I haven't updated the blog because life has been boring. Koda has been on house arrest for 8 weeks to the day. He has only been outside to do his business on leash. Sometimes we would go outside and lay on the lawn, but he's really just been trapped in the house.
We did have one scary moment last week. We went out last Thursday to go potty, and Koda lifted up his leg. It broke my heart to see him holding it up. He three legged it back to the house, and I put him in the crate all day with Tramadol. But by that evening he was better and the surgeon just thought it was a hiccup.
He did well on Friday at physical therapy. He has been getting cold laser treatments regularly and is up to 7 minutes in the water treadmill. He doesn't get sore at all afterwards. He was also fine all weekend, but I was nervous going in today. I've waited 56 days for today, and I wanted to hear that we could start doing some short walks.
The vet tech took Koda back for xrays and when they came back the surgeon said Koda was ready to be out in the world. No restrictions other than being kept on leash and no running for another month. I can definitely live with that!!!! I'm so excited for both Koda and I. We can finally start to get our life back.
Tonight we celebrated by going to my parent's house for dinner. My mom and I took him and her dog for a walk just down the street to the corner and back. Koda was thrilled. He was on cloud nine, and didn't even care that this is probably 1/8 of the walk we used to do. He was so happy to be out in the world. I'm scared that tomorrow he will be in pain. See as much as I thought I was ready to let him out in the world; I've come to realize that it has felt good to protect him in the house.
The surgeon's office is emailing me Koda's xrays tomorrow. I will post as soon as I get them.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Koda is full of spunk today!
For every dog owner who has had to endure a cruciate injury one of the first things you will see is the lameness and limp, but you will also notice that your dog will not sit correctly. He/She will sit with the leg out and leaning on their other side. Koda has been doing this since his injury and up until Thursday. It was that day that I noticed that Koda was sitting funny. I stared at him trying to figure out what it was about his sit that was off, and then I noticed it! He was sitting correctly for the first time in two months and he's been doing it ever since. The small steps forward are very exciting.
He is also barely limping. Yesterday while we were waiting for physical therapy a woman asked me what we were there for. When I told her we were five weeks out of TPLO surgery her mouth dropped. She couldn't even see a limp at all. Now I can, but I don't think anyone else would notice it. He's also feeling really well today. He has been getting sore after PT. But not today. He's full of spunk and wants to play and go out. Of course he can't but he keeps wanting to engage me. I had to put his toy box up on the entertainment center because he kept wanting to get toys and balls out of it. I hate discouraging him, but we are still on time out as far as playing goes.
I'll get a new video today or tomorrow of him walking. It's very impressive!!
17 more days and we go in for Koda's 8 week checkup!!!
He is also barely limping. Yesterday while we were waiting for physical therapy a woman asked me what we were there for. When I told her we were five weeks out of TPLO surgery her mouth dropped. She couldn't even see a limp at all. Now I can, but I don't think anyone else would notice it. He's also feeling really well today. He has been getting sore after PT. But not today. He's full of spunk and wants to play and go out. Of course he can't but he keeps wanting to engage me. I had to put his toy box up on the entertainment center because he kept wanting to get toys and balls out of it. I hate discouraging him, but we are still on time out as far as playing goes.
I'll get a new video today or tomorrow of him walking. It's very impressive!!
17 more days and we go in for Koda's 8 week checkup!!!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
5 Weeks Post Op Today!
Life has been so busy. I swore that I would keep the blog up, but everything has just been so busy, and honestly maybe it's a good thing that I haven't felt like blogging. It means that Koda's recovery has been somewhat uneventful.
He's doing great. We are going to physical therapy weekly. He gets a cold laser treatment and then goes into the water treadmill. He's putting about 45:55 percent ratio on the legs now with just a slight drag on his operated leg. He looks great. He's putting his weight back on, and his muscle is starting to come back. It's truly been amazing to watch him heal so fast.
I had my mom take a video of his last physical therapy session on the treadmill. It was a little bit of a fail because I haven't cleaned off my memory card in my camera in a long time. The video cuts off about a minute into the walking, but you get a good look at how it all starts out.
3 more weeks and Koda goes in for his post-op xrays. I really do hope that we are able to start getting out of the house together!
