CHAPTER I
Aspen's TPLO Surgery (Left Leg) and Rehabilitation Journal
Thank you for your continued support in Aspen's journey to recovery!
Monday - March 29, 2010 I had Liebe and Aspen into Brighton Animal Clinic today for their heartworm tests and 3 year rabies vaccination. While Dr. Martin was giving Aspen a complete physical he asked if I had any concerns. . . I dropped the "intermittent left rear leg issue" on him. After lots of stretching and checking Dr. Martin said I should probably see a specialist.
I wasn't panicking. . .just thought I wanted to get to the bottom of this. I hate to run agility and have Aspen come up lame. Here is Aspen running an Excellent Jumpers Course in February. You can see a slight bobble before the weave poles. She ran this for her AXJ title and was 7 seconds under course time for a first place!
I have an appointment for Friday morning with an orthopedic specialist to get to the bottom of this. Aspen is doing fine although I have been keeping her quiet and no agility practice. If it is more serious, like CCL (in humans it is ACL), I want to get this taken care of as soon as possible so that we can start healing her. If it is just a hamstring pull, I am sure the "peanut ball" on order will help with that. I need to know. I don't like surprises.
Friday - April 2, 2010
This morning was our visit with the orthopedic vet/surgeon at Aspen Meadow Veterinary Specialists. Aspen is scheduled for Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) on Wednesday April 7th. At least we have gotten to the bottom of this and it can be fixed. I was VERY impressed with the surgeon Matthew B. Rooney, DVM, MS - Diplomate American College of Veterinary Surgeons - Surgical Veterinarian/Practice Owner. They performed two x-rays to be sure the knee looked as it should. There was 3 times more water in her knee area than should be. Without doing an MRI, Dr. Rooney believes this is a grade 1 tear (on a scale of 1 to 4) - so very minimal. I found Dr. Rooney to be very easy to talk to and, of course, extremely knowledgeable. He has fixed 100's of working dogs (agility, police, field, etc.) and is confident that she will be 95 to 100% perfect when we are done. He did give me two options. . .don't do anything, run her hard, wait and see what happens (like a total tear). . . or go in with the scope, be sure what we are dealing with, and fix it. I believe the second option made more sense. I certainly think she is going to come through this better without having gone through a total tear. Aspen will have to spend the night in the hospital when she has the surgery.
It is interesting to note that this was NOT caused from agility but running in the back yard. Aspen came inside last fall after running around the yard and was holding up her left rear leg. I massaged it, iced it, and she seemed better in a couple weeks. From all the reading I have done, this is VERY typical. . .it is hard running or playing ball/frisbee or rough housing that tears a CCL. . .not from agility or field work like one may think. I have noticed when she pees she spreads out that left leg more. . .and when she sits she never tucks it under herself. Although her gait is still very pretty on the treadmill, I just knew something was up. The last time it was aggravated was at class when she decided to go over 2 - 24" jumps - that is my silly girl!
Wednesday - April 7, 2010
I just talked to the surgeon, Dr. Rooney, and Aspen is out of surgery and coming out of anesthesia. Everything went just fine. It was a partial tear as he expected. Aspen should be 100% after recovery. He said that if Aspen was only a "weekend warrior", just doing occasional walks, he wouldn't have fixed it. However, since we will be back to our loving sport of agility in the near future, it was a must. He told me to call later (they are open 24 - 7) and I can get another update. There is a vet there all night and a nurse within 5 feet of Aspen's crate. I believe she is getting better care than most people get in the hospital.
Thursday - April 8, 2010
I picked up Aspen at 1 p.m. . .and home by 2:30 p.m. She was so happy to see me . . . she was a very good patient.
 Aspen with her scarf that said "They took good care of me at Aspen Meadow" (and I sure agree with that!) |
We will go to her first PT session next Wednesday and staples come out on the 20th. Dr. Rooney said she can be competing in agility by the first of August. I personally think that is pushing it. I want to be sure she is totally healed before we even think about that. When Dr. Rooney was in there fixing the CCL, he also fixed a slight luxation in Aspen's patella. Of course I was concerned about that because you hear about patella's as being an inherited condition in the terrier breeds. He assured me it was not inherited . . .that it and the CCL went hand and hand for getting messed up/causing problems in the other.
Aspen Meadow sent us home with a detailed instruction booklet which is great. I have also found a lot of good information at the Top Dog web site.
