Hydrotherapy and Hip Dysplasia
We started the Science Diet j/d food, taking Consequin DS and Duramax, and going to hydrotherapy once a week. The hydrotherapy is basically an underwater treadmill. The idea is to get the muscles built up enough that it takes some pressure off of the joints, in hopes of no surgery or a FHO if necessary. My husband and I look at Oliver today, and see a completely different dog than he was just 2 months ago. We have cut the Duramax back from 100 mg/day to 25 mg/day, Oliver is jumping on the bed, going on longer walks, and has more endurance when he plays. I realize that hydrotherapy is just a piece of the puzzle, but I would highly encourage anyone to try it who sees it as an option to help with hip dysplasia. 
"Mom, are we done yet?"  |
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That is great that Oliver is doing so much better! 
I work with human orthopedics, and the group of Dr's I work with always have people try PT before they ever talk surgery. It is truly amazing how diet and therapy can help. Our new dog rehab center in the facility I have my classes at has a hydrotherapy treadmill, with space set aside for a 2nd one if needed. The building is still in the finishing stages of construction, but the therapy area is already in use. Besides the tank, there is also a rehab pool. The low impact exercise and conditioning does wonders! That is wonderful that Oliver has shown such improvement. It is great that you have been able to significantly reduce his pain med dosage. Is the rehab area near you? |
| Keep up the good work and we know that Oliver will benifit in the long run |
| I am so glad that Oliver is doing better. There is nothing worse than watching your baby in pain. I agree that Hydrotherapy is wonderful! Winston went three times a week after his TPLO and the healing was incredible. Hydrotheraphy ROCKS!!!! |
| I'm so happy you opted to try conservative management first. Happy to hear he is doing so much better!
Mad did hydrotherapy twice a week the first six months of last year as part of our efforts to teach her to walk again after she suffered her spinal embolism. Every time there was some improvement in neurological function, we always saw it in the water first. The PT person was always in there with her, moving the more severely affected leg as needed in the beginning. I love the fact that the sides are glass and you can watch the movement. In addition to it being incredibly beneficial, I learned a lot just from observing. It's a 100 mile drive either way so it would take half a day, but my boss was incredibly supportive and let me basically set my own hours. I wish we had something closer. I'm about ready to start checking the MN real estate ads so I can move up Dawn's way. Incredibly envious!!! ' And I just love the pictures! I never thought to take any of Mad. Kristine |
| It is at a dog park/daycare that a local vet owns. They also have a groomer, massage therapist, and jacuzzi. It is an amazing facility, and priced pretty fairly I think. It is located about 40 miles from our house, and the vet does the therapy after hours, so we go on Tuesdays at 7. It is very convenient for us!
I am SO glad we chose this route. The thought of a major surgery is very scary, and if we can manage his pain through diet and exercise why not? We might end up needing surgery, but we are building the muscles in preparation of a FHO (IF needed). A much simplier procedure, that has been proven effective, even on large breed dogs. On top of it all, I get to pick the vet's brain each week.  |
I'm so glad that hydrotherapy is working out for Oliver!  Val's Chum went through this as well last year and it did wonders for her.
We have a pool in the backyard and Drez just LOVES to swim. I truly believe that all the years of swimming helped get her to her senior years before her hip dysplasia finally reared its ugly head. We did not have her on any supplements or anything else because we just did not know there was a problem - that's how well I think her swimming helped her! We did end up having an FHO performed on her right hip 3 years ago, when she was 11 years old. Today at 14.5, she's getting slower and stiffer, but I think that for having the surgery that late in her life, she's doing pretty darned well! Keep up the good work, Oliver! |
| That's excellent news
I'm so glad the physical therapy is helping. |
| Yay Oliver! That's really great news. Chris is right that the underwater treadmill and swimming has done wonders for Chumley. Her perky activeness is almost annoying because I enjoyed the lazy pleasure of having an old tired dog. With all that non-weight bearing exercise, Chum has really built up her strength and now she is raring to go. I am so glad it is working for sweet Oliver so he can enjoy a long active life. |
Mad Dog wrote: It's a 100 mile drive either way so it would take half a day, but my boss was incredibly supportive and let me basically set my own hours. I wish we had something closer. I'm about ready to start checking the MN real estate ads so I can move up Dawn's way. Incredibly envious!!! Kristine Cool, come on over! LeAnne's suggestion was lure you over by a visit to the Paw and transporting Martha over when she finishes! Shameless, I know..... |
got sheep wrote: Cool, come on over!
LeAnne's suggestion was lure you over by a visit to the Paw and transporting Martha over when she finishes! Shameless, I know..... Well, I certainly can't say it's the lovely weather that's keeping me here 
I think Martie has to actually be ENTERED to be able to be finished and so far I'm not seeing much of that. How long after LeAnne gives birth till she can be back in the ring? She may just have to do the job herself!
I'll see the Boss Lady at the club meeting tomorrow and see what's going on. But as for driving her up...not unless I'm able to place two foster children and buy a van at this rate for the rest of them
KB |
| I keep wishing for great things for Oliver. He is such a sweet puppy. Hope the therapy continues to show improvements. |
Great news about Oliver! Something you may want to consider is adding milk thistle caps, dermaxx is tough on the liver and it will help with liver support. Keep up the good work  |
| Great news! I hope Oliver continues to improve. |
Quote: Something you may want to consider is adding milk thistle caps, dermaxx is tough on the liver and it will help with liver support.
I ask the vet last week about the effects of the dermaxx on Oliver's liver, and he said that in low doses, it shouldn't be a problem. I have read so many stories and studies about the adverse effects that it does cause concern for me, especially since Oliver is so young. Have you used the milk thistle caps? Any advice on where I can find them? Are they a natural supplement that I won't have to worry about adverse effects? |
| I used them 2x daily for two years for one of my boys who had cancer. He was on the highest dose of dermaxx possible and his liver values stayed pretty good. I can't remember the brand name but I used to buy them at the drugstore. |
| The Spring Valley supplements carried at WalMart are good. I know they carry the Milk Thistle in that brand - I saw it this weekend. I was getting more fish oil caps for my dogs. |
| That's the greatest news! Oliver is one handsome sheepie! He is very fortunate to have such a caring and pro-active family! I hope Oliver continues to prosper! |
| Just a quick update on Oliver...
No more hydrotherapy for this boy! The Vet said we are at a point where we are wasting our money by going every week-Oliver refuses to get sore after a hard walk (we are at the point we have to take him on a walk before hydrotherapy to get him to settle down enough to go into the chamber). At the beginning of sessions, we measured his thigh muscles, and saw quite a difference in his left and right leg. We measured again last week, and his legs are now the same size! Oliver will now only go once a month so we can monitor his progress. We are also off of the pain medication (although I have a huge bottle of milk thistle now  ) and will use them only if needed.
Knock on wood, but I am thrilled by how far we've come in the past few 7 months! |
Yeah Oliver! Keep up the good work! 
Keep up the good work! |
Great news!  |
| That is great news!!
I am so happy that Oliver made such significant progress. |
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| Oliver and Chumley.........our own Fernando Lamas and Esther Williams. |
SheepieBoss wrote: Oliver and Chumley.........our own Fernando Lamas and Esther Williams.
LOL! I am so happy for Oliver. It is amazing what progress these doggies can make despite the supposed limitations of their bodies . . . |
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