He's doing great. We are going to physical therapy weekly. He gets a cold laser treatment and then goes into the water treadmill. He's putting about 45:55 percent ratio on the legs now with just a slight drag on his operated leg. He looks great. He's putting his weight back on, and his muscle is starting to come back. It's truly been amazing to watch him heal so fast.
I had my mom take a video of his last physical therapy session on the treadmill. It was a little bit of a fail because I haven't cleaned off my memory card in my camera in a long time. The video cuts off about a minute into the walking, but you get a good look at how it all starts out.
The goal was four minutes, but Koda did five without any lagging on that leg! If it were up to him he would've kept going. And yes we bribe him with cheese.
3 more weeks and Koda goes in for his post-op xrays. I really do hope that we are able to start getting out of the house together!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Koda Started Physical Therapy Today
Today was a big day for Koda. He started physical therapy at The Canine Rehabilitation Center. He was excited to leave the house, but when we got to the car and he realized that he was actually leaving he didn't want to go. He's been locked up inside. I think he's getting a little anxiety about leaving the house now.
When we got to the center, he figured out that it was a vet's office in about 30 seconds. He got scared and tried to climb up in my lap. Typical Koda nowadays. When we got in the room, he was still shaking and hiding behind the chair I was sitting in. I really wish I would've gotten pictures. The place is new and nice. The rooms are big and have mats. The vet came in and she was really nice. She sat on the floor with Koda and I and she went over everything. There was nothing too knew. We went over the injury and the healing process. I was once again warned that he has a 50% chance of blowing the ligament out in his other knee. We went over supplements and diet. I automatically loved her because she would stop mid-sentence and tell me how beautiful Koda is. She kept oohing over him. She got on my good side really quick. It's going to take Koda a bit more time to trust them after what he's been through.
She told me that Koda's quads are really tight from holding up the leg, but that he looks really good for only being three weeks out. He went into the hydrotherapy tank. I was surprised. He did really well. He hopped right in, because he had no clue what it was. I'm not sure if he'll do that next time. He stood still, no whining, while the water filled up, and he kind've didn't know what to do when the treadmill started but he got the hang of it quickly. I stood in front of the treadmill encouraging him to touch my hands with his nose to get him to walk. He kind've fell back when they sped it up, but he got back on track pretty quick. He only spent three minutes in there, but he didn't try ad run out when it was over. All in all it was a good experience.
After the treadmill, we laid on the matt together for his cold laser therapy treatment. This was a little bit trickier. I'm not sure why they make that thing beep over and over again. He wasn't into that and started to shake a little.
Next time that I get there, I want the tech to take a little walk with us. I want her to engage Koda a little bit more so he can become more comfortable with her. The tech is who we will be working with for the next five sessions until the vet comes back and sets Koda and I up with our at home physical therapy regimine.
There was one kind've cool thing. The vet said that it was good that Koda stretches his leg out straight all the time. I'm going to try and use the clicker to teach him this is a good behavior. If I can teach him to stretch on command then it would help us before and after treatments. As well as when he's all better and we can start hiking again!!
5 weeks left and Koda can get out of the expen!!!
When we got to the center, he figured out that it was a vet's office in about 30 seconds. He got scared and tried to climb up in my lap. Typical Koda nowadays. When we got in the room, he was still shaking and hiding behind the chair I was sitting in. I really wish I would've gotten pictures. The place is new and nice. The rooms are big and have mats. The vet came in and she was really nice. She sat on the floor with Koda and I and she went over everything. There was nothing too knew. We went over the injury and the healing process. I was once again warned that he has a 50% chance of blowing the ligament out in his other knee. We went over supplements and diet. I automatically loved her because she would stop mid-sentence and tell me how beautiful Koda is. She kept oohing over him. She got on my good side really quick. It's going to take Koda a bit more time to trust them after what he's been through.
She told me that Koda's quads are really tight from holding up the leg, but that he looks really good for only being three weeks out. He went into the hydrotherapy tank. I was surprised. He did really well. He hopped right in, because he had no clue what it was. I'm not sure if he'll do that next time. He stood still, no whining, while the water filled up, and he kind've didn't know what to do when the treadmill started but he got the hang of it quickly. I stood in front of the treadmill encouraging him to touch my hands with his nose to get him to walk. He kind've fell back when they sped it up, but he got back on track pretty quick. He only spent three minutes in there, but he didn't try ad run out when it was over. All in all it was a good experience.
