A Few Pics of Mateo During a Free Swim at Therapy

[NYDDB]

Such great photos, he looks happy. I hope he is recovering well.

Thanks, Mike. It's slow going, but I expected that.

And yes- he really likes it at this place. Plus, today he was swimming without the life vest--- and he did really well!

 

[cinnamon roll]

Dear Santa,

All I want for Xmas is Mateo, and his mean mommy won't share. Can you please help? ray:

 

[NYDDB]

Dear Santa,

All I want for Xmas is Mateo, and his mean mommy won't share. Can you please help? ray:

Oh, man. And all Mateo wants for Xmas is his own swimming pool. And I know you have one, CR...

I may be screwed.

 

[cinnamon roll]

I have an extra bedroom................... Private dog park 10 mins down the road, and a mini van!!!!!!!

 

[NYDDB]

I have an extra bedroom................... Private dog park 10 mins down the road, and a mini van!!!!!!!

...And A MINI VAN?!?! For ROAD TRIPS?!?!

This secret shall be kept in the deepest darkest corner of the world...lest my beloved boy betray me.

 

[cinnamon roll]

I will get my message to that boy of yours!!! I have my ways.....be scared mommy be very scared.

 

[NYDDB]

:no2::no2::no2:

 

[cinnamon roll]

I will let you drive so you can go to yoga classes......I have alcohol..........You two could live with another artist......what else can I sweeten the pot with?? Oh yeah fenced yard and a house..........

 

[NYDDB]

I shall compose a list of my demands, shortly. :biggrin2:

 

[musicdeb]

Suanne and Terie, you two are hilarious!

 

[Rugers-Kris]

That boy looks like he is having a ton of fun! It is great that he is actually able to enjoy his therapy! I just love him.

 

[NYDDB]

That boy looks like he is having a ton of fun! It is great that he is actually able to enjoy his therapy! I just love him.

Thanks, Kris! He does enjoy the water- but most importantly he's working really hard.

Our 5 week evaluation/assessment is coming up this Friday with the vet at this center. I am hoping he will see improvement...in any event, we can re-evaluate and fine tune his treatment based on how Mateo is doing...

 

[QY10]

How did the assessment go?

 

[NYDDB]

Well, a mixed bag. The vet sees improvement (as do I and the therapists there), but he is guarded as to a full recovery. Time will tell. He did bring up the subject of surgery-- and he did so in terms of "the big picture;" i.e. he said Mateo does not appear to be in pain (and any discomfort he feels he has probably gotten used to); his quality of life is good; and he is able to move around fine....just with a gimpy gait if he trots or runs. And him being a mastiff, as opposed to say, a Border Collie or hyper Labrador...it's not like he is a high energy dog whose lifestyle will be dramatically different than it is now.

So, it's a toss-up in terms of pros and cons of surgery. He did admit that the surgery is harsh- cutting into the bone, etc., with a long recovery time that can be quite painful. No guarantees as to a complete recovery there, either. But, he did say that "once it's done and over with, I wouldn't have to worry about his knee anymore." But, after all the research I have done, I don't quite buy that--- there can be lots of complications.

So, after much discussion with people whom I trust, including a medical doctor who now works holistcally with dogs, I am saying no to surgery.

I also have to say, Mateo has gotten stronger and more willing to put full weight (a bit more) on his injured knee than before he started the water therapy. Another 5 weeks and we will re-assess.

I'm going with my gut on this one, though: no surgery. I simply don't want to put him through it...

Here's a few pics from his last swim:
The second pic he is "resting" between laps, with the therapist using his leg as a support.

Mateo really loves going to this place; last week he FLEW down my 3 steps into the car service, LOL.

 

[musicdeb]

You have to go with your gut and be confident that you have made the right decision for Mr. Mateo. Looks like he's really loving the pool.

 

[NYDDB]

You have to go with your gut and be confident that you have made the right decision for Mr. Mateo. Looks like he's really loving the pool.

Thanks, Deb. Sometimes, when you read and research too much, it's overwhelming. My head was starting to spin....

But, overall, he is his same happy self; he has adjusted to a slower pace of life, and is not in pain. As long as I continue to see improvement, I will continue on this path for him.

And he does love the pool. He wanted one for Christmas but, sadly, Santa did not come through.

 

[NYDDB]

There were also some positives that the therapists pointed out on our last visit.

One was when Mateo came over to the bench I was sitting on during the consultation, lifted himself up to put his two front legs onto the bench-- she said, "Oh- does he do that at home, too?" I said yes, a lot-- she said that was a really good sign, because in that position the weight is shifted towards the back; so he must feel comfortable with holding his weight like that. (I'm paraphrasing.)

Another therapist said she did not notice any crepidation(sp?) within his knee- no crackiling sounds, which is a good thing.

Also, she asked if he ever does a full back leg stretch- I said yes... a lot! She also said that was a good sign..

And that his muscles seemed nice and relaxed (not stiff and tight.)

So, that's good.

 

[musicdeb]

I tend to agree with your decision to no surgery because it sounds like he's improved and his quality of life has not changed that much.

Bad Santa didn't deliver a pool to Mateo. Bad, bad Santa.

 

[QY10]

I don't buy the whole "once it's done you won't have to worry about his knee anymore" either. The odds are 50/50 if not worse that you'd end up having to his other knee as well from all the overcompensating from the recovery.

The risks with surgery seem to outweigh the positives, in my opinion.

I love that second picture of your boy! He looks so relaxed and happy to just be floating around in a pool!

Angus' therapist has me doing those types of stretches with Angus, too. I get his front paws up on a chair and dangle treats in front of him to get him to hold the position. hehehe

I definitely think you're doing the right thing for Mateo and I am sure that he will continue to improve.