7 weeks post FHO... - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Cooper2010 · 07-08-2010, 02:18 PM

He is still having pain in that hip. I do the exercises with him, but he cries and tries to bite, he still has pain.

The vet said the next step is to sling his good leg and force him to use the bad one....at this point I think that may be the best thing. Trying to to range of motion exercises is not working out so well.

If anyone has any suggestions, I'm open to them.

kjc · 07-08-2010, 02:19 PM

Would your vet be okay with water rehab?

kjc · 07-08-2010, 02:35 PM

Some people have used massage therapists or accupuncture for dogs in recovery. Is he taking any pain meds?

Cooper2010 · 07-08-2010, 02:46 PM

He has Rimadyl for pain. He's suggested water therapy, but we don't have a pool, and I don't know of anyplace to take him?

christiers · 07-08-2010, 03:10 PM

Have you checked around to see if an equestrian center around you may provide water therapy for your furbaby? I know when my furbaby needed water therapy, we went to a local equestrian center.

Cooper2010 · 07-08-2010, 03:39 PM

No but there are lots of equestrian vets around here...that's something I should check into. He suggested a "kiddy pool', but an average bathtub isn't deep enough.

ladyjane · 07-08-2010, 04:06 PM

Is this an orthopedic vet? He does not know a physical therapist? Are you sure there is nothing else going on? I really have not heard of one having pain this long into recovery.

I honestly did not do PT with the one I had and it just took time for him to start using it again. They did not have me do ROM exercises on him at all!

If he is not an orthopedic vet and you are concerned, maybe you need another opinion?

Cooper2010 · 07-08-2010, 10:06 PM

we're going to get a BY pool this weekend and let him "swim". I still have onther week and a half before I take him back.

kjc · 07-08-2010, 10:43 PM

Don't forget to get a Life Jacket for him. It will help him to stay calm and afloat when he gets tired.

Rachael x · 07-09-2010, 03:03 AM

Water rehab like another member suggested sounds good, It will get him using his bad leg but take alot of the pressure off.

cdawnfine · 07-09-2010, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Is this an orthopedic vet? He does not know a physical therapist? Are you sure there is nothing else going on? I really have not heard of one having pain this long into recovery.

I honestly did not do PT with the one I had and it just took time for him to start using it again. They did not have me do ROM exercises on him at all!

If he is not an orthopedic vet and you are concerned, maybe you need another opinion?

I agree with ladyjane. Milo rehabbed himself we did not need PT either. I would Def. check with another Vet

Patti · 07-09-2010, 08:39 AM

Pixie had LP surgery 3 weeks ago and her orthopedist said with the small dogs she doesn't use PT as they get enough exercise on their own. Pixie is using her leg but was limping on it a little yesterday so I think they still get sore some days. Hope he feels better soon.

Cooper2010 · 07-17-2010, 06:45 PM

I'm still trying to do the ROM exercises with him and it's worse than ever. If you could see a photo of him from the rear, you'd see the muscle atrophy that's happened. He get's along like a tri-pod. I've checked into a few water therapy places but they don't do small dogs.

What I'd like to know from you seasoned veterans, what should I do? Keep going to the same vet that wants to see him back every month? Change vets? I'm not even sure how to find a good one. I don't have the time or money for "physical therapy" and what they've told me to do isn't working. He get's around fine, but on 3 legs.

My husband and I are looking into buying him a BY pool that he'll have to swim in. If he can touch bottom, he will. He won't swim. The muscle in that surgical hip is dying. I'm afraid his leg will end up amputated, or so much weight will end up on his good hip that it's worn out as well.

ladyjane · 07-17-2010, 07:44 PM

I would go to an orthopedic vet for a consult! Go to www.acvs.org and do a search for one in your area.
Just tell your vet that you want to get a second opinion. He should not have a problem with that.
A specialist usually charges $100 - $150 for a consult.
Honestly, that muscle atrophy is very common! He will get muscle back when he starts to use that leg. Since it has been a couple of months, just to be sure everything is ok, do get that second opinion. Also, if you cannot afford physical therapy, then ask if you could have a home based program. A good physical therapist will write one up for you and that will probably not cost any more than $150 (I think).
I would never amputate a good limb...EVER. What people fail to understand is that if you do that and the dog ends up with a problem with another limb that really cannot be repaired....he is basically up a creek without a paddle.

megansmomma · 07-17-2010, 08:01 PM

Please listen to LadyJane...........she has a LOT of experience with pups with orthopedic surgical issues. Get a second opinion. If water therapy is what you would also like to try how much of a pool could you possibly need? Go to Walmart and pick up a pool for $60.

