TPLO + 10 days (Sat 1-30-10)

Gigi is starting to get a little frustrated with the restrictions now.  Last night's response to Mom's return from work was a bit more bouncy, despite Dad's attempts to maintain "poise and decorum".  Requiring her to lie down before Mom approaches is all fine and dandy, but Gigi still gets a few hops in here and there.

It is still a team effort to walk her outside - one on the lead end and one on the sling end.  Gigi is trying to take over that routine as well - Dad is NOT allowed to lead and Mom MUST be in front "or the train don't roll".  Gigi tried to take us all "up the mountain" for a brief walk but Mom says no.  "Ok - so how about the briar patch - that was FUN!!"  (Ow.)

I don't know why it took me so long to get the concept, but it dawned on me this morning that the length of healing is directly tied to the regrowth of the bone.  Like a tooth implant, it takes a while for the bone to regenerate in the space created - and until that time the plate holds things in alignment.  Once the bone has filled in and strengthened, then we can begin putting stress and strain on it.  OHHHHHHHHHHHH.  I get it now.  Minimal exercise (potty walks) to keep the muscles from atrophy, but no muscle stress or building until the new bone cells are in place.

So off I went to the internet to see about the conditions which will support bone regeneration and nutrition is probably the best thing I can do as a bouvmom.   Check out the article I linked in (that endeavor took me a while to figure out...probably adds another week to my brain-life) on nutrition and bones.  I don't know that this is exactly the same for canines, but I would bet in mammals bones are bones.

If it wasn't snowing, I'd be off to the store for some "Missing Link"  nutrition supplement but tomorrow will have to do.  Meanwhile, it seems to me that now is not the time to hold back on the protein calories (in an effort to reduce Gigi's weight).  We can cut out the filler stuff, and perhaps on the tapioca... and I have her new frozen bone toy in the freezer for later. 

Hugs to all bubbies with bolts.