Gait after surgery
Dr. Andrew Isaacs
DVM Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)
Dogwood Veterinary Referral Center
Primary interests include intervertebral disc disease, seizure management, luxations/fractures of the spine, and surgery for brain tumors
Question
PEGGY WANTS TO KNOW:
My dachshund, Daphne, had a hemi laminectomy on 4 months ago. I am just concerned because she is not walking normally now in April, her front legs look so funny when she is walking kinda stiff, maybe because she is trying to walk fast? The surgeon doesn’t want her to bunny hop. Never has told me to do any kind of PT. I have taken her to a licensed veterinary acupuncturist 4 times now, but didn’t start until March. Was I too late starting, should I continue? I just don’t know what to do, the acupuncturist thinks I should not have her on strict confinement, that I should let her have complete observed freedom.
ANSWER
I’m sorry to hear about all that Daphne has been through.
At this point it would benefit Daphne to have some physical therapy. Your finances are better spent on physical therapy than acupuncture (not that acupuncture will hurt, but physical therapy should take priority). It is never too late to start physical therapy.
Daphne’s thoracic limb gait is pretty typical. She is compensating (shifting the weight forward) due to the decreased function with her pelvic limbs,
Take care,
Andrew Isaacs, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM (Neurology)