Since I last blogged we’ve had our first and second water treadmill sessions which felt like another hurdle crossed off. Back when we started this long process I had ideas of hurdles in my head and getting back to treadmill therapy was a big one for me. To me it signified the path back to normality and restrictions being lifted.
Again, I read on many Facebook groups that peoples surgeons absolutely didn’t recommend treadmill or hydrotherapy again until week 12, but our surgeon was happy for us to start at week 7/8 and start to build the strength in Huckleberrys leg back up.
When we got there last week I asked about timescales and the physio said they sometimes get dogs in as soon as week 2 post surgery because being in the water is good for them to begin to weight bear again and not harsh on muscle joints etc - providing it’s done properly and with a qualified hydrotherapy and physio person. So, please - don’t take what you all read on these Facebook groups as gospel. Speak to qualified professionals instead!
Anyway, I was nervous and had visions of his hip popping out mid treadmill session, so obviously I expressed these concerns and was told not to worry we would start from the very beginning again and not at the capacity we were pre surgery.
Huckleberry took back to it all like a duck to water. He loves any play that involves water so he practically ran in the treadmill doors and stood bobbing his head in and out the water whilst it was filling up again. Daft dog!
We were very lucky to have 2 people with us for his first session; the owner and huckleberrys dedicated physio. So both were able to tell me what was going on, answer questions and explain what we were looking for and doing.
They both noted that Huckleberry was using his leg really well and weight bearing pretty even about 60/40. Obviously the aim is 50/50 into both legs but they said it’s rare for a dog to be walking so well after only 7 weeks.
Those that have followed our journey will also know we aren’t out the woods with needing luxating patella surgery on his left knee too, but interestingly they commented that again, he was one of few dogs they’d seen that was using the knee almost normally so soon after surgery. Both said I should remain optimistic we can’t manage the luxating patella without surgery now we have a fully functioning hip and the means of building muscle around the knee in the correct way.
Now, in staying fully transparent, I have noticed his left toe sticks out when walking - I’ve almost joked the surgeon didn’t align his leg correctly LOL! So I mentioned this, and we watched on the water how immediately he walked straight. Again, they told me to remain optimistic that this will correct its self as muscle builds in the next few sessions and usually it can take up to 6 months. Apparently it’s common in all hip replacements because the dog has to learn how to use their leg correctly after not doing so, for so long. 
Following session 1, I was anticipating a sore dog for that evening and even had got the metacam out ready! Pre surgery hydro caused him to almost be unable to walk for a few hours after and he wouldn’t be able to go for a walk comfortably that evening. My anxiety returned a little and I felt again that sense of feeling that if he was sore, we’d done something wrong and surgery hadn’t worked. The two ladies told me not to think like that and he could have some soreness in his knee following so not to feel too disheartened if he did look a little stiff.
So we arrived home, I took him out the car and he bounced to the door - not sore at all! Phew! Obviously we kept an eye on him that evening and the next day but I’m pleased to say he had no soreness or any signs of being stiff at all. It’s a Christmas miracle!
That following week, I ramped up his walks to 3k per walk almost. I realised it was silly doing it in time as some days we spent a lot of the 30 minutes sniffing without actually walking as far, so I dug my Apple Watch out and began tracking his walks again. I started at approx 2.25k and then have been building to 3k on some walks by the end of the week. My plan for next week is to increase some to 3.5k and see how he manages. I’ve set myself a target that I want to be achieving 5k consistently again for our 12 week check up in 3 weeks time.
Between our first and second treadmill session we had our yearly vaccinations and also his kennel cough one too. He was due his kennel cough about 4 weeks ago but as it’s a live vaccine the vets were hesitant to give it him so soon after surgery when his body would already be fighting to heal. Nonetheless, it’s all done now thankfully. It’s interesting how absolutely petrified he is at our local vets but not at the specialist one. It’s perhaps something to consider in the future as I hate how scared he gets in the waiting room, but for now I won’t look to change whilst we’re still waiting for a decision on his knee as it could hold paperwork up etc.
The thing I’ve found difficult over the last week or so is when it’s been warm we would automatically head to the beach for a nice long walk, but obviously we haven’t been able to and I’ve felt that similar stab of “why us” but I know this isn’t for much longer.
Phoning to book our 12 week sign off appointment made me feel a little emotional. All those weeks ago I couldn’t imagine getting to this stage and having a dog so happy and pain free, but as time moves on I now find myself forgetting what’s happened and almost feeling like we’re back to normal life.
The anxiety and worry definitely hasn't gone though. There are moments I "forget" what we're going through, but 9 out 10 times, I'm watching him like a hawk still and every time he tries to run, I want to protect him and stop him - but I know if something is going to go wrong, it'll go wrong, so I have to trust myself, Huckleberry and I guess more importantly the process of all this.
Aside from the above, I don't have much else to report - it really is true that when you hit week 6, it kind of all just rolls into one!
Until the next update, as usual, if anyone has any questions please reach out to us! You can also follow our journey on Huckleberry's instagram page: @huckleberryfincockapoo
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