Yesterday we went to Greyfriars for a physio assessment. One of the motivations for this is that you have to get clearance from physio before an injured dog can swim or go on the treadmill. And to be quite frank, I want Charlie to go on the treadmill because it gives him a good work out and then I get some peace! In terms of exercise, I'd like him to swim, really. But I know better than to ask for that. Lots of places do let dogs pre and post cruciate op swim, but not Greyfriars. They think that the sideways forces of the water are not good for cruiciate cases, and prefer the dog to be in the water treadmill where the leg stays straight (and they have a therapist behind the dog guiding the leg to make sure that is the case). So we had a full assessment, and Charlie is doing great. They agreed that if he is still doing as well at 6 weeks he can start the treadmill then. They were going to say after his x-ray check on 20th July, but then agreed to see him again at 6 weeks. So fingers crossed (I booked a treadmill slot for then, in hope....). We have a range of straightforward physio exercises to do, which we've done before. Charlie is really, really rubbish at standing still to be examined or to have people manipulate him for physio exercises. He just thinks "play time!" and rolls on his back like an 8 week old puppy, pawing his legs in the air and mouthing hands. He's two and a bit now! Honestly...so I'll try work on that a bit too. He was all over the physio for cuddles and play, and just would not be serious! We put Charlie back in the car in the end, and I got my tuition on how to do the exercises correctly using a staff dog - a lovely border collie that was super well behaved. Charlie...sigh...gotta love him. They did say they thought he was better than when they had last seen him, "but still Charlie".....
Sounds as if Charlie is making good progress and enjoyed meeting the physio staff . Fingers crossed for the treadmill.
Pleased to hear that Charlie is progressing well. I'm sure you feel encouraged to have a good report.
Charlie will always be Charlie, even when he is old and grey I bet he'll still roll around like a puppy, mouthing hands and waving his paws in the air
Glad hear he is doing well - hope you get on the treadmill soon. (I have a "pawer and mouther" too - incorigable But we love them anyway )
Well, we haven't been having the best time with Charlie boy, unfortunately. Physically, he still seems to be doing very well but over the last few days he's been getting a bit distressed. He was howling in his crate when left at an unusual time, and became very nervous outside the house - at very routine things, people coming out of houses, car doors slamming, a gatepost smelling different and so on. He's no longer on any drugs or anything like that. I have upped his activity in the house - started doing some basic clicker training (although there is a pitifully limited range of things that are suitable for him right now) and been spending a lot more time interacting with him (not that I was ignoring him anyway ). One of the things that seems to have helped is to have him off lead in the house a bit more. The instructions for this stage are "on a lead or in a crate at all times" - this is because you can't risk the dog running to the front door, or jumping on the sofa or - horrors - having a butt tuck round the room (all things that Charlie is very likely to do). But we've put up some more gates, and turned over bits of furniture and generally rearranged so there are more rooms that Charlie can be off lead in. Poor boy, that still just sounds so restrictive doesn't it? I thought though, that the two worst things about the restrictions would be a) not being allowed to blast off energy but also b) a lack of freedom - no choices. So, the second one I have being trying to address, by giving him choices as much as possible. Even if that's where to lie down. Anyway, he was much, much better tonight and even walked by a couple of dogs without reacting (he wouldn't normally, but he has been jumping all over the place at the sight of other dogs lately). So things seem a bit better....I also bought some barker and barker very tiny treats (thanks Naya, I think, for mentioning those) so I've been able to shovel treats in to walk past scary things (a house, 2 doors up, for example - which he suddenly reacts to like the hounds of hell are on his heels ). So, worrying, but things don't seem to be getting any worse anyway... Here his is disemboweling his mongoose after a quiet tuggy game. Poor mongoose, it's been through such a lot already. It spent 4 months in a very tall hedge at gundog training (I'd thrown it as a reward and it got stuck - I got it back later in the year when they cut the hedge). mongoose by julieandcharlie julieandcharlie, on Flickr
Sorry to hear that Poor lad, it must be so confusing for him. I think you're right that the effect on his mind is probably more profound than that on his body - just like us really. I think you're doing the right thing, just making the most of every little opportunity for mental exercise. Good news about Mongoose though
Sorry to hear Charlie has been getting distressed by things. Tough for you all, especially as its nigh on impossible to change the daily routine to any great degree. Hope this evening's improvement in his mood continues and it's just been a temporary blip.
