08.07.13-13.07.13
SO PROUD!
Everyday the duo have be patient (Jessie a little more so!) they have their own wheat packs that we heat up and they love the warmth on their back and legs, then my sister and I do twice daily massages on their muscles, they get stiff quite quickly as other muscles have been used more to save pressure on their operated knees.  Last week Jess also had some laser heat therapy which really seemed to help her.

I put the wheat packs in their beds at night too, the doggies love it - they sleep all night nice n snug.

Last night we did our third treadmill/hydro, Jessie did really well, she is less stressed and doing the movements well.  Marty wasn't as good tonight, he was stressed and really just wanted to swim rather than walk in the water....

This afternoon they had their fourth professional massage with Griselda and I was so proud of both of them, they did their stretches really well, Marty was much more relaxed.

I cannot state enough how important these two rehab procedures are - these little babes have had major procedures and the rehabilitation is imperative to a long and healthy life.  We all need an oil and tune and animals are no different.  If we have knee surgery we have physio etc afterwards, all the muscles of their body are affected and maintenance is required.

Jess has found her new home and I have started packing her bags - it is a hard feeling to describe, I saved this munchkin from a pound where no one wanted to pay to have her surgery done, she was born with straight hips, which affected her knees.  Her knees are now normal as possible, but her hips and muscles will always need attention, just simply massage and heat packs, a small sacrifice to have a delightful gal in your life.  I believed in her and to watch her progress over these months makes me realise why the job of rescue is so important, how many gorgeous souls would go by un noticed?

The job of rescue is hard, but also just so rewarding, I know Jess has a long, long life ahead her with a family that will adore her and that are willing to keep up her rehabilitation ..... It will be a hard goodbye but when each one leaves they leave a little of piece of them in my heart, they are never ever forgotten.

Marty has still got a bit of rehab to do too, we are still unsure if the other leg will need surgery down the track.  He is also having some treatment to calm him down, he has alot of male hormones that need controlling, he is an adorable little man, but he will be booked in for training sessions in the coming months too!

As panicked as I was months ago about what was in-store, I look now at how far they have come, I am so grateful to the wonderful supporters of Moving Paws and their donations that enable us to help these precious ones at their second chance.

Photos below:
1. Hydrotherapy treadmill at Glenside Vet
2. Jessie having a much needed shoulder stretch from Aunty Gris
3. Jess n Marty have a relax after their massages
4. Jess taking a stretch after her treadmill session
5. Marty enjoying his massage
6. Video of Jessie doing so well on the treadmill

23.06.13 - 07.07.13

Things have progressed over the last fortnight, our treadmill appointment on Sunday 30th June, saw Dr. Needham at Glenside Vet Clinic showing some additional exercises to help with Jessie's stiffness, her hips are the real area of concern as she was born with "straight" hips rather than hips at 90 degree angles, so she walks very straight.

Our goal is to ease the tightness for Jess to make it easier for her to sit and for the long term make her legs more flexible.  Marty is going well, but he is quite tight on the inner thigh as he is using additional muscles while walking.

Their second attempt at treadmill was alot better than the week before.  We were pleased.  We are using a heatpack twice a day on the guys to warm their muscles and then doing stretches, flexes and sit and stand exercises.  If you push Jess to far it does hurt, so we are careful to just take her to the right level.  Marty's attention span is the problem, he is just not tolerable to the exercises, but trust me we persist!!!!

My sister and I think they have done really well over the previous week.  They went back to treadmill today 7th July and the vet said there was noticeable improvement, but we must keep persuing it and working with the guys. The sit and stand is the most important exercises as well as he small flexes.

The treadmill was a delight today, they both understand it now, no so scared and both did 4.5 minutes each of walking.....which is really good.  Their walking was alot more defined and their movement was good. 

It is so rewarding to watch these little munchkins.....to see just 3 weeks ago, they were so scared of the water and today they ran into the treadmill room.....

It shows how much the after operation care is, the twice daily exercises is imperative to these doggies long term success, together with good nutrition and rose hip powder and fish oil - their bodies need to be looked after.

Pretty proud Foster Mumma, I am.

Jess and Marty Update - 16.06.13-22.06.13

16.06.13-22.06.13

Well this week I can breath!
Last Sunday Jess and Marty had their second massage with Griselda from Doggy Bliss - things seemed to be improving....Jess fell asleep during her session - once she has settled and her legs have been attended too, its time to relax and enjoy....
Marty is a wiggle bum, but he did really well - he has a short attention span, but Griselda works wonders with him and we certainly get a lot from the sessions.

Monday was Jess second cartrofen injection and she was back walking on her back right leg, I felt so much better, the vet was happy - It was me that was panicking!

Marty can still be lazy at times and when he wants to get somewhere fast, he hops/runs on three legs - it is all about getting him to slow down, walk properly and use the leg.

