posted 05-17-2003 09:03 PM
Vets often tell dog owners that their pets must get strict rest. This often happens because the dog has sustained a spinal injury, broken a leg or has some other injury that requires little moving around so the bones will heal properly.
But keeping your dog still is easier said than done. Your dog will want to get up and function as usual much earlier than he should. It’s your job to keep him still until the vet says your dog can move around again. It’s very important that you follow these instructions, because walking and functioning as normal can mean bones healing not as they should and even greater damage than was originally created. The doctor’s orders are often much more difficult for you to keep than for your dog to keep. After all, your dog can’t understand what your vet instructs.
There are some ways, however, that you can keep your dog still all day long while his bones or insides heal. You might want to try some simple exercises. Rub his muscles for awhile. This will keep the blood flowing in his veins, so he won’t feel as sluggish when he can walk again. (It feels good to your dog, too.) Also give him some of his favorite chew toys. Go ahead and spoil him. Give him all sorts of stuff, anything that will keep him occupied and still for a few days. You also need to talk to your dog as much as you can. Talking to your dog gives him something to listen to. (He surely likes hearing your voice, anyway.)
Some other good ideas are to turn on the television for your dog, so he won’t miss the outside noise as much. And go ahead and get a hollow bone and stuff it with something fun inside like peanut butter. That will keep him busy for hours!