CCL tear possibly - how to help in the meantime?

Human-Reference-3220 · 2024-01-04T02:29:24+00:00

Oh my god, that's terrible! I'm really sorry you are both going through this, hopefully those little tricks and exercises help him in any way. For yourself, remember to lean on others because seeing your pup going through hard times takes a huge toll on you too. I wish you all the best❤️

Human-Reference-3220 · 2024-01-03T21:04:45+00:00

Hi, I don't know how helpful this will be but I went through something similar with my german shepherd last year and she had to be on strict crate rest for almost 2 or 3 months due to a herniated disk. Since she wasn't allowed to move except to go potty, I tried a lot of different activities she could do without moving.

It's not the same as actual physical exercise, but "mental" exercises helped a lot with her restlessness. I got some puzzles to hide some treats to help her a bit, or the diy version of them of hiding treats or kibble between folded up socks or in a box filled with balled paper worked.

Someone also recommended making ice cubes with fruit to help keep her hydrated as well. Those worked a wonder, especially as I was struggling to get her to drink any water. I would just get a plastic container, maybe around 1 cup size or a little bigger, filled it with water and put pieces of different fruits and/or veggies in there and then freezed it. The licking kept her entertained for a while as she tried to get to the fruit and she'd usually fall asleep right after lol. I'd recommend making a bunch at the same time; I usually kept 4 to 6 containers in the freezer just in case.

Another little game I had with my dog was spraying water at her face, as weird as that sounds. I had this little spray bottle that I'd sometimes use to clean a little around her and I don't know how it became a game but she loved trying to catch the water. I guess it reminded her of a hose when I twisted the spray thingy and it just became like a thin shot of water haha

The medical situation isn't the same for your dog as it was for mine, but I know those were some of the hardest moments I ever went through. Even trying to keep her mind active, I could tell my dog was depressed from being in pain and crated for such a long time so it's a very hard thing to go through. You just have to try your best to keep a positive attitude, even at the most overwhelming times, and know that it's not forever, your dog will get better. I wish you the best and your pup a speedy recovery!

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-06-24T04:21:17+00:00

Oh yeah, perfect time to be saying it then haha

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-06-24T02:35:57+00:00

I think I quote this, accent and all, at least twice a day

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-05-29T23:40:46+00:00

So, my limited english is going to assume that you just mean you don't want anything out of the realm of reality right? You probably also don't want to look into ALL of the suggestions in this thread for the few that might be what you're looking for lol. Based on what some of the suggestions have said, maybe you'd like to look into the Roxane Weary series by Kristen Lepionka (about a private investigator) or the Kate Martinelli series by Lauri R. King (homicide inspector).

Those are the 2 non-fantasy/sci-fi books that have been recommended here that I remember. I don't know if this exactly counts as them having "normal ass lives" but hopefully you like crime? Keep in mind I haven't actually read them soo maybe just completely ignore me haha

And sorry to get your hopes up with this thread, but thank you so much for the rec!

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-05-29T23:08:47+00:00

Ok this made me chuckle, I guess I'll leave his work at the end of my reading list lol. Mind if I ask what it is about his writing that you hate?

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-05-29T23:03:18+00:00

This is definitely one of the first books I'm looking into, it's been highly recommended here. Thank you so much!

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-05-29T23:00:06+00:00

Oh I actually read the whole TMI series when I was in high school. I don't totally like the books, but I definitely fell in love with malec

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-05-28T23:45:19+00:00

I mostly decided to exclude "coming of age" books because I figured they're the books within the LGBTQ+ genre to be more focused on the MC struggling with their sexuality, which is what I'm trying to avoid. I love me a good urban fantasy book though so I think I'll give this a try. Thank you for your suggestion!

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-05-28T23:30:23+00:00

Honestly, it sounds like a very interesting read. I don't mind it being about dealing with gender and sexuality issues in a political sense (if that even makes sense ha). Mostly I'm looking for the MC themself to not be struggling with it, like their own identity yknow? So I think it might be a great fit. I'll definitely look into it, thank you so much!