They have their daily short walks and stretches, Jess does well, wiggle bum is a little harder to get to sit still!

The week went well and we were very happy.  Today, Saturday 22nd - we had our first underwater treadmill session.  I had done this previously with my own bub, Toby when he had patella surgery quite a few years ago, I know the ropes and I know the benefits.

Off to the vet we went, Jess was first into the small puddle of water to get herself use to the situation, she was scared and not loving it at all, we reassured her and put water in the treadmill, she did a few minutes walking, but she was nervous and not really liking her feet in the water, we didn't push her.  What I am going to do is walk her in my bath tub to get her use to the feeling of water and walking, this should help her relax more with the situation.

Marty was running around while Jess was having her session and then when it was his time, his brakes came on.....he popped himself in and was fine walking around in the puddles (a daily occurance for him, but its normally mud!) we put the water in and he just wasn't sure at all.  We took our time and I help him either side with my hands while the treadmill began, he seemed happier with a bit of pressure on him and he used his back leg really well for the 2minutes we worked him.  The rest of the time they walk casually in the water.

The water helps the leg be used without the pressure of the ground - it is a great thing and we are lucky to have a vet in Adelaide with the service.

The vet feels that Jessie's legs are still quite stiff, even though she uses them, she is not bending her knee correctly just yet and the treadmill is going to benefit her greatly, once we get her use to it.

We are booked in next Sunday for round 2 and this Thursday will be massage number 3 with Aunty Griselda.

So proud of my pumpkins!

Photos attached are massage number 2 and treadmill session number 1 and Marty in the car on the way home - tired, tired, tired!

08.06.13 to 14.06.13

Well, the best way to sum this week up is - disappointment. 

Jessie hasn't really used her right leg all week. I saw a change on Sunday and she visited the vet on Monday, they put her back on anti inflammatory tablets and gave her a cartrofen injection (she will have 4 / one a week).

The vet explained the right leg was the worse side and more work was performed on that knee. 

We had to ease the exercises and cut back the depth of the stretches. 

It was easy to see it wasn't comfortable for Jess when my sister and I did her twice daily exercises. 

We are a bit sad because up until last weekend she has been fantastic, you start doubting yourself, did we do something wrong? But then you have to think if the extensive scope of the procedure that had been performed on her knees. 

Marty uses his leg, but not as much as he should! I think he is just being a tad lazy? I know it would be stiff for him, but when we do his stretches the movement is great, but he really is such a wiggle bum, to keep him still enough to do the stretches is a miracle, he really doesn't enjoy them. 

Walking - Marty loves it! Getting him just to walk slow and use his leg properly is near impossible! Even before the operation he would hop faster than any of the other dogs could run....I persist and when we do we see improvement. 

Jess hasn't been great with walking, she holds her right leg up all the time :(

We have massage number 2 this Sunday with Griselda from Doggy Bliss so will be interesting to hear her thoughts. Monday is Jessie's second cartrofen injection and vet check. 

Fingers crossed there is improvement this week for my cherubs!!! 

Photo attached is the two of them texting in front of the heater, there is part of them that is close, they understand each other! 

No change in their personalities they at both as cheeky and naughty as usual!!! 

01.06.13 - 07.06.13

Well I was back at work this week, always worried things weren't going to be as good as they have been.
Jess and Marty got their stitches out on Tuesday night, they both had a reaction to the plaster tape, so some cream and fresh air and it was almost healed within 24 hours - it was amazing they hadn't been biting at the plaster.
Jess had ripped all the stuffing out, it seemed to be annoying her, but was fine with her leg being strapped?

They have great spirits, their stitches aren't worrying them at all and the vet was so impressed at how far they had come in just one week.  I expressed how I was so nervous at the thought of having to watch them crawl as lots of videos and stories I had seen and read it showed the doggies dragging themselves around for the first 2-3 days - confined to a play pen.

Jess walked on her two front feet to start with and Marty just hopped but the vet thinks by not confining them I may have actually helped their progress, I did have them confined to the lounge room and access to the outside for business, but not confined in a small area as a play pen - which of course I had set up, but their spirits were high and I took a punt.

Jess is still not able to fully use the dog door, she seems to be able to get outside, but not inside, so I have made provisions for her for when I am at work, she gets checked on several times by my sister during the day and has play friends at home too!

My sister and I are doing 2 daily exercises on the guys to help with their movement and they have also started small walks on a lead - Jess started off a bit stiff but has progressed very well.  Marty is good, but can get lazy if he wants too (can't we all!).

Today they had their first professional massage with Griselda from Doggy Bliss - Jess seemed to really get something out of it and even managed a little relaxation snooze, Marty took awhile to settled (but that is his nature) after watching Jess he thought he would behave, get his flexes done and relax too!

