Two weeks crate rest for 15 week old puppy - help!

[Twoweeksandcounting]

We have had a bit of a scare with our 15 week old cockapoo this week. Starting last Friday, he was unsteady on his feet, high temp, lethargic, seemed to be in pain around his neck and leg joints. Vet thought possibly meningitis or some neurological condition, and he got transferred to a specialist vet clinic. He was admitted and had a whole host of tests. In the first day or so, he completely stopped walking, and he was mystifying the many specialists who were looking after him. Eventually they diagnosed metaphyseal osteopathy, a bone disorder which causes the bones not to harden properly. It’s usually seen in giant or large breed dogs, which is why he was such a mystery. Anyway, he stayed in until yesterday, on some pretty heavy pain medications, but was weaned off those before coming home. He is now mobile again, but needs at least two weeks of crate rest, to minimise the risk of fractures of bent bones.

HELP!

We’re not even 24 hours in and I’m struggling! He is such an active little puppy, even when not at his best, and it is such hard work! He has always used a crate for sleeping, so that part is at least sorted. The vet said he could come out for cuddles and calm, relaxed laying down with us, plus short trips into the garden for a wee/poo. If I am being perfectly honest, I have met him out of the crate quite a bit today, but have been trying to ensure he isn’t wandering around (eg. Spent 15 minutes giving him a good brush, gentle training session to touch nose to my hand, laying next to me chewing his lamb braid, eating his lunch out of a muffin tin covered up with tennis balls). He has had one good sleep, and I think has just settled down for another sleep. I have been playing radio 4 when he is in the crate and barking, and that seems to have helped settle him a little bit. I will offer a frozen kong at points, we have a licky mat, and we have just ordered a sniffle mat and a food finding toy off Amazon.

What else can we do to a) pass the time, b) keep him occupied and c) tire him out?! I feel so bad for him, poor boy!

Bumping this in the hope someone sees it!

Oh your poor things. Although it sounds like you are doing everything right for your dog, the games and toys you have are great. Grooming is fab too.

When any of mine are crate rested I do get them out of the crate to sit with us if we are in once place for a while. So they get cuddles on the sofa (which they are lifted on and off).

Ours liked the car so we would pop them in the crate and go out for a scenic ride. ne of them liked to look at the view so we would drive to a scenic spot and sit and watch the world (this may wind him up though so play this by ear)

It is amazing how they do seem to get used to the restrictions and get less energetic. It does become their new norm.

Do the vets know why he has the condition?

one day gone only 13 to go!

This too will pass and lots of

Oh we did also buy a dog buggy and took the dogs out in that. Would yorur pup be able to do that or would that be to bumpy for his bones?

Vet nurse here.

No carbs in his diet at all will take the edge right off him.

Snuffle mats and licki mats would be good for him. Low energy but getting him to engage his brain a little will help to wear him out. I'd have him out on a harness as much as is allowed and use the time to teach him things.
One of the best exercises my trainer has given me is a sort of doggy sensory course. So putting a couple of snuffle mats on the floor with treats in it. A licky mat with some soft cheese or pate. Hiding some treats in a box of toys. Puzzle games. Roll up a towel with treats in. Put them all out on the floor at the same time and then let him explore it calmly.
He will explore and find his food. But it will wear his brain out and should sleep well for a bit after.

All of the advice above is good - we had to crate rest our WCS puppy following a broken leg and found it really challenging. Snuffle mat and hiding treats in a muffin tin under tennis balls were two really good tips I got off here. I did panic and buy a doggy pushchair - this was expensive and I don't think its worth it for 2 weeks. Ours became a very costly beer trug when camping!

It felt so hard, so you have my sympathy, but pups are very adaptable and she did settle into her restricted routine fairly smoothly despite my worries. Hope all goes well with recovery.