Reaction To Shot

[Guest LazyBlaze]

Really hope the boot can help him to enjoy his walks, once he's used to it, and can help keep some muscle on that leg. I'm still hoping the nerve can repair itself. Everything crossed for your brave guy.

[Koyotekyle]

The vet says he is losing muscle mass on his leg. Today we went for our first longer walk with the boot. He seemed to do better. There were times he actually put his foot down and walked almost normal. Standing he also put his food down, but did not put a lot of weight on it. We need to exercise his leg more. He still hops most of the time. He was quite the celebrity at the vets as none of them had seen the boot and they were taking a lot of pictures. If I can figure out how to post pictures I will post some

Edited March 29, 2016 by Koyotekyle

[seeh2o]

It might really be with the trip to see my vet so you can have her mom do acupuncture and cold laser. Nancy is truly magical, I've never seen anything like it, others feel the same way. Redrowan.com

[smurfette]

It might really be with the trip to see my vet so you can have her mom do acupuncture and cold laser. Nancy is truly magical, I've never seen anything like it, others feel the same way. Redrowan.com

I don't know your vet, of course, but mine works the same way. She works together with a chiropractor and does holistic medicine, too. Give it a try. You only can win in your situation.

[Guest LazyBlaze]

Sounds as though the boot is helping. Losing muscle is normal when there's nerve impairment, but hopefully you can stop him from losing too much. The walking will help with that, as would physio and/or swimming if you have access to either of those? (Edited to add: have just re-read an earlier post and realise that you are currently awaiting physio. Fingers crossed they can help you with that soon). Other things that can help with strengthening are:

- doing stairs

- walking in water

- walking in sand

- stepping over cavaletti poles (you could make up your own with cones and poles)

- doing agility weave poles

- using a Fitpaws pad (or cheap alternative, even just a cushion can work. Stand his weak leg on the pad/cushion, lift the leg opposite so he is bearing weight on the weak leg and gently nudge that standing leg to get him using his muscles on that leg to stabilise himself. Just for a short amounts of time as they can find this quite hard work).

 

Blaze gets some of these things at his physiotherapy sessions, and the others I read about in The Care of the Racing and Retired Greyhound book, by Gannon et al.

 

Very best of luck, and thank you for keeping us up-to-date, I always look out to see how your boy is getting on. I'm really hoping that the nerve will repair itself in time.

Edited March 29, 2016 by LazyBlaze

[KF_in_Georgia]

If you need make-shift cavaletti poles, try a ladder laid flat on the ground, and let him walk the length of the ladder, stepping over each rung.

[Koyotekyle]

Sounds as though the boot is helping. Losing muscle is normal when there's nerve impairment, but hopefully you can stop him from losing too much. The walking will help with that, as would physio and/or swimming if you have access to either of those? (Edited to add: have just re-read an earlier post and realise that you are currently awaiting physio. Fingers crossed they can help you with that soon). Other things that can help with strengthening are:

- doing stairs

- walking in water

- walking in sand

- stepping over cavaletti poles (you could make up your own with cones and poles)

- doing agility weave poles

- using a Fitpaws pad (or cheap alternative, even just a cushion can work. Stand his weak leg on the pad/cushion, lift the leg opposite so he is bearing weight on the weak leg and gently nudge that standing leg to get him using his muscles on that leg to stabilise himself. Just for a short amounts of time as they can find this quite hard work).

 

Blaze gets some of these things at his physiotherapy sessions, and the others I read about in The Care of the Racing and Retired Greyhound book, by Gannon et al.

 

Very best of luck, and thank you for keeping us up-to-date, I always look out to see how your boy is getting on. I'm really hoping that the nerve will repair itself in time.

I've been getting frustrated trying to contact the Canine Rehabilitation vet. How can some stay in business when they don't respond. I will be trying all your suggestions.

 

If you need make-shift cavaletti poles, try a ladder laid flat on the ground, and let him walk the length of the ladder, stepping over each rung. Thanknah

Thank you for your information. I am working on a rehab program because the rehab vet hasn't responded.

