Introduction
Welcome to Mickey's blog, a blog about a dog who has been there for me and made me smile even when I thought I couldn't any more. A dog who was sent to me by a loving God who knew I needed him as much as he needed me.
Mickey's story is much like other adopted dog's stories. Left at a kill shelter at only six months because his owners didn't want him any more. He waited and waited, but because of his age and because of his energy level he was never taken home and so awaited his death. But Mickey was one of the lucky ones, the rare few who are rescued by those non-kill shelters to be given more time to find their forever home. After waiting patiently for over a year, we finally found each other at a Petco in Austin.
Five years later, Mickey is my companion, best friend and and athlete. With elite and master titles in multiple Agility venues, he competes all over the state, traveling from hotel to hotel. Not only that, he's a Canine Good Citizen and loved by everyone who meets him.
Unfortunately, the unthinkable has happened. And though its fairly common in working, athletic dogs, I was devastated and distraught. Mickey was diagnosed with an ACL tear/rupture on April 3rd 2009 and after a long weekend of research and studying the procedure, he was admitted into Central Texas Veterinary Specialty Hospital for a much needed TPLO surgery by Dr. Kerpsack.
*I'm not a vet and and in no way am I liable for any information on this blog. Please contact your local vet for information on medications or treatments.
HIGH STEPPING
Today Mickey started some new types of physical therapy! I think he enjoyed them too. They didn't appear to be too much strain on his leg, and I was inspired by another TPLO recovery patient's mother. So, I'll post some videos for you to see of the types of things he did today.
We only did a total of about two minutes of it, varied throughout the day. The first session is in the first two videos following and the second session is in the last two videos. However, as much as he didn't seem affected by either sort of exercise, I think I'll wait until six weeks to actually begin the second type of therapy we did. That or I'll try and find a much lower set of ladder poles to work him through.
For agility training in the beginning we worked extensively on this ladder, so Mickey knows exactly what to do in these videos. It teaches the dog to be aware of where their legs are and encourages them to lift and flex.
I also bought Mickey a new tool! I'm not sure when I will begin using it though, it's called a "wobble board". To help him with weight baring exercises. I think I might wait another week for that, and for now just use the first exercise as seen in the first two videos.
Exercise One, straight
Exercise One, sideways
Exercise Two, side view
Exercise Two, front view
THE SQUIRREL OF DOOMMickey has a toy, a very vicious toy, that he enjoys attacking and harassing. His reward? Food! What could be more fun for a dog than viciously attacking, chewing, biting, throwing and pouncing on a squirrel, except for a squirrel that spits out little pieces of munchies to devour at random! And for me, a squirrel that doesn't smell awful when you find it dead in your backyard. I'm lucky that Mickey isn't fast enough to catch a squirrel, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy watching him play with one. Here are some photos for your enjoyment.
GETTING THERE
We're almost to four weeks, almost to thirty days, almost to one month! I really want to get my hands on a new set of x-rays. I'm dying to see how its healing, but I know only four weeks isn't going to show us everything we want to know, and it would be a waste of money. When I know that physically he is doing really well and recovering fast. I'll just have to wait until to week six. So sad.
Everything has been going really smoothly, really nothing to report. Right now Mickey's schedule looks a little something like this.
Morning -
- 10 minute walk
- Breakfast
- Icing
Mid Day -- 5 minute walk
- Play time (fun safe games)
Night -
- 10 minute walk
- Dinner
- ROM Flexing
- Massage
- Icing
Mickey's diet looks like this now, with all the supplements and then his staple food. Since he's been out of work I've had some trouble keeping his weight down. When he's training and competing I have a really hard keeping weight on, but now its the opposite! And I know that any extra weight will put unnecessary strain on that leg.
- Nature's Variety Raw Instinct Dry, Canned & Raw Dog Food
- Glyco-Flex III
- Salmon Oil Capsules
- Comfrey, Devil's Claw & Slippery Elm Herbal "clumps"
- The occasional "greenie" or snack treat for times he's alone
Here are some cute pictures I have Mickey in his days of "patrolling" the barn before he had to be crated or leashed... enjoy!
