Such good news glad to hear he is doing well. I used to manage my walks by distance. I'd very rarely go from the house but get in the car and drive somewhere, it would be a case of walk to the lamp post and back again and then the next lamp post etc. I can't tell you how delighted I was one day when we were actually out of sight of the car. As Rosemary (MaccieD) says it is so nice to have something positive to aim for. I'm really hoping you don't encounter too many thoughtless dog owners, unfortunately I did. I learnt very quickly to be assertive and ask people to keep their distance. Mabel like Denzel believed she was a super dog and wanted to play.
Hi, I have to say Denzel is a very laid back lab in the house which has helped enormously. We have taken him back to basic training and had him staying on his bed even when he wants to move away we have had to be really strick. I read on the forum about filling kongs with his food so this has also kept him occupied. We both took time off work so we have been around for the first couple of weeks of recovery but are confident he knows his limit. I think the pain killers would have made him quiet lethargic anyway but know he's off then we just need to ensure he's occupied in the right way.
Hi everyone an update on Denzel, after a few wobbles with introducing his limited exercise and back to bed rest, I felt pretty deflated after 3 days off 3 min walks and he then start limping again so I can only imagine how it felt! We are 2 weeks back into walking and building upto 8 minutes by the end of next week but he is looking stronger. We introduced hydrotherapy on Friday which was all so new to him and he was a bag of nerves which is the first time I saw him like this but with lots of coaxing him he managed 3 very short swims. We are going to continue him once a week and based on what the vet had said it will strengthen his muscles both side with a little preparation for his right leg in September
All a bit to quick! We're going to let him have a break after the recommended 12 week recovery before we go back for his post op check as the vets wants to straight into operate on his right leg but at the moment we think we will hold it back dependant on how he is. Thank you for the suggestion of the ramps a lovely neighbour has built them for the garden as we have numerous stairs and he has taken to them very well. Kongs have occupied him and we are now introducing clicker training to get him walking to heal better than he did before in the garden. A great opportunity to take him back to basics and I look forward to walking him with his friends very soon.
Hi there - it's such a tough time doing those many short exercise walks. I haven't done it for elbow dysplasia, but post cruciate op. You think the regime will never end! But it does, eventually, and life returns to more normality. Stick with it, stay strong, you are doing a great job for your boy.
It certainly is a tough time, it will end and I know from experience it feels as though you are both on some kind of life sentence. I was only thinking of you this morning while Mabel and I were on our morning walk, thanks for the update. We are about to embark on restricted exercise and surgery but that's for another post I shan't hijack yours You are indeed doing a brilliant job, keep going. Mabel sends Dexter a big Labrador lick and you of course.
W Thank you Julie I've just read on your update, sorry to hear about Mabel, I've posted a little note for you. Denzel is on week 2 of hydrotherapy which I have to say this time it was a lot more positive than the first time as everything is so new. I'm so conscious I want to be in the after with him but I'm not the expect and I had to trust the team who look after him for his session know what they are doing! We have 4 weeks left to his post op check but as his right elbow needs doing they want to go straight into surgery after his post op and I have to say we are slightly nervous to go ahead with this. I suppose it's based on that he isn't favouring any leg at the moment and no signs of him lipping on the right leg at all. It's hard to decided when to do it as we know based on the vets feedback he will need to have this done eventually and whilst he is young and healthy it's probably the right thing to do. We like you have a holiday in September in the new forest so we would love him to run around a little and live a dogs life for a few weeks and then review him them. Wouldn't it be lovely if by the hydrotherapy it strengths his right leg and we can hopefully delay his surgery! I hope Mabel mends soon X
Glad all is going well with Denzel, Hydrotherapy should strength his muscles. I know what you mean about trusting the experts. It is so incredibly difficult, you will make the right decision for your boy. If I remember correctly Denzel's 4.5 years old so I can see why your vet wants it done quickly. Mabel's 19 months and they won't be doing the left next but the specialist has said it doesn't mean he won't perform the surgery in the future. Keep going you are doing a splendid job. X
