My dog, a previously hyper-active mixed-terrier, had surgery on her rear leg to correct a torn ligament. Six weeks have passed now since the stitches were removed and she still hobble-hops around on three legs, keeping the injured leg raised.
The muscle-tone is turning to mush from lack of use and I am concerned that the leg is remaining useless and will require further scrutiny.
2006-09-01 12:12:05 · 6 answers · asked by lalanmeyer 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It can take a while to recover from CRUCIATE surgery. Talk to your vet for specific information. It can be retorn, so be careful!!!
2006-09-01 12:16:47 · answer #1 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best way is to put the dog into a pool and support her front legs and allow her back legs to swim. This is an excellent form of exercise for the injured tendon, since the water provides no Resistance. If you can do 2 20 minute sessions per day for 2 weeks, she should be almost healed up and all exercised up.
Once she is mostly healed, you can teach her to stand on her back legs and entice her to walk a few inches = You can probably turn this into a fun dance or freestyle routine.
Have you ever seen a dog freestyle obedience exhibition? If not I highly recommend that you attend one - You will either love it or hate it and I absolutely love this sport.
2006-09-01 12:26:55 · answer #2 · answered by Angel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask your vet.
Swimming in a warm pool or tub is the best way to begin therapy. Then, when the leg is stronger and when your vet says it is ok, you can try putting a bandage on the good rear foot to encourage her to put the bad one down.
2006-09-01 12:26:22 · answer #3 · answered by Danger, Will Robinson! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is there a way that you can take her swimming. Water is a great therapy for dogs that have gone through this kind of surgery. It is also a painless way of excercising that area.
2006-09-04 08:30:03 · answer #4 · answered by HOTINFLORIDA 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check with your vet. When my rabbit was recovering from leg surgery, they had me put him on his back and gently push on his foot, so he would kind of kick back on my hand. It was a game for him, and it did help keep his foot strong. Is there anything food or toy-wise he goes nuts for? Maybe using that as a throw toy, he'll be so jazzed to get to it that he'll forget about babying the leg.
Good luck!
2006-09-01 12:26:17 · answer #5 · answered by thevampy1 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If it's a small dog, get it to lay or sit by you and exercise the leg for him. Hopefully she will let you do that.
2006-09-01 12:16:17 · answer #6 · answered by phoenixheat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