14/10/2024
Two years ago Duffy damaged his left front leg resulting in a condition called RUIN and 6+ months of slow rehab back to normal exercise.
Sadly this summer he's been very lame on the right front leg. We had a referral to a vet specialist in orthopaedics and neurology. I think they x-rayed and scanned every inch of him. They tested him for Brucellosis as well as Leishmaniasis. He's got a form of elbow dysplasia.
The vet says no surgery. He's had months of no exercise just lead walks to the garden for the toilet. Now we've been given instructions to build up exercise again to find the balance where painkillers keep him comfortable without lameness. They say, with luck, he should get to around an hour. I'm so happy to be able to start taking him out again, but sad that we won't be able to take him out for full days on the hills again.
I'm looking in to dog slings in case he ever needs carrying when we're out, if anyone has experience/recommendations in that area or anything else that might be helpful we'd be grateful.
Along with the list of 'donts' came the instruction to get Duffy 'skinny'. He's not happy about that.
Here he is enjoying the puddle at the park this week.
