Berna (06-16-2019)
Nothing wrong with his swimming ability, that's for sure.
Berna (06-16-2019)
Hoping Cookie feels better! So tough seeing them age. You’re doing such great things with him though. Such a lucky boy!
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Berna (06-16-2019)
Swimming is excellent exercise for an aging dog - I really think that is a large part of why mine have all aged so well so far. My vet has in the past given me NSAIDS to use on an "as needed" basis - so only if they have had an unusually active day and are a little sore after, rather than daily. Might be worth looking into that for Cookie just to have on hand.
Annette
Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009
And remembering:
Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015
And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014
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Berna (06-16-2019)
Cookie Black Snowflake
July 12th, 2006. - May 25th, 2023.
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Annette47 (06-16-2019)
So sorry Cookie is feeling bad. Sounds like a little overdoing it one time and rest helped.
Katie has been diagnosed with calcifications in a lower right leg tendon, nothing that can be surgically fixed. She is now going to a rehab facility and doing very well. One thing she really likes is the underwater treadmill. It's a slow and steady walk in belly deep water (in this case warmed water). She's up to 15 minutes in two sections with a rest mid way. It really loosens her up. Also, laser therapy has been a huge help. She's also had chiropractic and acupuncture which do not seem to help as much so rehab vet is not doing those now. She has home exercises too. After 6 weeks she is more mobile/flexible with ranges of motion now within normal limits.
Her home exercises consist of a "weave" exercise, strengthening back and hip muscles. The cones are 32 inches apart, done at a walk pace. Up and back is one repetition; she does 5 repetitions twice a day.
The boards are 32 inches long, 16 inches apart. Hers are set on end but they can be done flat depending on the dog. There are stakes set front and back of each board to hold them up. This helps with placement of feet and reaching out. Done at a little faster pace but definitely not a run. Also helps with strengthening and building muscle. Same amount of repetitions, twice a day.
Another exercise. Front feet up on a stair. While offering a treat above the head, moving back and forth slowly to move the head which sifts weight in the hips, it builds flexibility in the spine and if you watch closely, you can see the hip/lower back muscles flexing and contracting as weight shifts, also increasing strength. Five repetitions.
One more, if Cookie will do it, is to have him stand and "shake". The object is for him to give you his front paw but not so much as he is using you for support. Hold position for a count of 5 and down. Then do the other side.
Of course, all of these are as tolerated. I have had to use a lifting help aid with some of my dogs but if not done or fitted properly it's very hard on their bellies. Hope this helps some.
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Kissing Bandit
Hi Fran, glad to hear Katie is doing well! Nice setting you've got there! I unfortunately don't have a yard, but we improvised with moving between trees and making 8s, also no hydrotherapy facilities for dogs but the fountain is great for some walking in the water (warm weather only though). We've been doing passive range of motion exercises daily for years now, and we also used to do physical therapy (electrotherapy mainly) after the accident. PT has helped enormously and I swear by it.
Now, if only I could stop the time...
Cookie Black Snowflake
July 12th, 2006. - May 25th, 2023.
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I so agree; I wish time would stop her aging process. I do have a pain med for her if needed. She went from full dose to less than a quarter dose in a week and has not needed any since. The colder damp days seem to bother her more same as me with my arthritis.
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Berna (06-19-2019)
Those exercises Poptop describes are very much like the ones the PT had Lark do when she had her shoulder tendonitis, especially the one with her front feet up on a step and the treat being moved back and forth to make her turn and stretch her neck. I should probably do those once in a while to help keep her stretched out.
Berna (06-19-2019)
I usually do those (although not always up on a step) to help Chloe stretch before she competes in Obedience and has to jump, etc. She mostly had (hasn't bothered her in almost a year - knock wood) stiffness/soreness in her lower back caused by imbalances due to an old tendon injury. I think it's been better because she's been able to swim regularly since the last flare-up since we didn't have an especially cold winter where the lake remained frozen for long periods of time. The last flare up was last August after the lake was closed for a month due to an algaeal bloom.
Annette
Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009
And remembering:
Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015
And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014
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Berna (06-19-2019)
Katie went back to PT again this morning and I discussed Cookie with them. They fully agreed that the "weave" can be done with soda cans or even chalk marks on the sidewalk. Same way with the boards; 2" side chalk mark. It gives them a visual. The others require no equipment at all.
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Kissing Bandit
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