On Friday I took Dakota to the vet for her comprehensive exam that she gets every 6 months. Did the normal things ... blood work, shots, ears, nails, etc...
I know that she's been having the hip dysplasia for some time and things were going good with the glucosamine that we've been giving her for years. Lately the dysplasia and the arthritis have started to bother her even more. Her stance is more narrow in the back and the steps she takes are smaller. Dogs do that to protect themselves and their hips. So along with the Glucosamine ,,, I've started her on the Rimadyl again for the pain. I will do that for at least a month and then have her blood checked again to make sure it's not doing anything to her liver.
The vet suggested some options:
1) exercising her once a day on small incline hill so she's working the muscles back there ,, as they have begun to atrophy a little.
2) acupuncture -- she said she has seen improvement in dogs using this method.
3) aqua therapy -- this is less stress on the joints and they are using their muscles. She's also seen improvement in dogs doing this. The range of movement improves.
4) shots for the arthritis -- which is more natural then the Rimadyl. The initial start is 2 shots per week for a month and then one shot a month for maintenance
Right now ,, I'm going with options 1 and 3.
Soooo ..... Today I took Dakota to a place in Oceanside for the aqua therapy. The place is called The Total Dog. Natalie showed me the pool and how things are done. I asked her if she would like to see Dakota and she said yes. Dakota is very curious and was sniffing everything around her. Natalie took her to the top of the ramp where the pool entrance is at and put a vest on her ..... waited a few minutes .... then got in the pool ... then helped Dakota in. Natalie sat there for a few minutes with Dakota on her lap. Dakota was a little nervous about this ... but then let out a nice heavy sigh. Natalie (while supporting Dakota) moved to another step that is lower and sat there with her for another few minutes ... again .... a little nervous but settled right in. Then after that Natalie stayed in a squatting position and moved to the middle of the pool (actually -- a really huge hot tub) while Dakota's feet were resting on her thighs. She settled into that really quickly. Then .... Dakota decided on her own to push off Natalie and swim a little ... of course with the help of Natalie helping support her some and guiding her to help her find the step so she could rest. This was so cool to watch!! Natalie said she wished she had a video camera to have been able to film this. She said Dakota was classic textbook on how perfect things worked out .... from introducing her to the area ... getting her in ... having her get acclimated to the water ... swimming around (with assistance) and finding the step to rest.
Here is the link to the place: The Total Dog
What a wonderful experience for us all ,,,,, and I can't wait to take her back!!!! So proud of my doggie!!!
Here is a picture of her sleeping a few months ago!! She's the cutest thing ever!!
Peace out ... xoxo .. Toni
2 comments:
So sad! I'm sure she is thankful she has such a good Mommy though. Our dog is about 12 & starting to have some pain. We got her this liquid stuff to put in her food & saw a huge change overnight.
http://www.effectivenaturalpets.com/cluc-con.html
I hope she's feeling better soon :(
glad to hear that she enjoyed the swim... and hopefully everything will be better soon. she's so adorable in the pic. miss my doggies now...
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