Dec
13
TPLO — 4 and 5 weeks
Didn’t post about week 4, because basically, it was just like every other week. Still no changes. Last Friday, we did start doing the treadmill at an incline (so more work on those rear legs). This week, 23 minutes on the incline–she’s really kicking butt on the treadmill. We had a late afternoon session, and she was TIRED the rest of the night, when she’s normally hyper and wants to play–just curled up and slept on her bed. I could get used to that.
I’ve also started lengthening her walks a bit–around 15 minutes, but working to increase that as we’re able. My goal is 20-30 minutes twice daily, but we’ll take it slow.
This week, I’m also starting to add some exercises. Right now, I’m going to take 4 exercises, and do one every other day, for 5-10 minutes. Next week, I’ll do two every other day. Right now, I’m going to do the balance disc, cavaletti, hill work, and limbo (ducking under a shower curtain rod in a doorway).
Ticket is doing well, but it’s not the miraculous recovery of her first TPLO. She still weight shifts to avoid carrying full weight on the TPLO leg. A time or two I’ve felt like maybe she’s become tired/sore on a walk so we’ve headed home, but that’s a little harder to judge, because I’m basing that on her falling back a bit, not on a change in her gait. Her bone is still healing, and she’s still getting used to the new stresses on her knee, so I know it’s going to be ok. Still, it’s hard when she was so far ahead of the curve after her first knee surgery. We’re still on track for Nationals though, and I’m doing everything I can for her. 2 weeks until xrays!
