Duke doesn’t like rehab any more than Amy Winehouse did. Luckily, though, we can force him to follow his rehabilitation program. It just makes me feel like a meanie.
Duke lies in his "rehab nest," with a warm compress on his knee.
It’s been almost a week since his surgery*, and Duke seems to be feeling pretty good. And that’s actually the problem. He’s still on major exercise restriction for another eight days. He cannot go up or down stairs (except to go potty) or get up on the furniture (though the booger has hit the couch a couple times when I turned my head for two seconds). He can only go outside on-leash to potty.
The problem is that when I hook his leash to take him potty, Duke starts doing his little tap dancing routine, then spins and hops and pants with excitement. He thinks we’re going for a walk and just doesn’t get why Mom is being so MEAN by taking him back inside right away!
Duke also gets physical therapy twice a day, which includes applying heat to the knee for five minutes, performing flexing exercises (gently bending and straightening his leg), and then applying ice for 5-10 minutes. So far he has been typically stoic for the PT, but he’s starting to get antsy with all this lying down.
I am looking forward to Week 3 of rehab, when Duke can at least start taking walks (albeit very short ones). He’ll also be off pain meds and antibiotics and can hopefully have a little more freedom around the house. Duke would like to skip weeks three through eight and just be ALL better so he can get back to romping and stomping.
Patience, Dukie, patience.
When have you had to be the enforcer for the benefit of your dog’s health?
* For more information about ruptured ACLs in dogs, and the surgeries available, check out Veterinary Partner. My vet provided this information when Duke was diagnosed with an ACL tear. The surgery he had was the Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA).