After the treadmill, we laid on the matt together for his cold laser therapy treatment. This was a little bit trickier. I'm not sure why they make that thing beep over and over again. He wasn't into that and started to shake a little.
Next time that I get there, I want the tech to take a little walk with us. I want her to engage Koda a little bit more so he can become more comfortable with her. The tech is who we will be working with for the next five sessions until the vet comes back and sets Koda and I up with our at home physical therapy regimine.
There was one kind've cool thing. The vet said that it was good that Koda stretches his leg out straight all the time. I'm going to try and use the clicker to teach him this is a good behavior. If I can teach him to stretch on command then it would help us before and after treatments. As well as when he's all better and we can start hiking again!!
5 weeks left and Koda can get out of the expen!!!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
No More Limping for my Little Man
I am happy to announce that Koda woke up 18 days post op not limping yesterday. I didn't want to jump on and post it just in case it was a fluke, but he's hasn't limped now in two days. The leg looks good and strong. He still favors his other side a bit, but he's putting some good weight on it. It'll be exciting to get him into physical therapy on Tuesday. He still has a bit of a hop if he tries to go too fast, but that's to be expected.
Here's my attempt to videotape Koda walking yesterday while worrying about whether or not he's going to try and bolt.
5 weeks and two days left and Koda can be set free from the expen.
Here's my attempt to videotape Koda walking yesterday while worrying about whether or not he's going to try and bolt.
5 weeks and two days left and Koda can be set free from the expen.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Supplements, Medications, and Physical Therapy
Quick little update on Koda. He's doing great! He's still on expen arrest, but he has succumbed to being in the pen as his daily destiny. He goes out to potty, and these are usually three 5 minute walks around the complex. We take it really slow and he barely limps. I have stopped helping him walk by holding the handle on the harness. He's on his own. I only grab it and take some weight off of his leg if the walk goes past five minutes because he's trying to find the perfect spot to poop. He does cry a little everytime he goes number two. I'm not sure if it's the leg or his bootie that might hurt a little. He doesn't limp or show more pain afterwards. Poor Koda would be mortified if he knew I tell all of his business. He does have a scab at the top of where his stitches were. It's still red. I'm going to have my mom check it tomorrow.
I've gotten a few emails asking me what Koda's restrictions are, his medications, and what supplements I'm giving. When Koda came home from the hospital he was prescribed Tramadol. I also asked for Metacam just in case he had a reaction to the Tramadol. I didn't want to have to drive back later. Have I ever posted that his surgeon's office is a mile and a half away from my home? I sounded lazy when I typed that. I just didn't want to have to leave him.
Koda did not do well on Rimadyl when he was prescribed that the first day our usual vet saw him for lameness. He had GI issues that kept both of us up all night, and he became a complete jerk to strangers. Koda's always been laid back, but on Rimadyl he started barking and growling at people. I know this isn't a listed effect of the drug, however my surgeon's office said they had heard several owners claim the same side effect. His attitude problem went away once we stopped the Rimadyl.
Since Koda came home the same night, I also asked for a sedative and was given Acepromazine. This is how I feel; you're spending a good amount of money on the surgery, ask for all of the drugs you can get to make them comfortable. I have only had to use Ace twice: the night he came home and two days later when my neighbor's jerk dog tried to go after him. I only gave him a half of a pill each time. The stuff is potent.
The first few days I gave Koda Metacam at night, and Tramadol 2 times a day. After three days, the morophine left Koda's system and he was in more discomfort. I then gave him 3 Tramadols a day for 3 days. After that I went back to 2 times a day. After the two week mark, I went back to the Metacam giving it to him in the morning. I did have to give him Tramadol on Wednesday. He was panting in the evening and wouldn't settle down. Since then he's only needed the Metacam. It does seem to calm him down which is nice. Although Koda is a really chill dog inside the house. I will continue with the Metacam probably until I run out. Koda's doing really well with walking on the leg. I don't want to stop all of the pain meds and have him go lame. I want him to walk on it and get through physical therapy. Oh yeah, I will probably give him a Tramadol after PT sessions. I'll ask that vet what I should do.
