c. Massage: Stimulates blood flow and prevents scar tissue within muscles.
Apply deep pressure to the quadriceps and hamstring muscles (large muscle groups at the front and rear of the thigh). Start at the knee and move up toward the hip. Massage for 2-3 minutes before and after PROM.
d. Walking: Helps maintain strength.
SLOW and CONTROLLED walking (not trotting) on a leash 5-10 minutes twice a day. Walk on level surfaces, avoiding hills and steps at first.
2. Weeks 2-4
a. Continue PROM and massage.
b. Increase length of walks gradually to 15-20 minutes twice daily by week 4. Stay slow and controlled!
c. Ice after PROM and walks.
3. Weeks 5-8
a. Continue slow, controlled leash walks. Gradually increase to 20-30 minutes per walk. Add the following while walking to build strength:
1. Walk your dog in a figure 8 pattern to the left and right. Start with a large figure 8 and walk the pattern 5 times in one direction before changing to the other direction. Over 3-4 weeks gradually tighten the figure 8 and switch directions more frequently.
2. Do sit-to-stand exercises. Stand your dog alongside a wall with the operated leg against the wall and ask him to sit and then to stand several seconds later. Try to prevent your dog from walking forward when standing up to make this more difficult. Start with 3-4 repetitions 2-3 times a day and build to 10 reps.
b. Continue PROM, massage, and ice.
4. After the second month add some of the following:
a. Continue all above exercises for strength and range of motion.
b. Add uphills, snow or grass to walks.
c. Slowly go up and down stairs
d. Set up a line of cones or obstacles and zig-zag through them.
e. Incorporate balance exercises by having your dog walk over couch cushions on thefloor.
f. Use leg weights wrapped around both ankles (even if only one leg had surgery) andhave your dog walk around for 2-3 minutes at a time.
g. After 2 months, you may allow short periods of off-leash activity while supervised.
The above exercises should become a part of your dog’s normal routine forever to help keep strong and flexible, and maintain comfortable mobility!
