PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 22, 2018 9:43:56 GMT -7
Darlene, hope it was just a matter of mornings being slow to get active and a better steadiness and gait. Seems that may be the case since he did improve by evening.
How's his poop more back to normal, still on Pro-Pectilin (Kaolin, Pectin,Enterococcus faecium)?
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Post by Darlene & Paco on Jul 22, 2018 11:40:05 GMT -7
His pooh has been fine for almost 2 weeks. I would like to try and ween him off it completely. He sees holistic vet for last scheduled electro acupuncture on Tuesday 7/24 and I will ok it with her. He is still taking propectilin 1/2 tab once every morning.
He has 5 more physical therapy sessions at apx 1 per week.. basically she does it and shows me what he needs to work on and I do it at home. He has 4 more class 4 lazer treatments we will do the same place he gets physical therapy. I tried taking him to neighbor's pool 2 weeks ago and he didn't like the pool, with or without the life vest. He just needs to get used to it I guess, he never has relaxed when we go near water. She has a farm and he loves exploring the property. He is not a water dog at all so i only stayed about 10 minutes with him twice in the pool, I didn't want to stress him. He doesn't seem so wobbly today and has been his chipper playful self throughout this liltte wobbly stage. I set the camera on him while he was home alone today in crate and it only recorded for 3 minutes but when dad got home he had his covers and padding all messed up so he did some protesting I guess and didn't eat his favorite peanut butter kong. Thanks for the reply Darlene and Paco
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 22, 2018 12:56:21 GMT -7
Darlene, glad to hear poop back to normal!!
The type of water therapy that probably would be best suited is that of practicing what he is supposed to be improving. In a swimming pool he would be practicing swimming skills which are very different than that of walking. Do you have a beach or pond nearby? They he can wade ankle to chest high and practice walking along the shoreline. A child's $10 wading pool can also be an avenue for practice walking in water that gives resistance. Walking in sand is also quite a good work out in balance, texture, etc.
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Post by Darlene & Paco on Jul 23, 2018 5:32:19 GMT -7
We do have a few springs for wading and when we would go before he would NOT get close to water, stays about a foot away. I have always had to pick him up and put feet in just a little in hopes he would see its ok but never liked it so I didn't see the need to push it at that time It was easier to leave him home when we did water activities. All the beaches are a hour drive so we will try a baby pool. Thankyou Darlene and Paco
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Post by Julie & Perry on Jul 23, 2018 8:40:23 GMT -7
My Nala was not a fan when we did hydrotherapy. However, very tasty treats she only got when doing it helped. Of course in very small portions to help keep weight down.
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Jul 23, 2018 8:46:35 GMT -7
Darlene, a good point by Julie...make the water PT a fun event. You can use some lo cal small pieces of carrot or apple for him to bob for as he walks in the water. My dog loves tennis balls so that toy was her treat and incentive to walk. More ideas for you about at home water therapy here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/watertherapy.htm
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Post by Darlene & Paco on Aug 6, 2018 7:03:26 GMT -7
14 week update Paco slowly showing progress with wobble walking and not so huntched back. Not liking kiddie pool at all still but I have started walking him in higher grass to help build strength in back end muscles. PT at hime and with vet every 2 weeks and lazer therapy. This week will be his last electro acupuncture, due to cost.. maybe again in a month. He is slowly weaning off propectilin less than 1/4 ab once aday doing well so far. Chicken breast and kibble diet.
Last week i let him off leash in my daughter's small fenced in yard and as soin as leash was off he went hog wild ripping and running falling and getting back up over and over dor about 3 minutes till i was able to stop him and put him back on leash... I was affraid he would do something to hurt his back. I will ask PT vet bit Im sure shes going to say let him do it. I dont have fenced in yard so hes been on leash outside for 15 weeks and before that he had freedom of a country dog. Im working on fencing the yard but the cost is too much for at least a few months. Any thoughts or Ideas would be appreciated.
Ps playpen for sleeping in bedroom may be a issue soon, he was caught jumping on sides wanting out when i left him so i could go to bathroom this morning. Im not sure its safe for ramps yet due to his wobbling. He good on flat level surface and we practice outside in small hills, not so good.. sometimes tilts..falls down. I hope its just muscles and we continue to see improvement. His PT vet said he may not get any better with walking and she was impressed with the fact hes doing so well. Thanks for everyone's continued support and helpful ideas. Love Paco and Darlene
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Aug 6, 2018 10:52:34 GMT -7
Darlene, good to hear you are seeing progress with nerve healing. Sorry the pool was not to his liking...but the tall grass is and gives him a work out! Dogs have continued nerve healing even close to a year out...so it is still early in the nerve healing department. Your keeping up with PT at home with leash walking, which IS practicing what he is supposed to be learning to get better atis a good thing! Good job there and good job in wisely fitting things to work within your family budget. IF you get/make a ramp make sure there are sides to keep him from taking a short cut jump off on them. Training is also a good thing to learn how to use a ramp. Did you see the ramp training info and video here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/ramptrain.htm More discussion on DIY ramps here: dodgerslist.boards.net/thread/867/rampsLearning to not jump against the sides of his bedtime suite is also trainable. Avoid rewarding him for jumping. turn your back immediately and ignore him As soon as you see he has calmed himself and back to 4-on-the-floor then quickly mark that good behavior with a "yes" approval. Immediately followup with a treat and good boy. Randomly through out the day as you see he is sitting or four on the floor, approve with a "yes" and immediate follow up with a small treat and good boy. Ignoring bad behavior by turning your back PLUS rewarding the behavior you approve of should soon have Paco wanting to please you to get those "yes's" and that follow up treat.
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