As far as supplements go. There is so much information out there. Yahoo groups like orthodogs and ConservativeManagement have some good resources including lists in their files section and you can search within the messages. With that said, it becomes a bit overwhelming. My head was spinning with the different things I could give Koda: msm , glucosamin/chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, fish oil omega 3's, traumeel, zeel, arnica pellots, passionflower for a sedative, liquid yucca for an anti-inflammatory, vitamin c, e, and d. It's a lot to absorb.
My father has had multiple knee surgeries, and his surgeon has said that he will need to be on fish oil, glucosamine/chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid for the rest of his life. Koda too will have to be on these for the rest of his life. No one knows what glucosamine does, but it does slow down arthritis and promotes joint health. For now Koda is on liquid glucosamine/chondroitin with msm. He gets 2 T morning/evening. He then gets fish oil, 3 soft capsules in the morning. He gets hyaluronic acid in the evening. He also gets a multi-vitamin with his morning meal. I really hope it helps him to have a healthier life.
Tuesday we start physical therapy. It will be 3 weeks to the day from his surgery. We have a consultation and he will have a treatment. It will either be a cold laser one or hydrotherapy. I'll post more when I find out exactly what his plan will be.
Tomorrow I'll have a new walking video. He is walking so well. When he actually gets the chance to leave his expen.
I've gotten a few emails asking me what Koda's restrictions are, his medications, and what supplements I'm giving. When Koda came home from the hospital he was prescribed Tramadol. I also asked for Metacam just in case he had a reaction to the Tramadol. I didn't want to have to drive back later. Have I ever posted that his surgeon's office is a mile and a half away from my home? I sounded lazy when I typed that. I just didn't want to have to leave him.
Koda did not do well on Rimadyl when he was prescribed that the first day our usual vet saw him for lameness. He had GI issues that kept both of us up all night, and he became a complete jerk to strangers. Koda's always been laid back, but on Rimadyl he started barking and growling at people. I know this isn't a listed effect of the drug, however my surgeon's office said they had heard several owners claim the same side effect. His attitude problem went away once we stopped the Rimadyl.
Since Koda came home the same night, I also asked for a sedative and was given Acepromazine. This is how I feel; you're spending a good amount of money on the surgery, ask for all of the drugs you can get to make them comfortable. I have only had to use Ace twice: the night he came home and two days later when my neighbor's jerk dog tried to go after him. I only gave him a half of a pill each time. The stuff is potent.
The first few days I gave Koda Metacam at night, and Tramadol 2 times a day. After three days, the morophine left Koda's system and he was in more discomfort. I then gave him 3 Tramadols a day for 3 days. After that I went back to 2 times a day. After the two week mark, I went back to the Metacam giving it to him in the morning. I did have to give him Tramadol on Wednesday. He was panting in the evening and wouldn't settle down. Since then he's only needed the Metacam. It does seem to calm him down which is nice. Although Koda is a really chill dog inside the house. I will continue with the Metacam probably until I run out. Koda's doing really well with walking on the leg. I don't want to stop all of the pain meds and have him go lame. I want him to walk on it and get through physical therapy. Oh yeah, I will probably give him a Tramadol after PT sessions. I'll ask that vet what I should do.
As far as supplements go. There is so much information out there. Yahoo groups like orthodogs and ConservativeManagement have some good resources including lists in their files section and you can search within the messages. With that said, it becomes a bit overwhelming. My head was spinning with the different things I could give Koda: msm , glucosamin/chondroitin, hyaluronic acid, fish oil omega 3's, traumeel, zeel, arnica pellots, passionflower for a sedative, liquid yucca for an anti-inflammatory, vitamin c, e, and d. It's a lot to absorb.
My father has had multiple knee surgeries, and his surgeon has said that he will need to be on fish oil, glucosamine/chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid for the rest of his life. Koda too will have to be on these for the rest of his life. No one knows what glucosamine does, but it does slow down arthritis and promotes joint health. For now Koda is on liquid glucosamine/chondroitin with msm. He gets 2 T morning/evening. He then gets fish oil, 3 soft capsules in the morning. He gets hyaluronic acid in the evening. He also gets a multi-vitamin with his morning meal. I really hope it helps him to have a healthier life.
Tuesday we start physical therapy. It will be 3 weeks to the day from his surgery. We have a consultation and he will have a treatment. It will either be a cold laser one or hydrotherapy. I'll post more when I find out exactly what his plan will be.
