|
"Ziggy"
was having difficulty getting around- especially on his front
end. On a monthly basis his owner drove 4 hours each way
from Nashville, TN on a for a year to get rehabilitation for
Ziggy. In addition to his rehab, Ziggy's rehab
practitioners advised his owner on diet modifications and a home
exercise program. Over two years later, 12-year-old Ziggy is still
king of his domain.
|
The Bad News
Followed by the Good News
The bad
news...
As pets reach
their senior years they are susceptible to degenerative
conditions that can effect the joints, muscles and nervous
system.
These conditions
not only leave your pet feeling weak and lethargic, but can be
very painful as well. For the most part pets are very
stoic and don't let on to their owners that they are painful
until that pain is quite advanced. Therefore it is up to
the owner to be to be on the lookout for subtle
signs of degenerative conditions such as exercise intolerance,
hesitancy to jump up on furniture, climb or descend stairs, gait
abnormalities (especially at a trot and gallop), endless
circling before laying down, difficulty rising from a sit or
down, and behavioral changes.
|
|
13-year-old "Whidbey" initially came to Caring Canine for
arthritic pain in all four limbs causing him to become
increasingly lame on his front. Whidbey's condition was
managed with weekly rehabilitation sessions which included
Underwater Treadmill work, massage, range of motion, stretching
exercises; pain control, a home exercise program, and
acupuncture by his Veterinarian. To increase his comfort
while walking, a sling and
custom cart were employed- both of which Caring Canine was able to assist in
fitting and ordering. Whidbey was eventually lost due to
complications from osteosarcoma (bone caner).
|
The good news...
While most degenerative conditions are not curable, the good
news is that they can be managed. A proper management program
is multi-faceted, with the foremost of importance being pain
control. Other objectives include maintaining cardiovascular
fitness, optimizing muscle strength and joint mobility,
maintaining proprioception (awareness of the body’s position in
space), weight control and environmental management.
Caring Canine
Practitioners can assist owners with a management plan based on
the needs of the individual pet. By implementing a plan
that takes into account all of the management objectives it is
common to see the years 'roll back' on geriatric pets.
Within just a few weeks owners most often report that their dog
has increased energy, improved appetite, re-engages in old behaviors (such as
getting on furniture, climbing stairs and playing with toys),
sleeps sounder through the night, exhibits fewer signs of pain
and has an improved, happier attitude. |
