4 weeks post op CCL surgery-let the walks begin!!!

Four weeks ago today, Bohdi was dropped off at 7 in the morning at our veterinarian's office for surgery to stabilize his knee (also called the stifle joint) after a cranial cruciate ligament tear. (Please read prior posts)


At this moment, he is fast asleep at my feet. We have stopped using the superyard and he roams the house freely. We have to watch him carefully because at times he will try to play and dash around. We don't want the tightrope to fail or the other knee for that matter.  He has been swimming for therapy. He hates the life vest he has to wear so he would rather prefer a walk or to have free range of the pool sans vest.


We get to start short walks now; short as in to the end of the block and back. We will wait until Monday (today is Wed) of next week to start as we still have some warm weather and I would prefer to swim this weekend. I don't want to overwork him. We need to start slow. I wonder what the neighbors will think when they see me walk him. We will be out for such a short distance they will probably think I have agoraphobia or something. hehehehe


As far as his progress goes, I can't say there is huge improvement in his walk as he never really favored it anymore after the surgery as he does now. I suppose I will have to consult a physical therapist for ideas to get him to really start using the leg to avoid atrophy and grow so muscle. I saw a video of a dog being led over obstacles he had to step over, but I am not sure how many weeks post surgery he was. There were balance activities as well. Any ideas on how to make a dog sized teeter-totter?  Some days he is obviously more sore than others. He will lay down and "stare" at his knee like he is irritated at it. I do want to start weaning him down from daily Dermaxx as well. I found this info online regarding long term use and I am not so keen on daily dosing. http://www.vetinfo.com/arthritis-treatment-deramaxx.html

I think Bohdi may be getting a little depressed. It is time to lower meds and add new activity. In 5-6 weeks I will be caring for a new baby as well as my four legged boy. Keeping both happy may be a challenge. Oh, and his hair is growing back very slowly.

Bohdi's First Swim (VIDEO and PICTURES) 3 weeks post op

I have been taking Bohdi into the pool. At first I tried without a swim vest but quickly realized how much easier it would be with a vest.  I can hold him in one place without having to support his weight.  It also has made assisting him out of the pool a lot easier. I had my daughter film the first day as he took his first laps. He was a bit nervous but really does love the water. He is used to the vest now and knows it means he's swimming. We will be working up our time to two 10 minute sessions for now. We take breaks in between. My pool isn't as hot as a standard therapy pool (which is usually in the high 80's) so I want to make sure he is comfortable. I'll tell you, this is great that he can go swimming again. It is part of my "preggo-therapy" as well.  He and I are both happy to have each other through this *uncomfortable* phase of our lives.

On another note, we are down to only 50 mg of Tramadol at night plus the Dermax in the morning. Still taking the 1500 mg of Shift Glucosamine as well. We've taken down the superyard, but kept out some sections to use as barriers/gates. We block of the front door and sometimes the kitchen. Seems we are doing good!!!!

On a Mission:

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