Hi,
Sorry for a late reply - I don't have internet at home.
Thank-you for all of your replies, I am amazed to hear there are quite a few cockers that have experienced it. Which is nice to know, as I've yet heard any cockers that have experienced it.
I agree - it is such a scary experience especially with little information available. Even Vets arent always sure, we were lucky to be transferred to a specialist which was located in Nottingham, but was a weird experience. So overwhelming.
I am grateful and relieved he doesnt need a second surgery yet but I am dreading if he does need one asa obviously he's getting older and I do worry a lot about it.
So like you guys, we are constantly searching about this condition and if there's anything we can do about it. That's the worst thing, not being able to do anything.
Maria & Dennis - I am sorry to hear about your dog, mine was diagnosed as grade 3. He was on crate rest for about a week, and then strict rest for the following 2 with gentle exercise - only went outside for wees and poos. Then we just took baby steps afterwards, even though he got rather frustrated and started jumping up - back to his normal self. Was hard to keep him pre-occupied!
We are lucky he returned back to his normal self, although just like you said, some days he's quite wobbly and stiff - finds it hard to jump. Especially from his walks, sometimes he over does it, by trying to catch a rabbit or playing excessively. Now he's much better, he kind of takes it easy when he's out, he doesnt go far. Also I monitor him a lot more now, so depending how he is, I tend to limit his - off lead exercise to make sure he doesnt do too much.
He still has hour and half - 2 hour daly exercise, but as long it's moderate - he's allright.
When he has bad days - when he refused to go out for walks and appears really hard and stiff, just like he was earlier this month and after a trip to the vets, he was on rimadyl for a week, followed by mectam with strict rest.( no jumping, no sleeping on coach, bed, no stairs, no playing , not letting him play with our lab - horrible and hard but worth it for his sake) First week he was only allowed to go outside for wee and poos - he refuse to do it in the garden!? But he was reluctant to go outside as he couldnt go over the step so we had to pick him up etc.
But towards the end of the week, he was a lot better and not as stiff but still weak.
Then after that follwed by strict rest, he returned to hhis normal self, and we just gradually increased his exercise levels. So we started just walking him to the bottom of our road and nback then extra 10 metres and so on.
At that time, it was absouletely freezing - and he hates the cold. So that's why I was so sure the weather affects him.
Anyway I hope your dog gets better, it really is down to being patience, and making sure they're comfortable for time being.
Now I am trying out Yumove - they've sent me a sample - the only reason I liked about this product is its all 100% natural, aunlike some other supplemetnts. I you like I can post on here the e-mail they sent me?
Sorry this is long!
Lessie