injured right hind leg

[ChelleD]

My 10 pound yorkie and my 65 pound olde english bulldogge were playing rather roughly. My yorkie ended up getting hurt and had to have surgery to repair the muscles around his abdomen and a puncture in his vein at his right hind leg. He has recovered quite well, with the exception of not wanting to use the right hind leg. On occasion we have caught him somewhat moving it and he can position it when he is in the sitting position. When we hold him up to look at it you can see where the muscles are depleting. Is there anything we can do to help him regain use of the leg? And what can be the reason for this? Could it be muscle atrophy?

[ChelleD]

The surgery was about three weeks ago. Our vet said she didn't see any more damage than what was done to the abdominal muscles and the punctured vein. He had quite a bit of blood loss and had to have a transfusion. She said she wasn't sure about the leg. When she did the x-ray there weren't any fractures. She said to just give it time to see what happens. He doesn't act like the leg bothers him at all. And he can feel when we touch it so I am confident it isn't paralysis. He hasn't really used it since the injury.

[ginger899]

To a certain exent it probably is, and could do with physiotherapy...but then are you certain there wasn't some other damage? What did the vet say at the time? Also, how long ago was the surgery? If quite recent, then it could take some time to get back to normal.
On the other hand there may be something else going on as well. I think you really ought to dicuss this with your vet.
If it's simple, and general muscle atrophy from not being used -and that's that...then the vet should be able to recommend some physio that you could help your Yorkie with, to gradually strengthen the leg muscles. I would ask.