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Post by Coco on Apr 18, 2016 9:00:29 GMT 10
My bitch developed a little swelling on her rear left leg under the hock 3 weeks ago after galloping (curb?). The leg was just a bit lame for a day or two but after that it hasn't bothered her at all. A vet did x rays and ultrasound and the diagnosis was a minor sprain in the flexor tendons. The vet told me to rest her for 6 weeks but gave no further instructions in excercising. So now it's been 3 weeks and she's only been walking, no running whatsoever. The swelling has come down a bit but I think it's still sort of there and is kind of more solid, is this something to worry about? Also do you have any tips on when and how to start handslips etc? Trying to get her racing by mid june, is this realistic?
Thanks so much in advance.
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Post by Tom Meulman on Apr 19, 2016 3:59:47 GMT 10
Hi Coco,
Your hands are a good guide, and if you can feel a slight thickening of the tendon or a lumpy area there is no doubt that the tendon has likely sustained a little more damage than just a tendon strain. Thickening in the tendon indicates the formation of scar tissue, and that can only occur if individual tendon fibers were damaged.
The best treatment at this point in time would be to massage that area with either Lasonil or Hirudoid cream as this will soften existing scar tissue and reduce the formation of new scar tissue. This is important as you need to maintain the flexibility of the tendon.
Thoroughly massage the cream into the area twice daily for three days, then nothing for two days, and then repeat the treatment for three days. Continue this for the next three weeks and by then your girl should be ready for whatever work you need to give her.
The reason for stopping the treatment for two days after each three days is to avoid a skin reaction that can occur with this type of cream.
Massaging the area with Hirudoid or Lasonil cream for three days after each of her first three or four runs back should assist in reducing further complications from that injury.
In regard to the type of work to giver her, a couple of handslips over 250 meters four days apart preferably on a straight track, and then a 300 metre handslip on a track into a turn. After that whatever running you need to do to get her ready to race, just try and avoid running surfaces that are too hard as that will place additional strain on the tendons.
Cheers,
Tom
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Post by Coco on Apr 19, 2016 4:23:43 GMT 10
Thanks Tom, your advice is very much appreciated!
Will try one of those creams and hopefully she'll make a full revovery.
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