Lucy's ACL rehab progress

[Bers]

I thought I'd make a new thread, since that other one is ridiculously long already from all my kvetching!

Joe walked Lucy last night, he said it was for 5-8 minutes. She seemed to be slightly sore last night when I took her out for her last potty, but I suspect that had more to do with the long car ride yesterday and the excitement at the clinic because she is always very hyper and won't relax for much of the time in the car.

I just walked her for about 7 minutes, but it was a pretty slow walk, with her stopping to sniff and mark in a couple of yards. I have no idea how far it was in distance. But she walked with barely a hint of a limp, and she went right up the three steps to the porch like she never missed a beat.

I had to put her old coat on her because it's so cold out there, and it actually fits now (although still a tiny big snug) that she lost a few pounds. She's at 53 pounds, and that's right where I'd like to keep her, although honestly some of her loss (from 58 to 53 pounds) could be due to muscle loss as well which is going to start coming back now that she is exercising daily. Will monitor weight closely as things progress.

[Bugsys Mom]

I am so glad to hear the poor girl can finally get out and enjoy some fresh air.  You are doing  a great job with her Amber!   

[Samsons Mom]

glad to hear she feelin a little better

[BoxerWB]

Have you been rubbing her down after your short walks? I'll have to look in my book to figure out the right way to explain it, but I sort of rub Xena's leg "against the grain" and I can tell when it feels nice 'cause she stretches it out for me. I also massaged her teeny little calf muscle to keep it from getting tight.

Honestly, though, as long as you do it so Lucy likes it, any rubbing/massage is bound to help her loosen up without needing to know any formal "strokes."

[blynn03]

Glad she's doing well!!!

[Bers]

Thanks for the reminder. I wasn't thinking about massaging after the walk, but I have been massaging her leg usually whenever I get her out of the crate. She seems to really enjoy it.

[Bumpy]

Good news! Glad things are progressing.

[Bers]

Lucy is enjoying her daily exercise and wants to walk further and faster than I am comfortable with! She gives me the stink eye when I tell her it's time to turn around and go back home.

At two 5-10 minute daily walks she is showing some minor signs of soreness in the evening, but overall is handling the increased activity very well. She is no longer on pain medication at all, so I think the level of soreness is probably normal for the first few days of exercise following four weeks of none at all.

I do wonder if the increased activity has increased her appetite, because she is begging for dinner well before dinner time. We're going to increase her food by half a cup a day and see how it goes.

Four more days on the antibiotics and she will be off all meds. As long as no signs of infection come back, and I have no reason to think they will, then she will be well on the road to recovery.

[Rubidawg]

YAY Lucy Lu!!!! Sounds like she's doing great, Amber. LOL@ the sthink eye.  I think the massages would definitely help with the soreness in the evenings, and I'm sure she enjoys em. Can't wit til she's off the meds and its a good report! Fingers crossed!

[boxer pal]

I've been trying to skim through all the details of Lucy's surgery and progress and I'm so glad she's doing so well!  You have some mighty good patience and have done an amazing job to bring her along this long road to recovery!   

[Bers]

Lucy is walking twice a day now, for 10-15 minutes each time. She is no longer showing any signs of soreness, and seems to be walking with barely a limp. Even though we keep increasing the distance of her walks, she is still never ready to turn around and wants to keep walking and walking.

We have great news too! We were able to come up with a little extra money so that Lucy can start water therapy rehab next week at Canine Underwater Treadmill in Centerville! We are excited for her to get started, I think it will really help speed up her recovery process.

[Christen83]

Glad she's on the road to recovery, I'm sure limiting exercise has to be a pain.  Sounds like you'll be in my neck of the woods for the water therepy (good to know that's available in the area though I hope I never need it)

[Rubidawg]

YAY Lucy Lu!!! So glad she's doing better, Amber. And I'm even more ecstatic that she'll get to try out water therapy. It was great in helping us with Rubi's HD, and I'm sure it will do wonders for Lucy's issue as well. Keep us posted! Can't wait to hear about her therapy and more about her road to recovery!!

[whitepupzoe]

Yay for water therapy!  You better take pics for us! 

[Bugsys Mom]

Amber I am so happy her progress is going well!  You and she deserve it!