It seems unbelievable but today Cookie is 7 weeks post op and we really feel we are coming out of a very long dark tunnel. When we took her for the procedure back in early February, it’s fair to say we were at a very low point. She was having her second TPLO surgery in three years and the previous few months had seen her in some obvious discomfort and she had lost that bounce in her step and spark in her eyes.

I think we had put off the inevitable, instead convincing ourselves we could get her though it with some rest and painkillers. Gradually though it got worse, and in the end the decision was made for us as she was obviously struggling and had a pretty poor quality of life.

It’s wonderful today to be able to say that Cookie is in a really good place with her recovery and the improvement can be seen daily. She is ahead of schedule and has already had two excellent sessions of Hydrotherapy and is walking for around 30 minutes a day with almost no limp at all.

After her last operation we took Cookie to Sian at Country Canines Hydrotherapy and we were delighted with how she progressed there. Unfortunately for us the hour each way travelling made it a little prohibitive so this time we looked for somewhere a little closer to home. After contacting a few places we got a really good feeling about Cheshire Canine Hydrotherapy and took Cookie for the first time two weeks ago. Well it’s fair to say that she loves it there and she almost drags me through the gate to see Daniel who has been working with her.

It really is wonderful to see her back to her wonderful bouncy, slobbery self and we are delighted with her progress there and feel we made an excellent choice with Sam and her team.

So what have we learnt from this the second time around? The number one has to be to listen to the vets advice. We followed the instructions religiously and when we had questions we called and asked them and I’m sure this has helped her excellent progress.

You have to be cruel to be kind. I hated leaving Cookie shut away on her own, particularly at night when her face was so sad that I just wanted to let her out, but we had to stay strong. She is still kept away from the other dogs which will continue till she’s discharged in a week or so but she now has more freedom at night. No stairs or furniture or off lead just yet as we introduce everything back slowly but it’s for her benefit and you just have to keep thinking that.

She is on a course of painkillers but these will be reduced I would guess at her discharge appointment, She is currently on YuMOVE 360 which she has a double dose of at the moment and I really think they are helping in her recovery. She is having one session of Hydrotherapy a week and we will continue that to try and build up the muscles in her legs which have suffered with the lack of exercise.

We have reduced her food to reflect her activity levels, which she is delighted about, but we need to keep her light and will increase it slightly as her exercise gets back to normal. Going forward it really is going to be a case of managing the obvious arthritis she has and a big part of this will be with the help of The Canine Management group. Monty and Cookie have become Cambassadogs to help spread the word of this wonderful resource available free to all owners and pets suffering from this awful disease. I would really recommend joining Hannah’s fabulous group if you haven’t already.

For now we are just giving ourselves the luxury of seeing our girl happy and healthy and pretty much back to being the heffalump of old. Long may it continue.

Our thanks go out to the team at Liverpool University small animal hospital who have been fantastic with their expertise and ongoing advice.

Our own Vets, Luc Van Dijck who as usual have been brilliant and always go the extra mile.

Hannah at the Canine Arthritis Management group who gave me loads of really fantastic advice about Cookie. It’s a must join group for sure.

Sam and Daniel at Cheshire Canine Hydrotherapy for their wonderful friendly welcome and their efforts with a hooge splashy drooly ball hogging hairy hippo.

Fiona at YuMOVE who has been very supportive and helping with a plan for Cookie going forwards.

Cookie herself for taking everything in her stride and has really helped us to help her.

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