Puppy with hyperextended tarsus

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I think there has been info on this in the database, but since it's not

posted, I was hoping for input from the group.

I saw an 8 month old Cavilier King Spaniel that was casted for

1 month, then splinted 3 weeks by a surgeon for a mild medial tibial

tarsal instability after jumping off some furniture. The surgeon was

pleased with the pup's progress and was careful to apply all

casts/splints with a nice flexion in the hock. When the last splint

was removed, for some reason, the hock was in hyperextension. This pup

will flex the hock at times, but most times, holds it in

hyperextension. I experimented with different exercises to try to

encourage proper flexion of the hock....came up with having the pup

climb a ramp, some rockerboard work, and will have the owner do some

hill walking with the guy. My question is this...should I consider

another spint for this guy? I don't really feel like the hock is

unstable, just that the flexors are weak and lazy. I think a splint

will only make things worse. What are people's experiences with this?

Any other ideas for exercises?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Jan Masica, DVM, CCRT

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