It has been a few months since the accident in August but the sharp yelp in pain is still vividly in my mind; the rush to the vet immediately, not knowing what the next would be, the first surgery didn't work well, the second surgery came in and the rest of the story seems so far away but it also seems like yesterday too.
Mika is doing well or at least, he is forced to do well by all the walkies and swim that I imposed on him. I've been very hard on him after the vet told me that Mika's leg was starting to have muscle atrophy and the last resort was swimming and walking. We started with walking but Mika refused to walk with the injured leg in the beginning and he was really stubborn. No matter what we tried, he hopped!
So, my husband got a big water tank the next day. It wasn't easy for Mika either as it was the first time he was put in the water and we could see he was frightened, the leg was still in pain and he didn't know what to do in the water.
I started it with 5 minutes and gradually extended the time to 7 minutes to 10 to 15 to ... 30 minutes. I know many people might think I am crazy and cruel. Even my family members thought I was rather mean to a poor injured boy. Some of my friends told me that as long as Mika is alive and happy, hanging the leg up isn't a big deal after all. I was in a dilemma on 'Should I just let it be or put some last efforts in it' then my last question was WHAT IF... Swimming seems the only way he exercises his injured leg and if I didn't want the muscle atrophy to get worse, it's the only way.
Mika gets stronger each day by swimming and it's amazing to see he can survive through every 30 minutes session, his breathing is steady and calm, he becomes more muscular too.
Slowly he started to walk with the injured leg while we were walking him on the leash about two weeks ago and he is walking better with that leg lately. However, it only happened when he was on the leash. Funny things happened at the vet and I'm sure Eva had already told you about it in her previous post.
So, it was a surprise to see a four legs walking Mika coming towards me and my husband while we came back from shopping yesterday. He only walked for awhile then he hopped happily again for the rest of the day.
Again, Mika walked a bit on his own this morning.
I know it's still a long way to go BUT I took all these as a good sign AND I really want to share my happiness with all of you today!!!
33 comments:
This would be the happiest piece of news to cap of the week :) I'm happy for everyone especially Mika.
Licks, hero
I'm so glad it is finally working! Clearly, there is a huge difference in the way he stands on his leg.
That's wonderful! I'm sure that hopping is a habit by now and also the injured leg might get tired quickly, but the fact that he's starting to use it is a great sign that he's healing. You have done a wonderful job of working with him to make him better.
lotsa licks, Lola
wow!!!
What amazing progress Mika has made!
You definitely did the right thing...and....always listen to your heart....not to the naysayers!
Tears came to my eyes when I saw that last photo! Amazing!
I'm so happy too :)
Amazing news! Hurray for Mika! It's your persistence with the swimming that has made Mika strong enough to stand on four legs like that! Great job and good for you for not giving up!
This is great news! Can't believe the big difference in the pics.
What great news! I am happy she is starting to use her leg, even if it is only sometimes:)
Oh this is so wonderful!!!! What happy news fur a Friday!!
Yay Mika!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the good work!!
MinnaK
So wonderful to see that foot on the ground, you are taking such good care of Mika.
This is fabulous news! I'm so happy for you and Mika. You obviously made the decision that was right for you both. Congratulations!
This is great news! We are so glad that your hard work is paying off. Happy for you and for Mika :)
Kisses,
Emma Rose
I'm glad you are better Mika, Love Coco
You were defiitely giving him a much fuller life by being hard on him....and he is very lucky to have you. If I hurt my leg I would want the physical therapist to be making me do my exercises and taht I got as good as I could, so good for you. So glad to hear things are going much better! Can he do sit to stand like really slow so he has to use his muscles, not hopping up, and if you have things like soft beds or pillow cushions, my friend got an old mattress someone was throwing out on the ground so that their dog had to walk on it, and they are really encouraged to shift their weight and use all their legs.
Thank you so much for the wonderful news! Giving the support he needs is definitely helping him recover and we are with you every step of the way.
Just looking at Mika standing proud on all 4's is like showing us that he can really do it. We are so proud of you. For sure even Princess Eva is helping him towards his way to recovery.
Weeeeeeee!
Love,
Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai & Wai-Max
Those pictures tell a lot. You are doing a great job rehabbing Mika and I wouldn't let anyone criticize you for it. He is a very fortunate boy to have someone dedicated to him like you are.
Good to hear Mika is coming along! I know it takes time but better to perserver and heal correctly and in time:)
What great news to hear!
Woofs,
Pepsi
We just have more words of encouragement and praise! Nice job both of you!
Good for you for being so strong. Mika is really looking good. Diana
That is great news! Way to go Mika.
Congratulations! That is great progress!
We had a broken leg foster dog once, a long time ago, who wouldn't use her leg, either. Her rehab consisted of a mile and a half walk every day and part of it had to include an incline, because I guess that wears them out faster and makes them use the leg. The water therapy sounds like a lot more fun, though!
His leg looks so much better now in the photo. You'll see, keep up the exercise and one day he'll keep right on walking on that leg.
Wow! You can clearly see how much better his leg is now.
I'm so glad that you trusted your instincts and kept him swimming.
You are starting to heal. Good for you, Mika. Deb =^..^=z5
We are glad to hear that Mika is on his way to recovery. May he keep doing well.
Love, Bella & Ollie.
HIIIII<
It is so good to see u all after sooo long. Finally it is weekend and we have promised ourselves we will try and catch up with everyone.
This is such pawsome news.
We always believed Mika will be walking on all four paws again. Please don't feel guity and don't listen to what others say. u have done what is the best for Mika. NOTHING n ABSOLUTELY nothing like swimming to build up the muscles.
yes, hopping becomes a habit after sometime, because it is easier. Shadow was doing the same too initially. But of course he is a pup and puppies recover much faster than grown dogs.His limp is gone now almost n all his wounds have healed.
We are sorry u can't have an extra biscuit, Eva.we know what u mean. Shadow is good way too much food we think while we are starving!!!
Mika needs more protein, yes. his paw does look thinner than the other three.
Hope all will be well soon.
Happy weekend,
ginger n Buddy
Wonderful news! You were right to make him work! He'll be happier and healthier for all that swimming! Glad he's starting to use the foot on his own too! Good job to BOTH of you!!
Mika's back leg looks really good - you wouldn't know he'd had an accident, he's made such a wonderful recovery! I'm happy now!
We are sending many gentle cuddles of encouragement for Mika to keep up the good work and to listen to his momma and dadda so he gets all betters.
we're really really glad hear that, all the effort had really paid off indeed. when there's a will, there's surely a way ;)
Look at you! You look fantastic. Your humans are so wonderful to help you get better like that. It is great to read about your progress.
Slobbers,
Mango
That's awesome progress!!!
Post a Comment