Keep your four legged friend fit for life...
This is the very beautiful Maggie, an eleven year old Labrador. Her owners reported to me a progressive loss of rear end mobility together with increasing difficulty getting up from the floor in recent months which had been diagnosed by her Vet as widespread degenerative joint disease for which she was medicated daily.
After gaining Veterinary consent, at my first visit, I first assessed Maggie’s gait and found her to be weight bearing rather heavily on her left forelimb and skipping uncomfortably on both of her hind limbs with very limited extension in both hips during movement. She was unable to maintain a steady trot on a lead.
At her first treatment, I treated Maggie conservatively with soft tissue and articulation techniques to her shoulders, spine and hips. Following her first treatment, Maggie was obviously getting up with less discomfort and was hopping less as she walked.
Several recommmendations were made to homelife including a change in bed, controlled exercise and support of the Vet's recommendation to lose two kilograms to reduce load upon the affected limbs.
At my second visit two weeks later, the owners had taken all of my advice on board and there had been an enormous improvement in Maggie’s gait, movement and overall comfort. Her weightbearing was more evenly distributed and her hopping gait had disappeared completely. Her most significant improvement was in rear drive and extension and she was able to trot comfortably and consistently.
Maggie also lost in the region of 800g in weight which will also impact positively.
This is a very positive story of how an Osteopath and you as owners can work together to create a significant improvement in the quality of life of your pet. After three osteopathic treatments and some modifications to her home life, Maggie improved beyond our expectations. She’s so much more comfortable now walking with ease, getting up with no problems and has been playing again so clearly she’s feeling happier in herself too. She has loved her treatments, and been the perfect patient throughout, at my last visit, she smothered me with lots of sloppy Labrador kisses when we had finished.
Canine Osteopathy works on exactly the same principles as human treatments, where our aim is always to optimise function throughout by addressing as many factors as we can, structurally, functionally and environmentally.
If you would like any more information on how Osteopathy can help your dog, please contact Hannah directly to discuss on 01438 364652 or via email reception@osteopathyfirst.co.uk
Remember, depending on your level of cover, some pet insurance will cover the cost of treatment with a Registered Osteopath.
Maggie's owner has given me permission to post this information and her photo.
