More answers or more questions

After our visit to the holistic vet, I seemed to feel like I had more questions than before. I had anticipated that things would be clarified and a clear plan of action could be taken. Maybe it was just me feeling overwhelmed.

The vet confirmed that Riley had either ruptured or partially torn what she believes is two (of many) small ligaments in the left hind knee. I think she said one anterier and one lateral, but I cannot recall exactly at this point. His right "hock" or ankle was also testing weak. In addtion, his back was a little messed up too. So a little back adjustment here, a little there, and he was walking pretty straight again. We left with a musculoskeletal support supplement and another supplement (Boswellia) that would help reduce the swelling. I was happy to have something other than aspirin for him.

Her advice was 4-7 months of rest.

Gulp.

Well, when you really think about it, the rate we are going now, we certainly wouldn't be doing what we are doing now in 2 months. Little by little we are supposed to increase the duration and intensity of exercise until enough scar tissue is formed to support his knee. So in order to determine his progress, we will set up an appointment with an orthopedic specialist to do an ultrasound of his knee. The vet said we should be able to see in the scan where the ligament has frayed or torn. I decided we should go see Dr. Trout at Angell Memorial. He is very well known in the Berner world. We have an appointment October 10th.