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py for a couple of months and to SLOWLY let her have more activity. If you let her go too fast she could potentially blow out the surgery or end up crippled for a week or two and necessitate a trip to the ER Vet for pain management. We don't want this.
She gets insanely excited about her walks because her activity has been restricted. We are up to 1.5 miles daily and this should continue to increase over the next couple of months. She needs to build up the muscle in her thigh to compensate for what she has lost. She needs to continue her range of motion exercises and calisthenics multiple times a day too. She can only take a full flight of stairs under controlled circumstances (meaning a leash) because otherwise she tries to hop steps. This means gates to block your stairs. A couple of steps to go outside isn't a big deal, but a full flight is. This will gradually be less of a concern has her muscles strengthen and the surgery is a solid success.
Kéya has been allowed free roam all day and has been a good girl. She knows her commands, has good house manners, and stays with us. She still needs work on the leash, but she is better than what she was when she arrived into foster care. Kéya is a typical Labrador wiggle butt when you get home from work or just came in the house from going to the mailbox. She is a perpetually happy girl that will give you a toothy grin multiple times a day.
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Update 1/27/17
Kéya's PT is coming along well. She is up to 25 minute walks daily, but only on leash. No romping for at least another month. She also gets daily range of motion exercises and calisthenics to build up the muscle in her thigh to compensate for the muscle (CCL bilateral) that she lost.
She is spastically happy to go for her walks and is a bouncy loon until we actually get out the door. Of course, she acts that way when get home from work too. She calms down pretty quickly though. So, that is a pretty typical Labrador.
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Update 1/6/17
Kéya had her surgery today. She gets the splint off Monday, sutures out the 21st when PT starts, and another x-ray the beginning of February. Right now, it is looking like late February before she'll be ready for adoption.
She is uncomfortably resting this evening.
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On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Kéya came with us to a family home and was surrounded by lots of people. She did fabulously! She was around a 5 year old girl, and there were no problems. Of course said little girl's food was awfully tempting, but Kéya behaved. When new people come over, or she goes some place new, she is super excited, gives her toothy smile, is bouncy, and will bump people. After 5 minutes, she chills out.
She needs the exercise because it will help keep her weight down, and she's happier. We've been able to wean off 8.2lbs. since we've had her, which she needed to lose. She loves romping at the dog park. We can even take her to the state park, which has no fencing, and she stays with us. She'll explore of course, but she always checks on us and comes whenever we call.
She will happily cuddle with you if you are so inclined, but is fine laying in her own bed, too.
The Vet confirmed she has arthritis in the knee she had surgery on. If she had surgery when the injury had happened a year and a half ago, she'd have almost none. DGP (a supplement), liquid Nordic Natural fish oil for dogs, and losing weight has helped her quite a bit.
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Update 12/22/16
Hey! Hey you, are you lookin’ yet? It’s Kéya here, and I’m wrigglin’ away just for you. I’ve gotta’ tell you about myself. My foster Mom says I’ve settled in, and my personality is just a shinin’. I’m so excited and happy . . . I’d show you my wonderful, toothy grin if you were here. My grin does seem to startle some humans, but it's what I’ve got, so I use it.
I have excellent house manners . . . no begging for me. I know my basic commands and even, “Kéya, kennel” – in I go, but of course I have to have a treat. I even grab my leash when I go in the travel crate. I’m only crated when my foster parents are at work or we’re traveling. I’ve had free roam of the joint for up to 3 hours, and I’ve been a good girl. I get free roam at night. My foster parents thinks I’d be fine having free roam all the time, but they say they’re building up to that. I don’t tear things up either.
I’d love to be out playing with my bumper every day but my foster Mom says, “No, you have to wait until after your surgery, and your leg is healed . . . otherwise you’ll be lame for the night.” So, instead they take me for walks or to the park where I can be off-leash and run around without annoying other people by being on their property. I have really good recall . . .I don’t want to lose the people I know.
When I first arrived at my new digs, I was anxious, and I’d whine softly ‘cuz I didn’t know what was going on, and I didn’t know these people, but now I’m good. Initially, I’d only sleep on the dog bed that came with me, ‘cuz, hey, I wanted something that smelled of home, and I didn’t know if it was really ok to be on those other doggie beds. I’ve adapted, and now I know it's all good. At first I had to be encouraged to eat. They kept giving me vegetables, and I wasn’t so sure about those, but I like ‘em now.
I’m good with other dogs, too. Well, I should say with mid-to-big dogs because that’s all I’ve been around so far – I can’t say about cats, but it's probably a no because I was used for hunting previously. I’m good with kids, but I might knock over little ones ‘cuz I’m a big girl, and I’m wiggly.
My foster Mom says I have to tell you about my bad habit,…well it isn’t really a habit so much as something that I’m working on. (*hanging my head* <sigh>) Um, well, I need leash training. There, I said it. I need to work on my leash manners, and I am, really, I am. My foster Mom says she doesn’t like being taken for a walk, and it's dang well going to be the other way around. She’s stubborn that way.
Anyway, it’ll be awhile before I’m ready for adoption because I have to have surgery on my leg and do my PT work. In the meantime my foster parents take me out for exercise everyday so I'm losing weight and building up the muscle that’s gotten lax.
Let L.E.A.R.N. know you’re interested in me by emailing labmatch@labadoption.org if you’ve already filled out an application and been approved. If you haven't filled out an application yet, go to www.labadoption.org/info/adoption and start the process. I can’t wait to show you my grin and give you happy wiggles when you get home.
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Update 12/11/16:
Kéya's surgery is scheduled for Jan. 6th. X-rays showed a complete tear in the rear right CCL bilateral and arthritis.
In the meantime we will be working on getting her weight down and building up the muscles in her hind-end. Hydro-therapy will be especially beneficial as well as some supplements to help with joints.
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Meet my new foster Kéya (pronounced Kaya). She is only 4 years old and was surrendered because her former owner has a new job and doesn't have time for her anymore. She needs to have ACL surgery from an injury that, according to the Vet records, is a suspected CCL bilateral tear and happened over a year and half ago. Right now if she exerts she won't use her rear right leg.
She has pretty good indoor manners, but her outside manners need work. I have a feeling once her leg is fixed she will RUN for her bumper to get her exercise. She is built big and tall. She needs to lose 10lbs, which will also help her leg.
So far she is exhibiting the typical Lab personality. She is pretty easy-going but had a little dominance growl with my female Lab during the first meet; otherwise there have been no issues. She goes into her crate with no problem. Her favorite and only toy is a bumper, which she will happily race after despite her leg. So far she isn't interested in any dog beds except the one that came with her, or she'll lie on the floor.
Stay tuned for updates. It would be wonderful if donations could be made for her surgery. Just click on the "sponsor this pet" to make a donation for Kéya. Thanks! :-)