We've used the boot for a few times. It doses pull the paw forward and straight. He has put his paw down and does walk a few steps but he still hops most of the time. He has stood and put some weight on the paw, so I am hopeful with the boot and the great suggestions we can make some progress. He has some muscle wasting so we must work to keep the muscle.

[Koyotekyle]

The boot really helps when we walk. He used to go just short distance when he would stop and freeze. My wife would have to drive to where he stopped and give him a ride home. Yesterday we went almost 2 miles. We leave it on now until he tries to pull it off.

 

We are starting to work on a rehab program for him. Your suggestions are great, since the professional we were referred to hasn't responded.

 

Our program for Verdasco was a little delayed, since at the track in Mexico, there were 40 dogs in the adoption kennel (where they go to wait for us to pick up) that is the maximum. Our group had to go into high gear to rescue the 40, but then we found out that the racing kennels were holding dogs waiting for room. We have to get new fosters to take them in. We took in another foster. (4 greys now) We are going back to Mexico next week to pick up as many as we can. .

 

Hopefully after I go to Mexico (leaving at 3 am) next week thing will get back normal.

[seeh2o]

Thanks for the update, I hope his leg function continues to improve.

 

Our group held an emergency homecoming last weekend for the greyhounds in the Caliente pet kennel. We processed 14 of the 40 dogs into foster homes, we also brought some dogs for your group as well as another group north of here. It's great that the Southern California groups can come together and work together for the good of the dogs down there.

[Guest LazyBlaze]

How's Verdasco been doing?

 

Hope you've been seeing some improvement, and that the physiotherapist got in touch. Blaze sends his best wishes to his nerve-afflicted bro across the seas.

[Koyotekyle]

How's Verdasco been doing?

 

Hope you've been seeing some improvement, and that the physiotherapist got in touch. Blaze sends his best wishes to his nerve-afflicted bro across the seas.

Thank you,

Update: Verdasco's boot is helping on the walks. He will go all the way with the others, so far up to 2 miles. He does walk with his paw down if I walk slower than usual.but of I go to fast he starts to hop again. He will stand on his leg with the boot. He has had some muscle wasting on his hind end muscle hopefully the walks will help build him up some now. We can't leave it on him for too long. He has chewed one of he straps and we had to order some new ones.

 

We don't see a lot of improvement with out the boot. I am still hopeful but it is getting harder to be optimistic. We are going to the specialist again on Monday. The therapist the Specialist recommended has not shown much interest, we have called many times and left messages, with no response. We will see what the specialist says to determine the next action.

 

Verdasco has a great personality. He really tries to do all the other dogs do. .We probably will keep him since not many want a 'broken" dog.

 

Since I got in trouble with the group, (some tyrants don't like to be pushed to do better, be courteous, or not rude. ) I am not sure what support we will get from them anymore.

[seeh2o]

I hope he continues to improve, that he's using that leg on walks when wearing the boot seems like a really good thing.

 

I thought Verdasco was a FF dog, why would you not get support from them with him?

Edited April 16, 2016 by seeh2o

[Guest LazyBlaze]

Sounds as if the boot is making a huge difference to him. If he can manage and enjoy his walks that's the main thing. I really hope you get some positive feedback from the specialist today and also that you can find a physiotherapist who will reply to you!

[Koyotekyle]

The specialist vet says it can take up to 6 months for something like this to heal.( now been a month) He is optimistic, So now I am. We are trying the rehab vet again. He is sending a text and information to the Canine Rehab again so see if we can make a connection. The Boot is nice so he can walk with the other dogs. Verdasco has been chewing the straps. Luckily I ordered extra. We put the boot on and drove less than 10 minutes and he had already chewed through one strap. I am thinking of wrapping the straps with duct tape hoping that will slow him down.

[seeh2o]

That's good news! Can you post a link to the boot? I'm not familiar with one like that, I'm wondering if it might not help a dog I know.

[Koyotekyle]

That's good news! Can you post a link to the boot? I'm not familiar with one like that, I'm wondering if it might not help a dog I know.

