It's been 8 months since Ziggy ruptured his disc. The dear boy continues to make progress towards walking.
The progress is just really, really slow. Painfully slow. Depressingly slow.
8 months of taking a dog out in sling every single time he needs to go to the bathroom - rain, shine, humidity, wretched heat, freezing cold, below freezing cold, etc. - really starts to take its toll.
It also takes a LOT of time. Think about how many times your dog goes outside to go potty each day. Then multiply that by 15. That's how manyminutes hours The Husband and I (mostly The Husband, doG bless him, since he works from home) spend each and every day taking Ziggy outside.
But Ziggy does continue to progress. Here are some things we're seeing now that we weren't before:
The video below was taken at ISU earlier this month. The rehab specialist at ISU was really happy to see his paw placement, and to see how he is really getting the paws on the ground in the right way, and using them to push off.
Ziggy's spirits continue to be very good. He even scoots to the front door barking when he hears something outside. A little IVDD won't keep him from guarding the house :)
The progress is just really, really slow. Painfully slow. Depressingly slow.
8 months of taking a dog out in sling every single time he needs to go to the bathroom - rain, shine, humidity, wretched heat, freezing cold, below freezing cold, etc. - really starts to take its toll.
It also takes a LOT of time. Think about how many times your dog goes outside to go potty each day. Then multiply that by 15. That's how many
But Ziggy does continue to progress. Here are some things we're seeing now that we weren't before:
- Ziggy is able to hop along on his right leg if he is held upright. That right leg really seems to know what's going on.
- The left leg is coming along, too, and if I hold Z between the hind legs he can sort of walk.
- Sort of meaning both legs are moving forward, paws landing on the ground correctly, and then pushing themselves off the ground. The left hind still moves to the inside so much that Z needs the support to stay upright.
- Better movement in the cart.
The video below was taken at ISU earlier this month. The rehab specialist at ISU was really happy to see his paw placement, and to see how he is really getting the paws on the ground in the right way, and using them to push off.
We finally have the cart adjusted better, but it's still not perfect. You'll see something fall out at the end of the video. It's a memory foam pad I made that helps him stay straight in the cart. Definitely a work-around. I would most assuredly go for a custom cart if I had this to do over again (which I really, really hope doesn't happen).
Go Ziggy, Go!
We haven't been as diligent as we should be with Ziggy's rehab lately. Life has been hectic, I've been traveling a lot... But we are doing "incidental" rehab. For example:
- I make Ziggy support himself when he's peeing (instead of the sling holding him up).
- I also make him support himself when he is standing outside, and when I'm putting his sling on him. I'm keen on making him "stand like a big dog" (and, yes, I do say this to him) whenever possible.
- Instead of letting him scoot to his bed when we come in from outside, I'll often have him stand, then support him between is legs so he can "walk."
Ziggy's spirits continue to be very good. He even scoots to the front door barking when he hears something outside. A little IVDD won't keep him from guarding the house :)
