A new chapter opened up for Mr. Wiggles
when his sister underwent major orthopedic surgery, recently, for a
torn hind-leg ligament. It was serious stuff, a life-altering injury, if not handled properly. The surgeon chosen was the best in Canada, probably the
universe. We could not have asked for better. Failure to have addressed this
potentially crippling event, expeditiously, could have enslaved our girl for life. Much was at stake.
It has been nearly three weeks since
her surgery. Our girl was an 'ideal' candidate, with perfect blood, lab results and weight, prior to major surgery. The surgical skill and
precision required defied the imagination, we soon realized. (Metal
pin and screws now reside inside her.) Delaying the surgery
would have been a costly mistake, altering her quality of life
experience.
Sally is a retriever and retrievers need to run, jump and
play. But now, walking at a slow pace, for short periods of time, is
part of her new routine for the next three months. She has done well
from surgery. It was now my turn to take direction and help her the rest of the way.
Physiotherapy is central to the
recovery of any orthopedic patient. With animals it is even more
critical since they cannot tell us where it hurts or what we are
doing wrong. It is inconceivable to think that they understand the
ramifications of 'short cuts'. As a pet owner, I was determined to follow treatment
protocols at home. Within days, edema surfaced near the incision
site. A doctor's visit alleviated any concerns I might
have had. Had restricted exercise and her prescribed medications, addressing inflammation, painkilling and sedation, contributed to this 'wrinkle' in
her recovery game? Probably. No time for investigation, just observation. (Medication has its place whenever
surgery has been performed. We couldn't cope without it).
Mr. Wiggles, our in-house expert,
affectionately now known as Dr. Wiggles, began to fuss and fidget
with his sister. He came with a disclaimer, however. His opinions, on
all things retriever, though understood, ethereally, were not wanted
at crucial times of exercise. But he was always present, especially
when she was being 'helped' out of the house, waiting for her at the
bottom of the two concrete stairs, in case she wanted to run with him. I held her
tightly. Her ROM (range of motion) exercises were daily reminders of
the scope of the injury she'd suffered and my duty to her health,
recovery and quality of life.
Dr. Wiggles begins to follow us: the
patient and the care-giver, on our daily walks within the fenced area. Therapy sessions,
her short leash walking and massage moments, make him acutely aware
that things are different and he might be needed to 'wiggle' a happy tune to help. He is the caboose
in a very short train, moving slowly behind the locomotive and the
passenger compartment, ever so disquietly, or sometimes beside us. He is patient and
aware. Her 5-minute slow walks are too slow for him, however. Our Dr.
Wiggles wants a more upbeat tempo. His normal routine has been
affected. He is trying to figure out this new math. Shorter walks, in
the pen, lasting 5 minutes, means less for him, he surmises. But this
new family routine will be different, not less. Dr. Wiggles begins
to run and play, with lattice ball in mouth, releasing his pent up
energy deep inside. His one hour per day of retriever time will be
maintained throughout her recovery period. His health matters, too, I
tell him.
They were no longer the awesome couple
of the run-bump-grab. Hockey was definitely out of the question, now.
Had her injury occurred during one of their brief minute brawls? He
was always following her as she was the boss of him. But now he
seemed lost. There were to be no stairs for Sally, without
assistance. No running or jumping, either, for her. A special sling
for supporting her hind end, when going up or down the two stairs, leading
outside, began in earnest and for walking, also, to avoid tripping or
falling. Weight bearing exercises, by week four, became important.
Perhaps a 'saddle' was needed for bearing down on all four legs, a
few minutes per day. The baby-gate helps immeasurably in containing
her world view of things. Sometimes, sudden noises make her jump and
run. Her 'cone' helped to displace her senses further while the
'gate' contained her. The cage was used in emergencies only and when no one was there for supervision.
With his 'dogtorate' degree, in paw, our sweet, sometimes annoying Dr. Wiggles, begins to administer to his sister, the 8-year-old former runner, jumper, hockey player. Without warning, he approaches her, head-on, reminding her of the good ole' days with the ball she used to tug. She cannot carry on as before, perhaps later. We must toil together till we reach the finish line, two months from now, I tell him. Does he understand?
How her injury occurred is of no
consequence now. It happened. 'Sally' began hobbling 6 weeks ago. We
hoped it was a sprain. We were wrong. (We had kept her on leash,
until seen by her doctor). Two weeks later, she had surgery. She is a
great patient, being reminded often to stay. The sofa is off limits,
till further notice, so I sleep on it, at night, to keep her at bay.
She gazes at it, as nighttime approaches, hoping I will change my
mind. I will not. Retrievers have minds of their own, too.It is in their DNA.
Orthopedic surgeries can re-occur. In
life, if it happens once, it can happen again, whatever it is. Alas,
we do not need an encore performance. I follow the step-by-step
detailed instructions from her illustrious surgeon. I study the home-care
instructions. There are many in this week by week rehabilitation synopsis. There is method to his plan. Her
plastic 'cone' stops her from licking her incision but that was never a
problem. She is 2 weeks ahead of her recovery schedule and
walking/standing well. Her doctor and her surgeon are pleased. The use of the plastic collar continues as it curtails her
inclination to move quickly and jump when I am not close by.
She stays quiet and is reminded of her special circumstance. Dr. Wiggles
is watching and wondering when order will be restored. He tries to
excite Sally to play with him but all attempts fail. We are watching
him, too. If this can happen to her, it can happen to him.
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