Bug has now completed 5 weeks of underwater treadmill therapy, and we're seeing a HUGE improvement!
We had to wait to start the treadmill until she was weight bearing on her leg, and to get there we did "assisted weight shifts" for a few seconds at a time by supporting her butt and gently lifting the good leg. We also walked around in her pool (see Bugzercisor video).
The biggest change I've been noticing is a huge improvement in her attitude. She's much more relaxed, even in new situations. It's a similar change to when I started her on fluoxetine. I had known she was in pain from her hip, but what a difference less pain makes! She's much less reactive to other dogs and less anxious. I'm so excited to see what this does for her learning ability (dog parkour, agility, and disc dogs, here we come!!)
Below is a short (ok, long-ish but adorable) video of her first vs. fifth sessions on the treadmill. Shout-out to Animal Clinic Northview for the AWESOME rehab program and Susan RVT for all the help with the Bug-let!
Bug working on rehab exercises and swimming now that her stitches are out. Most of this was filmed week 3 after surgery. Both Bug and the pool tried to die this weekend, luckily only one of them succeeded!
We have an appointment with a rehab veterinarian tomorrow!
I've written some thoughts on the past day and a half since I picked her up from the vet.
1. I think Bug is sleeping better than I am! She has a memory-foam doggie bed set up in her "house," while I fitfully slept on a backpacking mat next to her. She's napping a lot, which is good for her recovery. I am just tired without end!
Napping with a snack #winning
2. Last night bruising started appearing. There's a purple mark along her femur. It's to be expected, along with this morning's swelling. I've been icing 20 minutes every few hours to keep down the swelling and pain. She doesn't seem to mind the ice sitting on it.
Bruising at 2 and a half days post-op
3. Her good leg is SORE. She's 90% 3-legged, so that poor hind doing double duty is quite tired, although she's getting better at lying down somewhat slowly, rather than attempting and falling onto the sore hip (she doesn't like me to help, she'll just stand tense and stare at me).
4. Range-of-motion exercises are really difficult - for me! Due to the nature of removing a joint completely and depending on scar tissue to compensate, making sure scar tissue doesn't form limiting the range of motion of the "new" joint is very important. I was instructed to do "75% of normal hip movement 7-10 times, 3 times per day." I'm not entirely sure what 100% range of motion is, so I've been going to the just before the point of pain as gently as I can. I can usually only do about 3 or 4 reps before she decides she's very done. Flexing she's ok with, extending is OUCH. She whines and considers nipping me, so I feel horrible doing this to her!
5. Bug does not like the cone of shame! She's been AMAZING about not licking at her sutures at all, but I've been putting it on while I'm not directly supervising her. Having awesome friends (canine and human!) Bug was able to borrow an inflatable donut "cone" that she likes a lot better - that also functions as a great (wear-able) pillow!