Sunday - April 11, 2010
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Monday - April 12, 2010
We finally got a chance to get some pictures of Aspen this morning. She is doing fantastic. I can feel the leg getting stronger and stronger already when I do her exercises with her each day. She is using it more and more when she goes out to potty. Aspen still can't figure out why she is in the crate all the time. The incision looks fantastic, no swelling, redness, etc.
 Morning icing - we ice three times a day. The stylish grooming job. 
 Staples in her leg. Sling. . . although we aren't using that much any more. |
Wednesday - April 14, 2010
Aspen's first PT session was today at 2:30 p.m. in Longmont at Canine Rehabilitation and Condition Group (CRCG) and we expect a complete recovery. All of these people have been just FANTASTIC to work with. The session went fine and they are amazed at how well Aspen is doing. . .already bearing weight and trying to "run" but still on a short controlled lead. We met and worked with Jenni who will be Aspen's personal physical therapist. She showed me some more massage and stretching exercises plus did a laser treatment on her. She is now suppose to get an extra 5 minutes of walking a day and next week she can do the stairs once up and once down as long as it is slow and controlled. We have staples removed next Tuesday at 8:30. . . I can't hardly wait for the surgeon to see her. It sounds like we will add the underwater treadmill in a few weeks. It is pretty slow right now with rehab because we are waiting for the bone to heal. I gotta tell you, Aspen was not happy about being in there. . .the rehab is in the same building as the hospital. . .we got there a little early and another dog was in the rehab section so I sat outside (in the hospital area) and Aspen shook like a leaf. Poor baby. Other than that, she is in great spirits and is ready to blow this pop stand (the crate).
Tuesday - April 20, 2010
Aspen's staples came out this morning at 8:30 a.m. Dr. Rooney is totally delighted with how well she is doing. He said "I don't know what you are doing but keep doing it. . .she looks fantastic". Then he gave me a big grin as he said "she is even putting weight on it!". Well, she has been putting weight on it since she got home I replied. I guess that is really a good sign. If she wants to go fast, which she isn't suppose to do, she will kinda "bunny hop" the rear end but I try to keep it slow and controlled so she uses both rear legs.
I extended her evening walk by a little bit. . .I am not using time as much as distance. . .tonight we got to the second big tree behind the house on the canal road. Our next appt. is May 19th at which time they do an x-ray (6 weeks post op) to see how the bone is/has healed.
Sunday - April 25, 2010
Aspen had a massage today by Deb Towndrow Woof and Hoof Massage. I have known Deb for many years and she is fantastic. She was also instrumental in helping YD (Aspen's Mommy) recover from her CCL surgery years ago.
Wednesday - April 28, 2010
We had a PT session this morning and Jenni got her in the underwater treadmill. It was only at 1.0 mph for 10 minutes but we will increase from there. Aspen REALLY enjoyed it. I wasn't sure what she would make of it but she climbed right in, gave a "oh look at the rising water" look, and got down to moving just as she should. A couple times she would try and just "float" and ended up at the back of the "aquarium" and had to hurry forward but you could just see she was enjoying herself. At the end of the 10 minutes she picked up her leg which worried me. This is common for the first couple times so nothing to worry about. I was also given more exercises - up to this point it has been more massage and range of motion - now we are actually sitting and standing, etc. I was also told she should be walking 15 minutes 3-4 times a day. Not sure when it went from 5 to 15 minutes. . .I obviously missed something. Aspen continues to be most of my work each day but I want to be sure we rehab this correctly. We received two free PT sessions with the surgery package. . .today I bought a package of 5 underwater treadmill visits.
Wednesday - May 5, 2010
We had another PT session this morning. Jenni felt that Aspen doesn't have good balance on the "fixed leg" and is still favoring it. . . but once we discussed it hasn't even been 1 month post op, she feels Aspen is where she should be.
Madison did run into her on Sunday night while we were getting Aspen off the couch. I wasn't happy about that and then Aspen picked up her leg.
I think if anything it is my fault on the balance because I have been giving her a little "lead" when we are out walking and I need to keep her right by my side and walk slow. I will try harder this week. Jenni did agree that August 1 for agility was pretty aggressive. I assured her that I wasn't going to do anything with Aspen until she is 100% and we have had time to train. In my opinion, there is no "date" that I need her back by. . .just take it one day at a time.