Tomorrow I'll have a new walking video. He is walking so well. When he actually gets the chance to leave his expen.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Time to Set the New Milestone. The Stitches Are Gone.
Koda got his stitches out this morning. He's such a baby about going to the surgeon's office. The second we got in the building, his whole body started shaking. Then he refused to walk into the room. I had to carry him. I'm not going to force a dog with a broken leg to walk. I think the assistant thought I was crazy when I swooped him up and started walking. I've gotten really used to carrying Koda around. When we got in the room he wanted to climb behind me on the couch and hide. I have never seen a dog like Koda. So needy of my protection from everything scary. He's my sensitive boy.
The surgeon acknowledged the red spot on the top of his stitches, and told me to watch it. But he didn't feel like it warranted anti-biotics. He thought it was because Koda has licked it. I think Koda was having just having a reaction to his stitches. It looks a lot better tonight. I didn't get any pictures. I'll get one tomorrow if it's still there.
**Edit: Here's a picture of Koda right after his stitches came out**
We also got the go ahead for physical therapy. I called their office, but they didn't call me back today. I promise you this, I will bug them again tomorrow! I can't wait to get Koda into some therapy. He's gone from 52 pounds to less than 48 pounds, and he had no weight to lose before the injury. Atrophy has really set in. I have my concerns about Koda's reaction to the water treadmill. He's never been a water dog. But hey he might just end up liking it. That would be great. It gets hot here in California. I'd love it if Koda decided swimming is fun.
I'm not sure what I was expecting today; the surgeon to tell me that Koda could walk around free. It kind've bummed me out to find out that we still have six weeks of the expen at the very least. I'm going to admit that I let Koda out in the evening. He doesn't jump on furniture, just usually lays in my bedroom or by my feet chewing on a bullystick. He just likes to get out for a bit. Sshhh don't tell my surgeon.
The great news is that Koda is walking with barely any limp! He looks better than before the surgery. I'm thrilled. It's good at this early stage to see progress daily. It helps get through the monotony of sitting here and not being able to go anywhere. I did see the post op xrays today of the implants and screws. It was sad to know what exactly is in there. I should call them to see if they will send them to me so I can post them.
Our next milestone is six weeks away. It seems like forever right now, but the last two weeks flew by. I'm hoping the next six weeks will. This is when we go back to the surgeon's office and xray Koda's leg to see if the bones have grown back together and check out all the hardware. It's a shame. I will get to walk him again when it starts raining.
The surgeon acknowledged the red spot on the top of his stitches, and told me to watch it. But he didn't feel like it warranted anti-biotics. He thought it was because Koda has licked it. I think Koda was having just having a reaction to his stitches. It looks a lot better tonight. I didn't get any pictures. I'll get one tomorrow if it's still there.
**Edit: Here's a picture of Koda right after his stitches came out**
We also got the go ahead for physical therapy. I called their office, but they didn't call me back today. I promise you this, I will bug them again tomorrow! I can't wait to get Koda into some therapy. He's gone from 52 pounds to less than 48 pounds, and he had no weight to lose before the injury. Atrophy has really set in. I have my concerns about Koda's reaction to the water treadmill. He's never been a water dog. But hey he might just end up liking it. That would be great. It gets hot here in California. I'd love it if Koda decided swimming is fun.
I'm not sure what I was expecting today; the surgeon to tell me that Koda could walk around free. It kind've bummed me out to find out that we still have six weeks of the expen at the very least. I'm going to admit that I let Koda out in the evening. He doesn't jump on furniture, just usually lays in my bedroom or by my feet chewing on a bullystick. He just likes to get out for a bit. Sshhh don't tell my surgeon.
The great news is that Koda is walking with barely any limp! He looks better than before the surgery. I'm thrilled. It's good at this early stage to see progress daily. It helps get through the monotony of sitting here and not being able to go anywhere. I did see the post op xrays today of the implants and screws. It was sad to know what exactly is in there. I should call them to see if they will send them to me so I can post them.
Our next milestone is six weeks away. It seems like forever right now, but the last two weeks flew by. I'm hoping the next six weeks will. This is when we go back to the surgeon's office and xray Koda's leg to see if the bones have grown back together and check out all the hardware. It's a shame. I will get to walk him again when it starts raining.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)