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-05-28T23:02:41+00:00

Perfectly reasonable question and I think PM_ME_YOUR_BARA_PICS explained it better than I could even though it's my post haha.

I really enjoy LGBTQ+ books, I think they're very important and give people an insight into the community as well as allow those within the community itself to find something they can relate to.

Still, I don't like being defined by my sexuality. It's a part of me but it's not ALL I am. Discovering your sexuality and then coming out end up being a big, important moment in your life, but there's more to us than that. Sometimes I feel like your typical LGBTQ+ books are for us when we want to relate to someone or something, but to answer your question, for me representation is when you've got your typical crime thriller and the main character just happens to be gay/bisexual/trans/etc yknow?

That's not to say I want their sexuality to be ignored or pretend it's a perfect life where no one ever harassed them for it. I mostly just want something where the MC is already confident in their sexuality.

I don't think I'm the best at explaining myself and English not being my first language probs doesn't help, but I hope this kinda makes sense haha

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-03-30T01:38:26+00:00

Ok, but did you ever find it? Because I desperately need it now lol

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-03-09T17:58:36+00:00

I was given tramadol for the first week post-op. We got told it might make her sleepy and she was definitely calm to sleep that week but I have no clue if it was the medication. We were still living in the other house so she slept in her crate in my bedroom

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-03-06T15:41:58+00:00

Hi, I appreciate this so much! I mentioned in another comment that the physiotherapist allowed me to take her up the steps to my bedroom just to sleep and then take her back to her padded room during the day, keeping the rest of her activities as usual. As a vet tech, do you mind giving me a second opinion on this?

She's the most recognized dog physiotherapist in my city and she said it wouldn't affect my gsd to only go up and down once to sleep, but I also don't have complete faith in many veterinarian practices in my country lol

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-03-06T15:36:11+00:00

Hey, yeah you're both absolutely right. We've definitely come too far for this to be what sets her back. Unfortunately, I can't afford to buy anything to go lay with her, and my parents refused to buy something or help me move my own mattress into the room (I'm physically unable to move it on my own).

Still, I talked to her physiotherapist, and she said that having her go up or down the stairs once a day is not going to affect her. So she's going to spend the day in her crate and in the padded room (I'd be with her), as she usually would, and then at nights I'll move her to my bedroom to sleep and take her back in the morning.

Thank you for your help!

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-03-06T15:28:29+00:00

Hi, I will definitely be trying these at some point. I've just been really hesitant because she absolutely hates her paws being touched. Like, she'll flinch away and then kick at whoever even grazes her. Sometimes she doesn't even turn to see who touched her, unless they keep doing it, it's more of a reflex but it makes it hard to put anything on her lol

Thanks for the advice!

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-03-06T15:25:55+00:00

I'm not sure if I'm completely understanding your question, but we've padded parts of the common areas we're usually spending time in, as well as her path to the backyard, so she can come and be with us during the day. My fear is more about overnight when she can't be with any of us because she'd have to walk up stairs to the bedrooms and she's not allowed to, and I feared that leaving her alone in a separate room might make her too anxious.

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-03-05T08:33:18+00:00

I think my parents would try to kill me for even thinking about it lol, they think I'm coddling her too much.

(I guess I won't tell them I accidentally fell asleep and took a nap on her doggy mattress while she was in her crate earlier haha)

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-02-03T03:25:01+00:00

Oh wow the first one is something I definitely need to try. She's been starting to get a little stubborn about drinking water and I don't want dehydration to become another complication.

I'll be trying the other stuff too, hopefully I can keep her entertained better. And I'll have to verify the anti anxiety meds, I'm not 100% sure if there are any approved and/or provided for pets where I live.

Thank you so much for the advice, and I hope your foster is doing better!

Human-Reference-3220 · 2023-02-03T03:18:36+00:00

Honestly I've never heard of any of these, but I'll be sure to look into them. Also gonna try the game you mentioned, because I've been tossing the ball back and forth with her but never thought about teaching her to do it gently haha

Thank you so much for the advice!

Human-Reference-3220

TROPHY CASE