attention at least - and come through to be happy dogs. I hope so.
Re: cruciate ligament Just wanted to say that I have been thinking about you and Charlie, Julie. Chin up, girl. You and your boy are going to get through this. We on the forum are always here to listen and give advice or just be a shoulder if you feel the need for a good wail now and then. Big hugs. Xx
Re: cruciate ligament I did it with a very excitable 16 week old pup, four weeks in a crate, only allowed out on lead for wee and poo. I was, like you, terrified the bone would break and we would have to go through it all again. As it was Drift's elbow which had fractured, he wasn't allowed a kong, perhaps if you fed Charlie only in kongs that would use up some energy. In desperation I had to sedate Drift, but I wouldn't recommend you go down that route as he was even more hyper when he came out of it. We then had four further weeks in a small room only. I nearly had a nervous breakdown! However, I am sure Drift doesn't remember any of it and it doesn't appear to have done him lasting harm. The only thing it did do was to ruin his socialisation; if I had to go through it again, I would have taken him out in a crate in the car and let him watch children in a playground, people playing football, even parking in Waitrose car park and let him watch the people pass by. I am sure that can be tiring, so that is a possibility for Charlie, he might as well be in a crate in a car as in a crate in the house.
Re: cruciate ligament [quote author=Stacia link=topic=3657.msg43189#msg43189 date=1388171543] if I had to go through it again, I would have taken him out in a crate in the car and let him watch children in a playground, people playing football, even parking in Waitrose car park and let him watch the people pass by. I am sure that can be tiring, so that is a possibility for Charlie, he might as well be in a crate in a car as in a crate in the house. [/quote] This is a really interesting idea, Stacia - I can see that the change of scene and change of scents would be interesting. I wonder if it would work with a blanket to hand to cover the crate quickly if it looked like he was going to get over excited?? I'm sure, Julie, that you would want a plan in place if it looked like it was going to get too exciting... Clare
Re: cruciate ligament Thanks all - it helps with the worry to "talk" about it. You are all so supportive - thank you, really, thank you. Stacia - thanks for that, I'll give it some thought.
Re: cruciate ligament [quote author=Oberon link=topic=3657.msg43218#msg43218 date=1388180929] Julie, what is the story with swimming - allowed or not? [/quote] Now, I'm still waiting to hear - there is only one, very professional, place I will take him (there are loads of fun doggy swimming pools, but they wouldn't be suitable) and the owner and physio, are talking to the vet and surgeon. I think it's just Christmas that's got in the way of the information flows. Hope to hear soon. Post op, swimming should be possible from a few weeks in, timing again to be agreed between surgeon, vet and physio...it'll be a life saver, I'm sure...
Re: cruciate ligament One thing that has really helped recently, and in line with your previous comments Rachael, has been changing my approach to lead walks. I've been reading Turid Rugaas, she has such a gentle, sensitive, approach. He gets 6 x 15 - 20 mins walk a day now (one of 30 mins) - 6am, 9am, noon, 3pm, 6pm and 9pm. And he can stride out, or sniff, walk on the left, or right - but no pulling. It's much more relaxed, and he is mentally, if not physically, tired by this. As an added bonus, Turid's techniques allow me to move him on from a sniff anytime I want. He spends quite a bit of time in a strict shoulder in line with my knee heel, looking up at me, which I don't really want, but just ignore it and reward when he is looking forward. Which is odd, I think. But I'm glad to have my lead walking very sorted at least.
Re: cruciate ligament Charlie suddenly much worse today, he seems in a lot of pain. I can give him pain killers, but nothing else to be done right now. :'( :'( :'(
Re: cruciate ligament Poor Charlie and poor you xxx Rest up both of you, another day closer to Spring fun *hugs*
Re: cruciate ligament Julie i am so sorry so hear that, hope that he just slept funny on it and that he gets better throughout the day. Sending lots of higs and slobbery doggy kisses your way
