My Friend Jasper’s Recovery
I have been spending a lot of time with my friend Jasper. He is a black and tan shepherd mix who is here at Kentlands Veterinary Hospital twice a week for rehab after major orthopedic surgery. Unfortunately for Jasper he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and had a tibeal plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). I didn’t know that this was a common injury to dogs (and cats). I thought this was something that happened to the football players that I see on television on Monday nights! If you want to find out more about the procedure you can read more about it here. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=3547
The doctors here remind me that it is more common than you or I might think and medicine has advanced to the point that we can fix them and get back to all our fun activities.
Jasper’s surgery fixed the problem, but in order to get back to running and jumping he came to see us for underwater treadmill therapy, range of motion exercises, and of course some love! When Jasper started working out in the underwater treadmill there was a lot of water in there. Jess, who does his therapy, reminded me that this is so there was less stress on his joints, especially after his surgery. Slowly, as he got stronger, the water got lower. This make Jasper work a little harder and start to gain some muscle back in his surgery leg. The underwater treadmill looks fun – even to a cat! I just might want to get in and try it myself one day.
Healing from a major orthopedic surgery takes time and Jasper’s owners were very committed to bringing him regularly for treatment and to helping him heal. Stay tuned for an update on Jasper and my other furry friends!
Meow for now!
Una
The doctors here remind me that it is more common than you or I might think and medicine has advanced to the point that we can fix them and get back to all our fun activities.
Jasper’s surgery fixed the problem, but in order to get back to running and jumping he came to see us for underwater treadmill therapy, range of motion exercises, and of course some love! When Jasper started working out in the underwater treadmill there was a lot of water in there. Jess, who does his therapy, reminded me that this is so there was less stress on his joints, especially after his surgery. Slowly, as he got stronger, the water got lower. This make Jasper work a little harder and start to gain some muscle back in his surgery leg. The underwater treadmill looks fun – even to a cat! I just might want to get in and try it myself one day.
Healing from a major orthopedic surgery takes time and Jasper’s owners were very committed to bringing him regularly for treatment and to helping him heal. Stay tuned for an update on Jasper and my other furry friends!
Meow for now!
Una
