ROCKY'S PT BEGINS 19 MAY 2010

Debbie writes: Rocky has begun (finally) to show some improvement. We have been working with him for the last several days on exercises & physical therapy as we were instructed to do. Yesterday, Rocky had his first physical therapy appointment; it was reported that he did reasonably well. He is rewarded each & every time that he puts his toes to the ground. Don't get me wrong; he is very stoic and a bit bull-headed, so none of this activity is easy to perform, but I do believe that it is helping and that he is beginning to figure it out. Rocky received Electronic Stimulation to the nerves yesterday which didn't seem to faze him in the least. He was quiet and accepted the treatment. When he was done, they put the electrodes on me so that I would know what it felt like. They turned it up a bit higher for my benefit and I report that I didn't like it at all. His level of treatment was lower and, in theory, it is supposed to stimulate the nerve endings to get them used to working again. Rocky has quite a bit of atrophy, so I do a series of stretches & flexing several times a day to rebuild lost muscle mass. His range of motion in the ankle (or wrist) of that leg has also been compromised, so we work on stretching that as well. It has been five weeks since his surgery, and while I'm not a professional, I think he is doing well. I know that we have a long way to go. Since this was an old break, we don't know how long it has been since he has used the leg fully. I know that he has used it more in the last week than he has since he came into the care of Rescue. Rocky works well for treats and I am currently trying to teach him to shake with his good paw. Every time he even tries to lift it to me, it forces him to transfer weight to the other leg. That earns him a reward. His therapy will be costly, there's no doubt about that. We are receiving a rescue discount but it is all adding up. NCAR is working on some additional fundraising to help with Rocky's expenses, but we need lots of help. If you have donated already, Rocky thanks you from the bottom of his heart. If you've been thinking about helping, now is the time. Keep watching for more updates. He will be groomed tomorrow and I'll have those pics for you soon. AireHugs from Rocky & NCAR. ELIZABETH BERRY: This is fantastic - thank you SO much for everything you are doing to help Rocky. It was truly a blessing for him that he came into Rescue and found you waiting there to help him . . . . RUSTY LaFRANCE Electronic stimulation is very useful. I have my own tens unit at home and have to use it on my wrist. It is much like a railroad track that is blocked and the stimulus causes the nerves to communicate past the block and open the track back up. The point of blockage on the nerves causes discomfort and is like a Catch-22 . . . it hurts/you don't use it because it hurts. Without my right hand, I would be useless, and the tens unit (electronic stimulus) keeps me from having to have surgery (which doesn't always go right). So . . . if the principal is the same on Rocky, I am sure that it will help him. Later that day: I've had quite an afternoon with Rocky. I've never been quite so happy to see Rocky misbehave as I was just a short while ago. Lee & I are riding our bikes this evening in the Greensboro Ride of Silence (a bike ride held all over the country to raise awareness of those who have been killed or seriously injured by motor vehicle v. bicycle accidents. About five years ago while living in Kentucky, I was hit on my bike by a tobacco truck carrying a load of long leaf to a drying barn. Thank God I wasn't seriously injured). Anyway, I was changing my clothes and getting Lee's gear out & ready for when he came home, when Rocky temporarily resorted to his out-of-control wild-child self. He picked up a toy and started tearing around the house (on four legs), jumping on me, playbowing (on all four legs), and carrying on like a wild puppy. Sort of like the Rocky before his surgery. I was getting some socks out of a drawer when Rocky came running in and jumped up on the bed, using both front legs, and sat there looking very proud of himself. Now . . . I hardly ever let any dog on any bed. Once I let Eva (now living in Virginia) up on my bed because I felt so bad for her. Rocky has never been extended the invitation. Apparently, in his mind, he didn't need one. I was so tickled by his use of his leg that I gave him a big ear & belly rub and told him what a good boy he was for using his leg. Now he's lying here with his toy, just waiting for me to move because I know he wants to play that game all over again. HA. It is a good day in North Carolina. ELIZABETH BERRY: This is wonderful news - just like children . . . when they start misbehaving, you know they're feeling better! Go, Rocky!! Keep up the good work, Debbie!!

ROCKY BACK AT THE VET HERE