TopDog Health Blog

Still Alive

2007-03-27T19:54:00.000-07:00

Sorry to all my non-readers out there but I have been MIA for a while. Though there is no excuse for my tardiness I kind of have alot going on...and since my reading crowd is well, me, I thought that I could wait. The list: Baby coming April 19th, just bought a house, moving TopDog to new location, Lifes a Dog is very very busy and hmmmmm. I think thats enough. So I am once again going to sign off for a while but trust me I will be back, because there is a ton to talk about.

OK it takes some getting used to....

2007-02-28T19:35:00.000-08:00

I'm back. It is not easy working from 8am to 9pm and then mustering up the energy to sit down and discuss the days events for a second time. Everyone needs that time to decompress which for me usually is at 12am while I watch my daily video podcasts in bed. (We will discuss that later for sure...It is a passion for me) So why! Why today would I come back to my personal diary to speech to my non-existent listeners. Because today TopDog took another giant step forward in its ever evolving future. Today I had the opportunity to consult with the surgical, critical care, pain management and nutrition clinicians at "THE" Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. This is HUGE for me considering only 8 years ago I was a volunteer at Angell prior to veterinary school and now I am consulting with them to construct the most comprehensive rehabilitation, pain management, nutrition center to date. The marriage of these modalities is really going to be monumental and extraordinary for the patients that seek Angell's world renowned services. Next time....we all have to at some point confront the reality of euthanasia....my insight in how veterinary medicine can do it better.

New Breathe

2007-01-29T20:22:00.000-08:00

Walking through the door today at TopDog I sensed a new air, or maybe it was that I was rested and refreshed. It was great to come back. Great to see Jill, who works so incredibly hard, always remains positive, and see the potential with-in our little company. So anyway here's the two new cases:
1) "Molly" a very bubble and kissie Pom who had a history of medial luxating patella (her knee cap pops out), and one day decided that her was going to catch the fat little squirrel in the back yard and in the midst of her explosive leap....tore her cranial cruciate ligament (ie. acl). Three weeks post-op and mom and dad are concerned that she is not really using it with the occasional toe-touch.
DR.J NOTE: If you were to have major orthopedic surgery you would also take time to recover. Patience People... Patience
Dr. J NOTE: Get Rid of the retractable leashes for the recovery time...COME ON... taking your dog out on a leash for a slow controlled leash walk does not mean... hook on the good ole lazy retractable and let it ride.
Ps. Molly is going to do incredible well and she will be off to the Florida beaches to strut her stuff no problem by the end of Feb.

2) "Grizzly" a 5yr old. Great Swiss Mountain Dog...what a guy. It is amazing how deep and complicated some stories are..... he had partially torn his ACL in the summer and did not fully tear till Oct. and then TPLO in Nov. and then had serious infection complications for several months after. This is not you average post-op recovery. "Grizzley" my boy...you need TopDog and I am going to work work work you. We have a whole lot of muscle to build.

12pm got to sleep

Back to Reality

2007-01-28T12:55:00.000-08:00

Vacation is over and it is back to reality. The next two weeks are going to be incredibly exciting for myself and TopDog and though I can't give all the details I will briefly elaborate. Since the beginning I have always felt that TopDog was bigger than myself and that it was going to take on a life of its own as the leader in rehabilitation services for the veterinary community. Though or first location in Hamden is my baby, I always new that the TopDog "concept" was going to grow into other areas and potentially other hospitals. I am pleased to say that now after 2 very tiring years things are beginning to take flight. Also on the horizon is the e-book version of our first HOME THERAPY PROGRAM BOOKLET for dogs that have undergone TPLO surgery or the extracapsular repair for cranial cruciate ligament rupture (aka. ACL surgery). This is the first of five booklets to be finished for various post-op orthopedic recovery books. Anyway, hopefully we have some exciting cases and updates this week. I will keep you posted. Here is the Home Therapy Program Booklet Logo!!!! I like it :)

The Beginning

2007-01-25T18:38:00.000-08:00

This is going to be a quick message for several reasons. First I am on vacation and second this is my first blog and it is going to take me a while to learn the funcationality of this platform. The future is bright for TopDog and what we have to offer animal community. We are going to discuss anything and everything relating to Canine Rehabilitation: equiptment, exercises, trends, current cases, and the furture of TopDog. I am really excited for this to begin.