mmmm....it's a worry. So very out of character for Charlie. I honestly do not think that I have seen him actually scared before - ever. I can't remember ever seeing him scared before. Startled at something, sure, but not scared. I have been reading Patricia McConnell who had a dog on an extended period of rest with a shoulder injury and, interestingly, her high energy dog was much worse with a series of short walks than nothing at all. She put forward the theory that a short walk was enough to "wake him up" and then left him intensely frustrated when she turned for home so soon. In the end, she stopped and the dog became a little depressed and quiet but she thought that was better. Anyway. That's all well and good but I can't see me abandoning the walking programme the surgeon says he needs to do.... He was fine tonight. So just have to cross fingers, really. I can't think of anything else to do. I can't walk him in other areas - I can't risk off lead dogs approaching him, and I can't risk him getting over excited. I can't give him any more freedom in the house than I have now arranged. And I can't introduce dogs or people to him - the risks are too high. Roll on 20th July when the restrictions relax a bit (not all that much though). And hydro in 3 weeks. That'll help.
Sorry to hear Charlie is struggling at the minute . I think you might be right about walking being too stimulation which turns to frustration. I know you will find a way to manage it x
The poor mongoose probably wishes it had stayed in the hedge as Charlie's taking out his frustrations on it! I hope he feels less worried soon - you're obviously putting a lot of time and effort into his recovery. My old collie cross had hydrotherapy on a water treadmill after her cruciate op. it was a great help in building up the strength in her leg again once she was able to be more mobile.
Poor lad.... Restrictions and recuperations are no fun. I'm sure things will improve along with increases in freedoms. Was a good idea to provide more choice in the house.
You see you might be living life on lockdown but you always,always are able to formulate a plan that provides a solution.Bless you,it must be exhausting though.I think you are wonderful,You roll with the punches that come along marvelously.We've all said it before but I'll say it again Charlie is so lucky to have you both. Time is passing all the time,it might feel very slooooooooow but you are getting through xxx
Very sorry to read about the problems , it must be a worry to see Charlie like this . Try to think how depressed he was at rehab last time Julie , at least he is home and with you both. poor lamb .
Thanks all. Yes, it's a worry. Goodness knows what he is going to be like around others dogs when we return to exercise. Absolutely barking mad I should think. Oh well. Not a lot to be done.. . I honestly don't know that he is better off at home. While he was a bit depressed in the rehab centre, the mild depression was very temporary and at least there were other dogs around. whereas some of this behaviour - if it persists - will change our lives, particularly living in London.
Oh, poor Charlie. He does sound a bit depressed. Still, even if he doesn't understand, you know that this is only temporary and things will get better, given a little time. I would hope that any behaviours he is exhibiting now will fade once he's back to full fitness, and you'll have your same nutty Charlie back. I don't think you should focus on the chance of them persisting too much at the moment; you just don't know this is going to happen. But if he does continue to show signs of timidness, then you will approach it in your normal pragmatic way, by working slowly and rebuilding his confidence again. Poor lad just doesn't understand why things have changed so much recently.
We are having to restrict Caspers walks, but for very different reasons. We are training him a "watch me" cue which is basically to "watch" me, eventually this will turn into an automatic response when meeting a trigger in our case other on lead dogs. I was wondering if this might be a useful cue with Charlie, more as a sort of safety net and to help prevent the risk of learned reactivity. You probably have something like this already in your repertoire of cues with Charlie. Treats..we have found a low calorie treat available (when in stock) by Orejen at Zooplus. They are only 7 calories per treat and are a decent size for a labrador mouth, not too tiny http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/dogs/dog_treats_chews/orijen/412848
Oh I do hope Charlie's recent worries are only temporary for you both. I agree with the others that he has amazing caretakers that put thought and effort into every aspect of his recovery and well being. He is a fortunate and well loved boy (and awfully cute ). Hoping he is hoolie Charlie again soon.
