Ligaments – 2 Posts
Here is the link to the Amazon.com site for my booklet of instructions for you to follow after a diagnosis of torn CCL (cranial cruciate ligament, like ACL in people, in the knee) in your dog, whether you are decided to not pursue surgery for your dog or you are doing some rehab prior to surgery, “pre-hab”. These instructions cover four weeks from when you begin to tackle the lameness and issues…doesn’t have to be four weeks exactly after diagnosis 
I sometimes get to work with a dog that has been lame from injury for a year or more after injury.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/061590047X
Paperback is $7.99 USD and $4.99 for Kindle the Kindle version. If you purchase the Paperback, the Kindle version is only $2.49 USD for you to purchase and have electronically available. Both versions should also be available on worldwide Amazon sites, as well as other distribution sites, like Barnes & Noble.
On all other Amazon sites around the world, and on other distribution sites, please search this title and ISBN:
Guidelines for Home Rehabilitation of Your Dog: Instead of Surgery for Torn Knee Ligament: The First Four Weeks, Basic Edition
ISBN-13: 978-0615900476
Thank you-
Preface
Some of the information contained in this volume has been published previously by me on my websites beginning in January, 2007. Until this particular current publication, I have had available on my various sites (and on some sites that co-opted the material) a general outline for the first four weeks of post-surgical or post-injury rehab because the demand for this information has been so great.
The updated content of this volume is not available on any of my sites, nor has the full content been previously available, and most of the definitive information regarding exercise protocol that is contained in this volume has been removed from my websites and personal social media pages as of this publication.
When I first began publishing a simple home-based plan to the internet, it was only a four-week, progressive walking exercise plan, useful for a variety of rehab situations. A version of that is what is contained in this booklet. What has happened though over time is that I have encountered many situations wherein people have interpreted these basic instructions in contrary ways, often omitting bits they thought they could while still hoping for success and often in a way that has been detrimental to the pet.
Therefore, what this booklet also contains is a more thorough explanation of how to enact the plan well …and enact it simply. There is no “bullet point” version, because bullet points will not describe the details of functional rehab so that the animal receives more benefit while receiving less harm or discomfort. As it is, I continually want to add to or modify bits of this edition, and I have to stop somewhere!
This is the basic edition, the closest you may come to bullet points outside of my professional website.
There is also an expanded edition, which contains more in-depth looks at potential pitfalls and additional remedies, along with greater explanation as to why I believe some therapies are better than others, especially for wellness and healing complementary to a home environment.
Thank you, on behalf of your pet, for taking this time to learn more about the healing methods available for them.
Thanks!
Blessings-
Homework Exercise Review for Elderly Sheepdog with Hind-End Neurological Problems
Here is the short write-up of my recommendations/reminders for Abby’s functional rehab and the process I believe will improve her neuro-muscular capabilities and strength.
Some of this will be stuff I’ve mentioned several times over the course of working with Abby, however it bears review, and most of the time, when I reevaluate a program, often we need to go back closer to a beginning point and press forward methodically in order to achieve expected gains.
I can’t emphasise enough how beneficial the vibrational massage is, even if you do it every other day instead of every day for now. For a refresher, please watch the 10 minute video here:
http://rehabilitationandconditioningforanimals.wordpress.com/category/videos/
And do it as best possible without cutting corners. Pertinent questions are also covered in the video, as well as methodology and benefits. Make sure you change out the batteries as soon as they seem dull, because the best benefit from this massage is realised from the vibration, which stimulates circulation, lessens tension, and potentially improves nerve conduction. I recommend, for now, doing the massage at the end of the day, at bedtime or thereabouts.
For the next week, please walk Abby twice daily, super slowly and consistently, without stopping, for 15 minutes. There are very many reasons why I use this method, and they all contribute to the gains we are trying to achieve. Super slow walking encourages use of all limbs to the best of their ability. Abby has already been able to walk multiple times daily, super slowly, for five and ten minute sessions, having built up slowly. Using the same exercise protocol for a week allows more time for the body to adjust to the work load, and it should go well, because these are introductory workouts, to build a base.
For the following week, please walk her 2×20 minutes in the same manner, if the 15 minute walks are completed well. She should be able to complete these walks without dragging a hind limb and without sagging or falling down. Otherwise, she needs to return to 10 minute walks and do them multiple times daily to ensure success. I am not after complete fatigue and maxing ability at this point; I am after building successful progress, which I believe her body will adapt and accomplish.
I really would like her to wear two supportive hard braces during these walks, and I realise you have only one. She hyper-extends her tarsal joints, and in order to use her hind legs properly and to subsequently use the muscles better/properly, the supportive brace that prevents hyper-extension while she is doing her slow drills would be additionally beneficial. (Orthovet Splint) Use the one you have on her R hind, since that leg has the most deficits and is the weakest. She hyper-extends because of nerve weakness and defecits.
After the week of 2×20 min slow, relatively flat walks, please add in cavalettis, obstacles, to improve her proprioception. This may be accomplished in many ways and several locations around your environment. I have photos on my rehab FB site that depict a trained sporting dog doing cavalettis using an extension ladder. I have a video on this site of a cat with neuro problems using a lineup of remote controls across a bar top. I have a pic on my FB site of another older dog using obstacles in the back yard. When time allows, I will attach some of those pictures to this post.
Abby needs to do the cavalettis every other day and during one of the walk workout times. You should warm her up walking for 5 minutes then do obstacle repeats for 10-15 minutes. I suggest you use about 5 items in a row, spaced about half an Abby-length apart, and between 4-6 inches high for now. If we could get the old cat to do the work, I’m pretty sure we can get Abby to do it! If she is too stubborn for you, I will be glad to take a rehab session and work with you and her on this drill.
After a week of this drill, keep doing it as prescribed, and add in hill repeats every third day as one of her twice-daily workouts. I suggest walking out the front door, around to the back yard, and then up and down the hill on the far side of the house for 10-15 minutes, very slowly. I was able to get her to do this work this past summer when I came for rehab checks.
During the hill phase, it may be more beneficial for Abby to receive laser therapy on the hill work days. This should have the effect of stimulating nerves and cellular process and often improves work ability in the older and neuro-challenged animals. In her condition, I see reason to have twice-weekly laser sessions for at least a month.
I think it would be great if you were able to just start where I suggest, as if we were beginning from scratch, and let’s see the progress that comes from scripted protocol and collaborative effort. She won’t improve from this point if she keeps doing the same walks and leads the same life she has been leading…the body stagnates, and the same happens for humans as well. Our brains aim toward conservation while our bodies are able to do more. I believe, based on my experience that is also based on years of research, that we will see strength and muscle gains if you start here again. I suggest we review in one month after these exercises have been completed. I will then revise the protocol and change the challenges.
Thanks!
Blessings-
Deborah
Filed under: HOMEWORK SUGGESTIONS FOR FUNCTIONAL REHAB