Their stitches are out next Tuesday and being a long weekend I hope to spend some time doing short walks with them (slow walking and making sure the movement is the best thing) - Marty tends to pull and run and not get the full movement.

I have made the enquiries for them to also start hydrotheraphy/treadmill work which will hopefully commence once their stitches are removed.

All in all, I am a happy Mumma!

(you can see from the video attached nothing is holding them back!

30.05.13-31.05.13

I can say enough how scared I was that these two little ones were going to have such big operations, but each hour they never cease to amaze me.

On Thursday Griselda from Doggy Bliss came to visit them both and see their progress, she too was impressed at how far they had come in such little time.  We put together a massage/rehab program from them both that will last 8-10 weeks depending on their progress (starting next Thursday).  After Grissy left the two of them (and the others) sat quietly with me while I did Moving Paws paperwork, they are so self sufficient, getting around so well.  No pain relief today for Jessie or Marty - which is amazing!  Jess even started to weight bear on both back legs, she had been holding the left leg up until now.  Last night when I saw her walking (woddling) I couldn't get to my phone quickly enough to show everyone!

Marty is back to himself, but he is behaving himself (he is one cheeky boy!), they are resting as much as required (helping me with lots of book keeping!).  I can see Jessies personality coming through as well her cheeky barking at the other doggies has returned!

Today, Friday was a yucky day, rained all day so it was a perfect day for them not to do too much.  Jess had fresh bandages put on this afternoon, her little legs make the bandages slip down, the vet was pretty impressed too that she walked in..... Marty's legs are a big chunkier and the bandage is doing ok, although he was licking a little bit where it was itching, but I have stopped that with some cream.  The biggest thing with Marty is watching him so he doesn't jump off the couch or bed, he thinks he is back to normal.....but he is doing pretty good!

I am so lucky that I haven't had to confine them to a play pen (even though I had purchased two ready to go) I use them to block of the lounge room so they have this whole area and they have been so well behaved and so much better than all the articles I had read on the double patella surgery.  I am sure there are a few little people upstairs helping these munchkins through (one in particular, my little man, Toby - he had this procedure himself).

Like I said before I had been dreading this week - I hate seeing little ones in pain, but apart from the first night when Jessie had some anxiety so far it has been nothing but uplifting to watch such gorgeous souls go through such huge procedures with smiles on their whiskas!  I have enjoyed being at home with them, helping them, encouraging them and finally catching up on all the charity bookwork - it is never ending!

Cheers, Deb.

28.05.13-29.05.13
Marty's Op Time

Well yesterday it was Marty's turn for his patella ops and Jessie spent the day being monitored at the vet clinic.

When I spoke with the vet, she had only operated on one of Marty's patellas, she had found that their grades had improved since his examination and that it was worth holding out to see how he goes with his rehab on this knee and we will access how he is using his back left over the next few months.

Part of me was so relieved, but part of me is thinking, please don't let him have to have another op down the track.

Jessie was fantastic at the vet, quiet and used the time to recoup.  Once home we got the duo` settled - one each side of the bed.  Marty was so sleepy, he had his dinner (which was all over his face!) and then straight back to sleep.  Jessie made her way over and spent some time next to Marty (just like a big sister would - animals are so healing).  Jessie only made murmurs when she moved over in her sleep - I was amazed at both of them.  They both slept solidly through the night.

At 7am Marty woke to let me know he wanted cuddles on the bed, he popped up snuggled and back to sleep...then Jessie went from her bed into Marty's.  We had an early brekky to get their meds into their system and a very quiet day - it was hard to do to much as they follow me everywhere and I really wanted them to do some healing today.

They are both getting themselves outside for their business and both spent a bit of time laying in the sun this morning which was gorgeous.

Jessie is placing some more weight on her back right leg, still holding the left one up and Marty is almost back to normal in his personality (still a bit groggy!) but running around on three legs - nothing stops that guy!

The vet said really not to expect anything in the first week, but I really did think I would be holding them while they did their business and helping them down stairs and inside and outside the house - but they are so mobile so quickly.  When I go to help Jessie she gets mad at me - she wants to do it herself, she only wants to be picked up if it's cuddle time.

They both got cuddle time today, their Aunty Judy came over and they sat in the sun with lots of loving.  The other crew members are great - Jessie had play time with Daisy and Daisy was that extra bit softer in the tugging department - but still enough to be fun - sometimes I wish humans has more of their compassion.

Our dear friends at Dog Gone Walking and Minding have given Jess and Marty their own supply of Rose Hip powder to assist with their bone recovery and arthritis - we are so happy!

Tomorrow Griselda from Doggy Bliss will be coming over to say hello to them and we will work out a rehab program for them both.  Rehabilitation is the most important thing, no point in going through the pain if we don't follow through to make sure these cherubs get the best results.