Otter's Journey....

Beanwood

Administrator
Ooo I recognise that "TPLO shave down" look. The incision looks teeny though...amazing. She's looking really well and relaxed and that's quite a toy stash.
The shaving is quite extensive, but very neat, almost artistic! Otter had a nerve block as well as a light GA, so the depth of shaving was really to incorporate that. :)

How is Otter today? Here’s hoping for a calm, steady recovery!
Otter is doing really well this morning, moved her to a pen with a crate arrangement during the day, then back in the front room for the evening. This is just so we can work quietly and undisturbed on calming behaviours. Already if she sits when I enter the kitchen she gets teeny treats in her snuffle mat! Such a brave, good, and clever puppy! :inlove: I will note down her rehab in a bit...desperate for a another infusion of caffeine!
 

Beanwood

Administrator
Otters' Exercise Plan (shortened version) for the next 8 weeks

  • First 2 weeks, restricted to 5-min walks (garden on a lead) 3 - 4 times a day
  • Weeks 3 and 4, 10-min walks on a lead twice daily
  • From week 5 if Otters's lameness is improving - 15 - min walks, on a lead twice daily
  • From week 8: Otter can have 5 mins off lead at the end of the lead walks, and these periods can be increased by 5 mins each week
  • For the first 8 weeks, no dog play, jumping on /off furniture etc..
  • Otter should bear weight on the affected limb within a day or two of surgery
  • We should see a gradual but steady improvement in how Otter uses the leg
 
Otters' Exercise Plan (shortened version) for the next 8 weeks

  • First 2 weeks, restricted to 5-min walks (garden on a lead) 3 - 4 times a day
  • Weeks 3 and 4, 10-min walks on a lead twice daily
  • From week 5 if Otters's lameness is improving - 15 - min walks, on a lead twice daily
  • From week 8: Otter can have 5 mins off lead at the end of the lead walks, and these periods can be increased by 5 mins each week
  • For the first 8 weeks, no dog play, jumping on /off furniture etc..
  • Otter should bear weight on the affected limb within a day or two of surgery
  • We should see a gradual but steady improvement in how Otter uses the leg
This is more or less what Rourke is on at the present, but he is still on lead walks, up to 30 mins twice a day now!
 

Beanwood

Administrator
Day 3 - Post Op

Otter decided that at 5.17am it was time to get up. I am NOT good at 5 am! Of I stumble downstairs, then lead on, remember not to open front door first, chuck treats in her mouth, doing everything in my power to keep 4 paws on the ground. Seriously it is almost impossible! We get outside, Otter has a wee, and we potter around for a bit. We had just started to shape a stand, which is useful, as she has sussed out that she gets rewarded for being in this position. I pop her back to bed for an hour with a kong.

We have two crates set up, Loki sleeps in one overnight, then I swap it during the day, so Otter gets the crate and the pen, then settles around dinner time in the front room crate.

It is proving very challenging! I feel terribly sorry for Otter, she just wants to run and jump. It does help planning activities and the day in advance, so I can create lovely rich sniffing opportunities outside.

Here she is having a bit of "pen time" :inlove:


 

HAH

Moderator
Location
Devon, UK
Oh, you’re doing sooo well :inlove: it must be so tough to constantly be monitoring her exuberance. Hopefully it’ll pass quickly :fingers:

She’s using that leg brilliantly isn’t she?! No worries there - and plenty of front leg action, which needs back leg stability so she’s not even going gingerly with it. You’ve absolutely done the right thing. She looks so good x
 

Beanwood

Administrator
She’s using that leg brilliantly isn’t she?! No worries there - and plenty of front leg action, which needs back leg stability so she’s not even going gingerly with it.
Yes, she is not afraid to use it at all. She is even bending the knee to crawl under my legs when I sit outside on our little wall. I don't ask her too, but it was something she was learning to do before everything went tits up. I don't think she would offer behaviours if they were uncomfortable.
 

Joy

Location
East Sussex
She looks very comfortable and waggy! It's such a shame she injured herself, but hopefully in a few months it will all be a bad memory.
 

Beanwood

Administrator
Bless her! Half turkey, half puppy! Turpup? Turpy? Sounds better than turdog, although sometimes that seems quite fitting for my lot...
Her bottom is shaved too, think she is a bit embarrassed about that! :hug:

Just been for a little walk, which she enjoyed. I had set it up earlier with some teeny tiny bits of very smelly treats, and her favourite snuffle ball at the end. She is now all tuckered out and asleep in her crate. Will upload the video later. Interesting to see how she is walking and compare a few days down the line. The sensory walk is good as it keeps all four paws on the ground and is deeply satisfying for her. Any tension on the lead, I click and she gets a treat, this helps to "reset" and I encourage her gently to go "hunting" again. Any brief look back at me also gets rewarded, so for Otter it is a win win! :sun::celebrate:
 
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