Chihuahua refuses to walk on hind leg

Jennifer Price · 03-17-2008, 02:11 PM

I have a 1yr old Chihuahua that had surgery on his back right leg for a luxating patella. This surgery was the last week in Jan. aprox. 8 weeks ago. When he gets excited and "forgets" he puts the leg down, but 95% of the time he still holds it up when walking. The surgery costs over $1000.00 and I am hoping it was not a waste and he will one day just start to walk on this leg all the time. The vet says it is all in his little apple head and I hope he is right. Does anyone have ANY suggestions? We tried to bandage the good leg and the silly squirt walks on his two front legs like a circus act. I just want my four legged friend back I gave him the surgery so he could have a normal pain free dog life and want him to get to it ASAP! Thank you for any help I just don't know what else to do.
Jennifer

linxx36 · 03-19-2008, 10:08 PM

did you do any range of motion exercises with him after the surgery? have there been any radiographs taken since the surgery to make sure it was done correctly? sometimes, dogs just do not want to use the leg...how long was he having problems before you had the surgery done? talk to your vet about bandaging the front leg on that same side, to force him to use that leg, that sometimes works.

Jennifer Price · 03-20-2008, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linxx36

did you do any range of motion exercises with him after the surgery? have there been any radiographs taken since the surgery to make sure it was done correctly? sometimes, dogs just do not want to use the leg...how long was he having problems before you had the surgery done? talk to your vet about bandaging the front leg on that same side, to force him to use that leg, that sometimes works.

Yes, I do range of motion twice a day with him. He also goes swimming in a hydro bath at the vet every week or two. I am going to suggest that they do more x-rays, however, I am afriad they will want me to pay and I am tapped out at this point. Do you think that should be be included? He waited about 3 months to have surgery so I could save up the money to pay for it. He was on pain meds during this time. I will also ask the vet about bandaging the front leg. Thanks so much for your suggestions. I am getting very frustrated and hoping I did the right thing doing the surgery. Thanks, Jennifer

wabanafcr · 03-20-2008, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennifer Price

Yes, I do range of motion twice a day with him. He also goes swimming in a hydro bath at the vet every week or two.

When my Flatcoat had LP surgery, they kept the water level low to force walking, not swimming. Dogs function really well on 3 legs and it is now a habit for your guy. He needs to relearn to use that leg. Other things they had me do were things like leash walking in figure 8's and walking across the slope of a hill with the bad leg on the down side--don't walk up and down but across the slant.