Weeks 4 & 5 pain free

We have now reached the end of week 5 post-op and the most noticeable aspect (aside fur almost fully re-grown over shoulder) is that Jaidi no longer shows any post-op lameness. This means he is fully weight bearing and has full ROM on right forelimb.

In this time we had our post operation follow up with the surgeon. He also confirmed good ROM, but still advised lead walking / straight lines to avoid any high speed twisting of limb and potentially damaging the repair.

So our modalities during these weeks have had a strong concentration on our strengthening work, with a focus on

• Proprioception
• Balance
• Joint flexion

Additionally, we still continue stretching (with PEMF and massage) but now focusing back on all limbs and spine, not just the right fore. We also continue with treadmill work but had gradually

• Increased speed to a peak speed of 2.9 kph (which is above Jaidi's warm up speed of 2.5 kph). Distance per session is now >0.8 kilometer.
• Introduced incline / decline to shift body weight back and forwards respectively (therefore increasing load)
• Changed time to first 15 minutes per day and now up to 20 minutes every other day

Eventually the aim is to have Jaidi back trotting which significantly increases the weight bearing per limb (at a walk its around 100 - 110% body weight per limb, rising to 200% at a trot, as only 2 limbs contact ground at any one time at this gait).

Strength work

As mentioned above, this is now where we concentrate. These are examples of some of the exercises we are doing:

Shifting from side to side placing each front paw in turn on a pod

Higher cavaletti poles to further encourage active flexion

Balance on bones shifting weight from side to side