This is the link to the site. It must be ordered by a vet though,the vet needs to measure to be sure it fits. This is for the rear paw,. There is also a different one for the front.

 

It really is nice that Verdasco can walk with the other dogs.

 

http://www.therapaw.com/dorsi-flexassist-1.aspx

 

I hope this helps the dog you know.

[seeh2o]

Thanks so much, I just passed the link on to see if it might help.

[3greytjoys]

Glad the Therapaw Dorsi-Flex Assist is helping Verdasco manage to take slow walks.

 

Just a thought: Since Greyhound muzzles on all hounds riding in one car together is a good safety measure, a bonus might be that Verdasco's muzzle may help save his Therapaw boot device(?).

 

Verdasco seems like a sweet boy who is trying his best to cope with this unexpected injury. Continued positive thoughts for him to regain physical control in time. Your thoughtful care means everything to him.

[Koyotekyle]

Glad the Therapaw Dorsi-Flex Assist is helping Verdasco manage to take slow walks.

 

Just a thought: Since Greyhound muzzles on all hounds riding in one car together is a good safety measure, a bonus might be that Verdasco's muzzle may help save his Therapaw boot device(?).

 

Verdasco seems like a sweet boy who is trying his best to cope with this unexpected injury. Continued positive thoughts for him to regain physical control in time. Your thoughtful care means everything to him.

 

We walked 3 miles yesterday and Verdasco was up front almost all the way. We are so pleased to see him out and enjoying life. We use it only on walks, around the house he is fine. .

 

He was the only dog in the car at the time he chewed the straps, I think if we need to travel in the car with him in the boot, a muzzle would be a good idea. We only put it on him when we did because it was easier to put it on him where we were instead of the vets office parking lot or the waiting room. To drive for 5 minutes we thought we were safe Lesson learned

 

Verdasco is a really great dog. He does try really hard to please. The hard part will be if he gets better and adopted. He will be VERY hard to give up if we have to.. The specialist vet says it could take up to 6 months. It has been over 1 month now.

 

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts and comments.

[Guest LazyBlaze]

I think that Verdasco might be home already.

 

You're doing so well for him and it sounds as though he's doing well too - 3 miles is impressive! He has spirit, that's for sure.

 

Continued good wishes for his recovery. Hope Canine Rehab come good for him too.

[Koyotekyle]

I think that Verdasco might be home already.

 

You're doing so well for him and it sounds as though he's doing well too - 3 miles is impressive! He has spirit, that's for sure.

 

Continued good wishes for his recovery. Hope Canine Rehab come good for him too.

 

Maybe he is home. I really love this pup. But then I love the new foster OZ. I can't keep them all (can I?)

 

I pushed beyond the 2 miles we were walking to see how he did. He could have gone further, BUT I couldn't.

 

We have so many coming from the track now, it is going to be hard. When i go to the track to pick up dogs, I can't stand to leave even ONE behind in the retirement kennel. We are really getting desperate for foster homes now and there is a bunch of dogs waiting at the track I am doing as many SHow and Tells as I can and just did 2 full days at the Pet Expo.. I have 4 more S & Ts in the planning stages I can't get to until the end of May or June.

 

Now it looks like some people are forcing the close of the nearest US track and there are already over 100 dogs that need homes from there. .

 

I thought i was retired.

[DesiRayMom]

Bless you for all you are doing for the hounds (and especially Verdasco). It is sincerely appreciated.

[Koyotekyle]

Went to Canine Rehab today (finally) We have a list of exercises for Verdasco..

 

The Thera paw boot is helping build up the muscle, he can walk 2 to 3 miles with the boot.. We have a little more hope now than before, as he walks with his paw flat without the boot sometimes.

 

It will take some practice on the exercises. It is a whole new world for us. Heck, I don't exercise except the walks. We may have to walk Verdasco alone sometimes, because with the four wanting to pull, We can't do what we need to do.

[Batmom]

You are doing a great job with him. Thank you.

[seeh2o]

Great job, Tom! You're really doing a fantastic job rehabbing him!!!