Since my last blog entry I've been paying more attention to the little details about how Winston uses/doesn't use his back legs. For a long time after his last surgery, he wouldn't fully stand on his left hind leg. Most of his weight was on the right leg and he had the left foot down, but I could tell it was more for balance than anything else.
Lately I've been noticing that he really looks like he's standing on that leg. I can see that the toes are more splayed on the right foot than on the left foot, so I suspect that there's still more weight on the right leg than the left, but he's doing better. He also doesn't shuffle around as much to push off with the right leg when he stands up. Again, it's still the right leg doing most of the work, but there's definitely some left leg use.
Amazing how little improvements like this make my day!
October 19, 2010
October 1, 2010
5 months post TPLO explant
I can't believe that it's been 5 months already!
I'm happy to report that Winston is doing pretty well. We can walk 3 decent length walks (we're limited by his size and ability to cool himself down at this time of year before we're limited by his back legs). He also gets some free times in the entire yard, but we can't do that daily or he reaches a tipping point where he gets too sore and then we have to cut back on all exercise. We limit this to every other day or every third day. He won't restrict himself, so we have to evaluate how sore he seems before we open the gate between the yards.
He's still on pain meds, and that's how it will be for the rest of his life. We've been able to cut back the dosage a bit as long as we manage his exercise.
He's still got some muscle atrophy in his back legs, but not too bad. I also notice that he doesn't fully use the left hind leg. For example, when he stands up, he shuffles his back legs around under him until he gets the right one in place, and he uses that one as his "push off" leg.
He runs and plays soccer with his big green horse ball, and is generally a happy guy, so we can live with the restrictions that we've got.
I'm happy to report that Winston is doing pretty well. We can walk 3 decent length walks (we're limited by his size and ability to cool himself down at this time of year before we're limited by his back legs). He also gets some free times in the entire yard, but we can't do that daily or he reaches a tipping point where he gets too sore and then we have to cut back on all exercise. We limit this to every other day or every third day. He won't restrict himself, so we have to evaluate how sore he seems before we open the gate between the yards.
He's still on pain meds, and that's how it will be for the rest of his life. We've been able to cut back the dosage a bit as long as we manage his exercise.
He's still got some muscle atrophy in his back legs, but not too bad. I also notice that he doesn't fully use the left hind leg. For example, when he stands up, he shuffles his back legs around under him until he gets the right one in place, and he uses that one as his "push off" leg.
He runs and plays soccer with his big green horse ball, and is generally a happy guy, so we can live with the restrictions that we've got.
July 18, 2010
10.5 weeks post TPLO explant
It's been a bit of a roller coaster since Winston got his hardware removed. He has had kind of a rough time and I questioned the decision more than once. At the same time, I really don't think the main problem is the hardware or the removal. He's just a big guy and he's got arthritis and it's just going to get worse over time.
He's on pain pills for the rest of his life, and some days seem to be better (or worse) than others. Yesterday was one of those days, and today there's some lingering soreness.
At the same time, he's a pretty happy dog and he gets to play and he can go for "normal" walks and life is getting back to normal for us. I just think the definition of "normal" is slightly different now than it was before.
He's on pain pills for the rest of his life, and some days seem to be better (or worse) than others. Yesterday was one of those days, and today there's some lingering soreness.
At the same time, he's a pretty happy dog and he gets to play and he can go for "normal" walks and life is getting back to normal for us. I just think the definition of "normal" is slightly different now than it was before.
May 11, 2010
Day 5 post left TPLO "explant"
Not much change between yesterday and today other than today Winston stood up to eat instead of being served in bed. He also seemed a little more concerned about me doing his leg exercises. He's been standing up more, so maybe his leg is a bit more sore? He doesn't really stand on it yet (still), so I'm unsure. Still no word on the results of the lab culture, and as far as I'm concerned no news is good news.
Winston's incision looks good. The swelling is going down and his skin doesn't feel as warm as it did on day one.
Today it's rainy and gloomy and Winston wanted to wander around the yard during his potty breaks, but we don't want his incision getting wet, so that didn't happen. He's bored in his pen, but doing ok.
Winston's incision looks good. The swelling is going down and his skin doesn't feel as warm as it did on day one.
Today it's rainy and gloomy and Winston wanted to wander around the yard during his potty breaks, but we don't want his incision getting wet, so that didn't happen. He's bored in his pen, but doing ok.
May 10, 2010
Day 4 post left TPLO "explant"
Winston continues to get better. He is moving more easily today and when I did his leg exercises, he just relaxed onto his side and seemed unconcerned. I was able to do a full bicycle motion today.
When standing, he is still toe-touching, but when he walks, he is putting even more weight on the leg than he has in a month. The back pad of his foot looks fully engaged, and his back looks straight as he walks.
Today is the first day I don't feel so guilty about putting him through yet another surgery. I'm hopeful that he can get to a more "normal"state.
Today is also the first day that I might have heard a result of the lab culture (though maybe that depends on when the sample got to the lab... so realistically maybe tomorrow would be the first day). No news at this point is good news. I'm hoping for the best.
Winston's incision looks good, and some of the swelling has started to go down.
When standing, he is still toe-touching, but when he walks, he is putting even more weight on the leg than he has in a month. The back pad of his foot looks fully engaged, and his back looks straight as he walks.
Today is the first day I don't feel so guilty about putting him through yet another surgery. I'm hopeful that he can get to a more "normal"state.
Today is also the first day that I might have heard a result of the lab culture (though maybe that depends on when the sample got to the lab... so realistically maybe tomorrow would be the first day). No news at this point is good news. I'm hoping for the best.
Winston's incision looks good, and some of the swelling has started to go down.
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