As far as Chihuahua’s go, I was a pretty active one. I went hiking almost every other weekend in the spring, summer and fall and if we don’t get to hike we usually get one nice long walk or outing a week. I also run around the yard, chase squirrels, and walk everywhere the rest of the week.
When I came to my humans I was quite underweight and quite bony. When the humans got me, the original owner gave them a grocery bag with loose kibble in it of some unknown brand with nuggets that seemed to be bigger than my own head! I had some malnourishment issues which worked themselves out with a better diet, love, and care from the humans.
Here’s the thing. I’m not spoiled. Far from it. In fact, I rarely get treats and when I do they usually try to get me with peas, or corn, or (yuck) carrots. Carrots are the worst in my opinion. They taste like wet plastic. No thanks. Every once in a while I get some yogurt, sometimes even frozen yogurt. The humans also ratio my food carefully. They make sure I only get the exact required amount that is given on the box. So what’s a dog to do in order to loose weight.
My human says the key to weight loss for humans is cardio and muscle building. Well, I’m not only not a human, but I’m not really even allowed to run! I torn both of my CCLs (like an ACL in humans) and am pretty much unable to do any real cardio work like I used to. In fact, the torn CCL is the main reason it is imperative that I loose weight.
Weight loss for me, a canine, is going to be difficult but an important step to my recovery from CCL surgery. This is the start of my attempt at a weight loss journey. Right now we are going to put together a solid weight loss plan and figure out how we are going to deal with this. We will update you all soon!
My chi had surgery on both of her back legs at the same time. She recovered great! She always wanted to be near us wherever we went, so i carried her around the house in a laundry basket! It really helped to appease her when she was on rest. GOOD LUCK! You’ll be fine 😉
Wow. our vet recommended not to do them both at the same time.
Interesting. Now the caveat would be that our dog was 1yr 6 mo at the time. The vet said that small dogs will often walk on the good leg while the operated leg heals and then just keep walking in the legs because it’s so easy for small dogs to do. So doing them at the same time forces an equal rehab and recovery. It worked great for us.
*keep walking on THREE legs…
What about swimming as a form of cardio ? It’s low impact and good exercise.
We are definitely going to ask about that because we do have access to a pool and swimming holes on the weekends.
I have one Chi who has had this surgery twice! On each leg. He is naturally thin and he walks just fine. But I know not all Chi’s are made the same. I have one who gains weight very easy and she looks a little stubby. She recently had surgery (last week) but because of a rabies shot turning into a tumor! ! I’m sure your in the best of hands lil baby Bug.
Oh my. So sorry to hear about the tumor! I’ve heard of that happening actually. So scary.
I cant believe your dog had it TWICE ON EACH LEG!! Thats crazy! How long between the first and second one? Why did he need the surgery a second time on the same legs?