Walmart.com: 8' x 30" Inflatable Ring Pool: Outdoor Play

07-08-2010, 02:18 PM	#1
Cooper2010 YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 304	7 weeks post FHO... He is still having pain in that hip. I do the exercises with him, but he cries and tries to bite, he still has pain. The vet said the next step is to sling his good leg and force him to use the bad one....at this point I think that may be the best thing. Trying to to range of motion exercises is not working out so well. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm open to them.

07-08-2010, 02:19 PM	#2
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,872	Would your vet be okay with water rehab? __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity

07-08-2010, 02:35 PM	#3
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,872	Some people have used massage therapists or accupuncture for dogs in recovery. Is he taking any pain meds? __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity

07-08-2010, 03:10 PM	#5
christiers Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Jersey by way of Bama, USA Posts: 135	Have you checked around to see if an equestrian center around you may provide water therapy for your furbaby? I know when my furbaby needed water therapy, we went to a local equestrian center. __________________ Christie- lucky and very proud "mom" to Belle, Coco, Pickles, & Jag

07-08-2010, 04:06 PM	#7
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,475	Is this an orthopedic vet? He does not know a physical therapist? Are you sure there is nothing else going on? I really have not heard of one having pain this long into recovery. I honestly did not do PT with the one I had and it just took time for him to start using it again. They did not have me do ROM exercises on him at all! If he is not an orthopedic vet and you are concerned, maybe you need another opinion? __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

07-08-2010, 02:46 PM	#4
Cooper2010 YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 304	He has Rimadyl for pain. He's suggested water therapy, but we don't have a pool, and I don't know of anyplace to take him?

07-08-2010, 03:39 PM	#6
Cooper2010 YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 304	No but there are lots of equestrian vets around here...that's something I should check into. He suggested a "kiddy pool', but an average bathtub isn't deep enough.

07-08-2010, 10:06 PM	#8
Cooper2010 YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 304	we're going to get a BY pool this weekend and let him "swim". I still have onther week and a half before I take him back.

07-08-2010, 10:43 PM	#9
kjc I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Posts: 18,872	Don't forget to get a Life Jacket for him. It will help him to stay calm and afloat when he gets tired. __________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity

07-09-2010, 03:03 AM	#10
Rachael x Poppy's Mamma ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: England Posts: 3,751 Blog Entries: 3	Water rehab like another member suggested sounds good, It will get him using his bad leg but take alot of the pressure off. __________________ Rachael & Poppy

07-09-2010, 08:39 AM	#12
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	Pixie had LP surgery 3 weeks ago and her orthopedist said with the small dogs she doesn't use PT as they get enough exercise on their own. Pixie is using her leg but was limping on it a little yesterday so I think they still get sore some days. Hope he feels better soon. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

07-17-2010, 06:45 PM	#13
Cooper2010 YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 304	I'm still trying to do the ROM exercises with him and it's worse than ever. If you could see a photo of him from the rear, you'd see the muscle atrophy that's happened. He get's along like a tri-pod. I've checked into a few water therapy places but they don't do small dogs. What I'd like to know from you seasoned veterans, what should I do? Keep going to the same vet that wants to see him back every month? Change vets? I'm not even sure how to find a good one. I don't have the time or money for "physical therapy" and what they've told me to do isn't working. He get's around fine, but on 3 legs. My husband and I are looking into buying him a BY pool that he'll have to swim in. If he can touch bottom, he will. He won't swim. The muscle in that surgical hip is dying. I'm afraid his leg will end up amputated, or so much weight will end up on his good hip that it's worn out as well. Last edited by Cooper2010; 07-17-2010 at 06:48 PM.

07-17-2010, 07:44 PM	#14
ladyjane Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 27,475	I would go to an orthopedic vet for a consult! Go to www.acvs.org and do a search for one in your area. Just tell your vet that you want to get a second opinion. He should not have a problem with that. A specialist usually charges $100 - $150 for a consult. Honestly, that muscle atrophy is very common! He will get muscle back when he starts to use that leg. Since it has been a couple of months, just to be sure everything is ok, do get that second opinion. Also, if you cannot afford physical therapy, then ask if you could have a home based program. A good physical therapist will write one up for you and that will probably not cost any more than $150 (I think). I would never amputate a good limb...EVER. What people fail to understand is that if you do that and the dog ends up with a problem with another limb that really cannot be repaired....he is basically up a creek without a paddle. __________________ CLOUD NINE BEDS--YORKIE HAVEN RESCUE MY ETSY SHOP

07-17-2010, 08:01 PM	#15
megansmomma Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: S. W. Suburbs of Chicago, IL Posts: 12,235	Please listen to LadyJane...........she has a LOT of experience with pups with orthopedic surgical issues. Get a second opinion. If water therapy is what you would also like to try how much of a pool could you possibly need? Go to Walmart and pick up a pool for $60. Walmart.com: 8' x 30" Inflatable Ring Pool: Outdoor Play __________________ “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” Mark Twain