I did find this funny. . .we set up an 8 inch jump and tryed to "walk her over it". Aspen kept jumping over it. I told Jenni that you don't ask an agility dog to walk over anything. . . they have been taught to jump for heavens sake.
Here are some pictures of Aspen during her PT session today in the "doggie aquarium".
 Loaded in and waiting for the water to come up. Aspen worked for 20 minutes today.  We also increased the speed today. |
Friday - May 7, 2010
When you take slow walks, you see a lot of really interesting things. Here are some of the things on our walk this morning. . .
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Wednesday - May 12, 2010
Another PT session. . . progress is slow but steady.
Wednesday - May 19, 2010
We saw the surgeon today - 6 weeks post op - and he was very pleased with Aspen's progress. He indicated that the x-ray looked exactly as it should for this time. Then we went to PT and we pushed her a bit more in the "dog aquarium". We are pretty much status quo for now. . .with a few new exercises. . .more stairs now. . .longer walks. . .but no craziness. We are still keeping her on a leash but not as much crate time. At 10-12 weeks we will probably start low jumps. She still has an occasional hitch in her giddy-up but the surgeon was not worried about that. We are headed to the SSCA National Specialty in Bloomington, IL shortly. We need to make a huge effort to get Aspen's walks and exercise in each day.
Wednesday - June 3, 2010
Home from the National. PT in the new facility today which is located in Broomfield - only 11 miles from the house so half the distance. We were one of the first clients in there. It is just beautiful!
Thursday - June 10, 2010
Aspen had another massage with Deb. She was amazed at how good she looks/moves.
Wednesday - June 16, 2010
Things couldn't be better. At PT today Aspen gaited 20 minutes in the "dog aquarium" with some cool down and speed up for the total of 30 minutes. We just signed up for 5 more sessions and then PT is done. We probably are okay now but she enjoys it so much and I know how good it is for her. We are walking 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 miles each day (in the morning only because of the heat) and doing hills and jogging in the grass in the park. Aspen is getting stronger and stronger. She is now out all the time and can climb stairs bearing weight on both legs. I still keep her on leash if out in the back yard with everyone. They want me to start doing some agility stuff like a low dog walk, tunnel, low jumps, etc. but I am a little gun shy. . .I don't want to slow her down to do the obstacles and I am not comfortable yet with her running "balls to the wall" like she does. We are only 10 weeks post surgery. Slow and steady wins the race IMHO.
Wednesday - June 23, 2010
Another PT session in the beautiful new facility. We hope you enjoy the pictures. . .
 Canine and Conditioning Rehabilition Group is located on 116th Circle in Broomfield, CO 
 Really pretty sculptures near the door. Being the good, yet cautious Standard Schnauzer, Aspen wasn't sure it was okay to sit there for a picture. She is a funny girl! 
 Many of you asked how she gets into the dog aquarium. . .left is Aspen entering. . .the door is closed. Right is water filling up - sorry about the glare. 
 Left is warm up . . . right is some of the neat artwork they have. 
 Left is a picture of the rehab area (they are suppose to be adding yet another underwater treadmill). The pool is on the other side of the two windows. Right - Aspen is up to her "speed" 
 Left - we trot Aspen at about 3.6 mph for 15 minutes. . . right - the water is lowered but the speed remains the same. It is more difficult to move with the water lower and she keeps this speed up for another 5 minutes.  Aspen is on the cool down phase now and we are lowering the water so lots of splashing - she has worked for 30 minutes! 
 This is the pool you could see through the double windows. I want to get Aspen in here and see what she thinks. . .I will inquire on that next week. I know there was a period of time where they didn't want her to actually swim so I need to see if we are okay on that. This pool can be rented, there is open swim, and of course rehab. It is also an "official size" Dock Dog pool. . . very cool indeed! |
Thursday - July 1, 2010
Aspen had another massage this morning. Deb suggested we space the next one out to 4-5 weeks since she is doing so well.
