3 Weeks and going Strong!

My last post I gave a brief update on how Lola-Jane has been progressing after her FHO (Femoral Head Ostectomy) surgery earlier this month. I wanted to share another video on this post to show her continued improvement with walking and also share some of the little things we have learned just in a few short weeks.

My sweet girl

Lola-Jane's sutures came out last week, so she now has a little more freedom. I can hear her now singing, "FREEDOM, FREEDOM!" We have started walking her 2-3 times a day for 3-5 minutes at a time. This will increase by a few minutes each week as tolerated. The trick here is getting her to walk slow enough to ensure she is engaging the leg and using it to walk. She has been doing pretty good with this, however you have to tell her to slow it down sometimes. At times she wants to gallop or jog which then causes the leg to go up and she doesn't use it. 

Michael and I have learned the saying, "patience is a virtue" is TRUE! One of the hardest things post operative surgery is keeping Lola-Jane confined and making sure she doesn't do more than she should. She is stubborn and has a mind of her own, therefore as she has felt better she is wanting to run, jump and the list goes on... Of course we monitor her and keep this limited. But that's just it, prior to Jane's surgery she wasn't the dog we had to monitor anymore, it was Garland. We have now had to change our focus and keep a close watch on LJ. After the sutures came out the vet told us that the cone could come off, but quite frankly she is a perpetual licker if that is even a thing. To give her a break from the cone, we take it off during feeding times and when she can be monitored at home. Otherwise, the cone is left on her so she doesn't lick her skin off!

I have to keep reminding myself that it has only been three weeks and that she is doing well. Our neighbor happens to work at our Veterinarian and knows both of our dogs very well. He said that Jane looks to be doing well. She still has a slight limp to her gait, but as she continues to strengthen that hip and leg it should go away. Fingers crossed it is only up from here! See below two short videos of Lola-Jane's progress in just 3 weeks. 

And not to forget...

Our Garland is doing well! Soon, I will have a post up with her progress report. We miss her dearly, but she is learning a lot and from what we hear is enjoying her training.

XOXO

Robyn