Ants in Her Pants
I think Marge is starting to feel better. We walked for twenty minutes this afternoon in the field at a brisk pace, and she's dying for more. Our rally practice in my living room was halted for a second while she attempted to chase the cat and then run zoomies. I called her back to me, but this looks like a good sign.
I still feel like she is leaning some of the weight on to the other leg, but she's doing it less frequently and less severely. She's starting to get back to her usual antics, like jumping on the front door as she hears me coming in - a bad habit, but at least I know she's feeling better - and coming over to pester me to do something with her.
Here is a short clip of her walking out in the field this afternoon. She's not fully extending on the trot, but she's also restricted by a 6' leash. I reviewed a video from last Wednesday (presumably the day after she got hurt) when she was on her 20' line and she WAS fully extending on both legs. I'm not sure what you can discern from it, but I figured I'd post it anyway.
She's still getting the Rimadyl; the vet said to give it until I run out, so that's what I'll do. I iced the inside of her thigh a couple of times for about five minutes each time; I don't know if that's enough to help anything, but I don't think either of us has patience for much more time than that.
On Monday, during Marge's massage, my instructor said she'd like to do a lesson with me next week. I'm not sure what to do. Like I said, she doesn't think this whole thing is really an issue, and also said Marge wouldn't really need another massage so soon. I'm thinking of splitting the time half and half. Assuming we're going to the trial, there is one thing I'd really like to do between now and next Friday, and that is work contacts. Everything else is solid at this point. So, if Marge is fine on Monday (which, at this rate, it looks like she will be) I'm thinking about doing 15 minutes of agility (just for the contacts -- maybe skip the A-Frame) and 15 minutes of massage (maybe just for the legs). How does that sound? Is it too soon to get active again?
28 comments:
Marge looks good to me although I don't have the experience of watching her walk that you do. And I don't have (thankfully) much experience with hurt dogs, but Ricky tells me when he doesn't feel right and from what you said, it sounds like Marge is telling you she feels better. I think your plan for Monday sounds good. I'm so glad to hear Marge is on the mend!
Chris (and Ricky)
Sounds like a well-balanced plan. That leg will let you know if you are on the right path. :)
I thinks you have a terrific plan! Marge will let you know if she's not ready. I'm sure of it!
Oh, if I haven't mentioned it alreadys, Marge sure is lucky to have you for her momma!
Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie
Hey Marge, I had ants in my food once. I didn't like it much.
From what I've been reading, it is good to resume normal activities slowly, and then see how Marge reacts....is she sore after the activity, limping, not putting weight on that leg...then you did too much, and need to do less.
So, I think starting with the 15 minutes is a good idea, and see how Marge handles that. At the trial, she'll only be running a few minutes or less each run.
I think it's tricky with dogs because they may do too much too soon when left on their own. I think they'll stop when they hurt, but not know they need to stop before they hurt. (If that made sense.) It sounds like you have a good plan to resume some agility but take it slow. It seems like Marge has been doing well and can probably handle some higher-impact activity.
PS-I have thought about putting Kona on something. I had her on Rescue Remedy for a few months, but she hasn't been on anything for awhile. I think it'll be a good idea to try something for our outings.
yay for marge
we are furry happy to hear she is feeling better
we'll keep sending her some feel better pibble vibes though
pibble sugars and wee wags
the pittie pack
I think it's a good plan. I think that the 15 minutes will go by so quickly. If you take it very easy, and she seems perfectly fine, I'd go just a little bit further. I'm not saying to push her, at all, but I think she'll indicate when she's had enough.
Monday gives her a few more days to rest her leg. You'll know on Monday, whether or not you should do more.
Her trot looked fine, to me, in the video...but you're right, the 6 foot lead makes it tough to see anything I can only see she wants to go faster!
My first time here. Wishing you and Marge good luck.
oh marge.. your mommie has a good plan! i second the 15 agility 15 massage.. and then my turn:)
tula
Marge, you're looking great!
Play bows,
Zim
I'd follow Marge's lead on it. I wouldn't worry too much about her getting too out of shape, she'll bounce back pretty quick!
I'm so happy she is feeling better. Remember to take it slow, Im sure she will want to go faster than is good for her
I would think that the 15 min without contacts and just taking it easy and see how she is the next day, if she is not sore the next day that will tell you a lot. I would make sure to warm her up by walking her a bit and then a little trot so she is not working cold and after she is done I would make sure to walk her out and make sure she cools down slowly, anyway, that is how I usually handle it with Breeze.
Woof! Woof! Your mom sure has a wonderful plan. Oh! you had massage ... Mmmm I like that!!! Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
It looks like evFURRYthing is looking khwite pawsitive!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
I agree with Sara- and that's what I've been doing with Riley. It is definitely a very hard thing to gauge when you're completely stressed out about having a lame dog though. Hang in there, she'll let you know what's too much :) I'm very impressed with your jogging and videoing skills- if I tried that it would have been jumbled all over the place!
Oh, I am sorry I didn't know that Marge had been suffering from a leg problem until I read this latest post today. But, I am glad that the problem is unlikely to be serious and Marge is feeling better. I think your plan to split the time between agility and massage is very sensible. I hope Marge will be back to her usual self by the trial.
Oh, I forgot to answer your question about Mint and me. Yes, we are related. We share the same grandmother. Kenalis is our breeder's kennel name.
Oh, I forgot to answer your question about Mint and me. Yes, we are related. We share the same grandmother. Kenalis is our breeder's kennel name.
Sounds like a very good plan!
Take it easy!
Kisses and hugs
Lorrnza
Keep getting better Marge.
She looks really good. I cant remember but if you are doing a 2o/2o on the a-frame, I probably wouldnt do that. It doesnt seem like it would be hard on the rear legs but it is. There was that study in Clean Run a few months ago. If you want to practice contacts , I would just bring her to the bottom of the contact and have her walk up the a-frame 1/2 way or less and then release her to the contact. Thats just my opinion. But you know your dog best. Diana
Yeah, I'm going to skip the A-Frame for sure. I would like to run the dog walk a couple of times because she hasn't seen it in months, and I absolutely need to do the teeter (which I don't require 2o2o on anyway).
We are SO glad that Marge is feeling better!!
Woofs and Kisses!
Marge is looking great - she is moving well in the video.
Does she know, that just like Martha and Bailey, there is always a shadow behind her!!!
Spooky!
xxxx
It's hard to tell from the video. If it's a hip issue, a hind view is usually best. A dog with a sore hip will avoid swinging that leg too much by swinging the butt from side-to-side, that makes any sense. In my dog who had sore hips, the exagerated butt swinging was really obvious - and Marge definitely doesn't show it to any obvious extent.
It sounds to me like you have a good plan. It certainly looks like Marge feels good enough to run, and I doubt that it could do any serious harm.
Besides that, it would be fun for both of you to do some agility!
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