I hate to hear that Max is having such a hard time following surgery. I know exactly how you feel as I'm sitting here holding my little guy about who is about 10 weeks post op for the same surgery. This is my 4th time to go through this surgery, with 2 different dogs, and it's never easy. You feel so bad for these little ones when they hurt. I kept mine on the pain meds for about 3-4 weeks and it's never been suggested that they undergo any type of physical therapy. Granted, I'm certainly not a vet, but I can't imagine having poor little Max go through any sort of physical therapy at this point if he is still tender or painful at all. Both of my little ones have done great without Physical Therapy - I kept them on crate rest for 8 weeks with limited movement; then they were allowed back to normal activity, at their own pace. If I were you, I would seriously weigh the advantages of loading him up in the car and taking him in for physical therapy appointments at this time. I think it may be more exhausting and stressful for him than good. You know him better than anyone - you may want to wait a couple of months and give him a chance to "heal" both physically and mentally before putting him through any more challenges. It's obvious how much you love him, but right now the most important kind of love for Max might be to just lay low at home with you and heal. Just my 2 cents - for what it's worth! Good luck to you and little Max - as everyone has said, he's luck to have found you. |