Wednesday - July 7, 2010
We have continued weekly PT visits even though I don't always write about them. Today is the 4th of the second package of 5 that we bought. It is scary to think PT is almost done. I have enjoyed the weekly visits as has Aspen and it keeps me honest as far as keeping up on her walks and exercises. Jenni measured her muscling today and she is only 2 cc different from the "fixed leg" and the "good leg". . . amazing! It seems that 5 to 6 months is the magic number for the muscling to be back and I think Aspen is doing great. We are only 3 months post surgery. There is no hitch in her movement. . . no adverse affects to some of the 2 mile walks we have taken each day except she wants more. Next week we are going to do 1/2 the time in the "dog aquarium" and the other half in the big pool. I am anxious to see what she thinks of swimming. This will be another thing that we can do while we are waiting for her to be 100%.
Wednesday - July 14, 2010
Another great PT visit. Aspen did 20 minutes in the "dog aquarium". Here are a couple pictures of Aspen today.
 Click here to watch a short video that Jenni did of Aspen in the "dog aquarium" today. |
 
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Wednesday - July 21, 2010
Today Chris taught Aspen how to swim! Safety is of primary importance at "Aspen's" rehab center. You can just see the care and concern that Chris has for Aspen. We will do another private swim lesson next week with Chris.
 The first challenge was getting her down the ramp into the water and reassuring her she was fine and could do this. 
 The next step was teaching her where the ramp was so she could swim to it and get out of the pool.  Aspen trusts Chris and was a very good student. Here he is taking her to the other side of the pool so she can swim in and find the ramp. 
 At the beginning she trashed the water with her front legs which Christopher says is very normal. 
  By the end of the 15 minute private swim lesson, Aspen was relaxed in the water and actually swimming. She was able to use the ramp herself to get out of the pool. Videos of todays swim lesson follow. . .remember to use your browser back button to return to this page from You Tube. Click here to see Aspen's first attempt at swimming. Notice how she thrashes the water with her front legs. Click here to see Aspen actually swimming. She is already quite relaxed and confident with Christopher. Click here to see how easily Aspen uses the ramp. |
Today was Aspen's second swim lesson with Christopher. He calls her "The Tug Boat". Aspen seemed to remember what she learned last week. . .using the ramp and how to swim. Today Aspen swam the length of the pool and back a dozen times. She really got in some great swimming! Each time "The Tug Boat" came out of the pool she was wagging her tail. . . I think she is enjoying herself. Toward the end of the swim, Aspen didn't even walk all the way down the ramp into the water but dove in. Next week we will increase the swim time by a couple minutes.
We have also started doing the full height teeter totter, "open" weave poles, and 12" jumps in addition to her daily walks of 1 1/2 to 2 miles. Slow and steady.
 
Video of todays swim lesson follows. . .remember to use your browser back button to return to this page from You Tube. Click here to see Aspen's second swim lesson. (The lighting was really bad today with the afternoon sun coming in the windows.) |
Aspen had her third time in the pool with Christopher today. Roy went along and was able to get some great video of her. For those of you who asked, the pool is a regulation Dock Dog Pool and measures 20 feet wide and 40 feet long. Aspen did LOTS of swimming spending 22 minutes in the pool.
Left - Aspen acts like it is just another swim in the pool. . . right - Lots of praise when Aspen gets out of the pool. Video of todays swim lesson follows. . .remember to use your browser back button to return to this page from You Tube. Click here to see Aspen jumping into the water and swimming a lap. Check out that turn at the end! Click here to see another lap video taped from behind. Click here to see Aspen swimming the pool and how pleased she is with herself when she gets out "did you see me swim, Mom?" |
Aspen enjoyed another massage this morning. She is doing so well, we really don't need to go back for 7-8 weeks unless she starts having issues. Deb said to keep doing what we are doing.
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Aspen goes for her walk today with Cassi and Merry. . . a 2.5 mile walk. Once we get home, Aspen is favoring her right leg (the good leg). I massaged and iced for 48 hours and it seems some better.
Wednesday - August 11, 2010
Today is swim day with Christopher. I talk to him about her limping on Sunday and we decide to go easy on the swimming today. I have been talking about taking Aspen to see Dr. Rooney the first of September for a 5 month post op check on her fixed leg. I called and got an appointment for August 20th just to be sure we are okay.
Wednesday - August 18, 2010
Aspen has another great swim with Christopher. She seems stronger than last week.
Friday - August 20, 2010
We see Dr. Rooney at 10:30. . . my worse suspicion has come true. . .Aspen's good leg (right) has a partial tear.
Click here for Chapter II of Aspen's TPLO Surgery and Rehabilitation Journal.
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