Case Studies

Breed: Cocker x Cavalier Spaniel

Reason for referral: Cruciate Repair

Dexter has been referred to us for Hydrotherapy following a cruciate repair operation to both his hind limbs after the cranial cruciate ligament failed. He had hydrotherapy after each operation, however, the owner reports a faster recovery post-operatively after his second as he had hydrotherapy before the operation. Following his operation, Dexter was lame and uncomfortable, so Hydrotherapy was advised to help him build muscle in the hind limbs to stabilize him back onto four limbs and to provide an outlet for his energy.

Hydro Progress: Dexter started swimming for his second cruciate repair back in September 2016. Dexter is our biggest fan, and absolutely can’t wait for his Saturday sessions at Hydrotherapy. Dexter has progressed quickly and is really responding well to his therapy. He began swimming in a buoyancy jacket and quickly progressed to a harness with his natural ability in the water, and the strengthening of his leg. Now he swims against the pool's Jet system too, he’s a little trooper. Dexter is currently up to his 24^th swim with us and has progressed brilliantly. He started swimming with a swim time of 30 seconds, rest, 1 minute, rest, 1.10 minutes (in a buoyancy aid for support). Now Dexter has advanced to his harness and is doing 3 x 3 minute sets with jets…which is hard work, right Dexter?

Success: Dexter has hydrotherapy for more than just his physical health. Once his muscles had built up, Dexter started using hydro for stress therapy. He is a very sensitive boy and picks up on his family’s feelings. So, to help kick the blues, he comes to hydro which turns him into a happy, waggy, puppy once again, especially when swimming with his little pig toy.

His improvement is shown in his measurements too. He gained 4cm on his hind limbs and 2cm on his fore limbs in just 10 sessions.

What a fantastic result, we are so pleased and proud of this handsome boy.

Keep it up Dexter.

Breed: Labrador x Lurcher

Reason for referral: Conservative management of IVDE

Ellie has intervertebral disc extrusion, the onset of which is generally sudden. Poor Ellie was running on the beach when she collapsed with hind limb paralysis. The degree of clinical signs is variable. Ellie's disease is best described as an ‘extrusion’ or ‘herniation’ of the inner contents of the intervertebral disc. The intervertebral disc structure can be compared to a jam donut. The normal disc is compressible and squidgy – they allow the vertebral column to flex, extend and twist. In the diseased disc the jam (nucleus pulposus) becomes hard and is no longer compressible. Consequently, normal movements (especially twisting) put strain on the disc and eventually the “donut” tears and the “jam” explodes or oozes out. Unfortunately, this is usually in an upwards direction and impacts and compresses the spinal cord above. Clinical signs range from pain to paralysis.

Hydro Progress: Ellie started swimming back in March. She is a hydrotherapy superstar, as she came walking in on her hind legs after ONE session. Ellie swims twice a week now! Ellie has progressed quickly and is really responding well to her therapy. She seems to enjoy her sessions and tries her hardest every week.

Success: Ellie has now completed 7 sessions with us and has progressed brilliantly. She started swimming with 3 x 30-second sessions in a life jacket for buoyancy and support. Now Ellie has advanced to doing 3 x 2-minutes sets in the pool…which is hard work, right Ellie? This improvement means that not only can Ellie have the use of her hind limbs again, she has built up muscle mass.

Session 1 - RH 42/ LH 39/ RF 32/ LF 32/ AB 48 / CH 71              

Session 5 - RH 44/ LH 43/ RF 38/ LF 38/ AB 46 / CH 70

What a fantastic result, we are so pleased and proud of this gorgeous girl.

Well done and keep it up.

Breed: Labrador Retriever

Reason for referral: Osteoarthritis & Elbow Dysplasia

Murphy is a 13-year-old Labrador Retriever, referred to us for Osteoarthritis (arthritis of the bone) & Elbow Dysplasia. Murphy’s arthritis was becoming increasingly worse, especially in his hind legs and he was often badly lame after exercise.

Hydro Progress: Murphy is definitely a puppy in an old man’s body and would swim all day if he could. Murphy loves playing with piggy in the pool and swims 3 x 1 minute at a time, swimming in circles and even playing piggy in the middle! Murphy loves swimming so much, he has got himself stuck in a few ponds from time to time and needed rescuing.

Success: Sadly, elbow dysplasia often leads to other issues along the line such as server osteoarthritis. Using hydro alongside regular laser sessions, Murphy has really slowed down his process in arthritis, and is loving his walks again! And it’s even helped him to keep off those extra pounds.

What a fantastic result, we are so pleased and proud of this gorgeous girl.

Well done and keep it up.

Breed: English Springer Spaniel

Reason for referral: Spondylosis, Arthritis, Forelimb Lameness

Paddy is a gorgeous 9-year-old English Springer Spaniel who was originally referred to us for forelimb lameness and arthritis. Paddy loves his long walks and running through the fields but sadly couldn’t continue with this which was getting Paddy down in the dumps.

Hydro Progress: Paddy started hydrotherapy here at Village Vets back in June 2017 and although he tries not to show it, we know Paddy secretly loves his hydro sessions. After attending hydro for a few weeks, Paddy was diagnosed with spondylosis (a painful degenerative condition which causes bone spurs to develop along the spine). Added to his already serve arthritis, Paddy has been left with very swollen elbows and a wobbly back end. Paddy’s regular hydro sessions means that all that weight on his entire body is just released, and for the first time all week, he has no pressure on his body at all. Paddy swims with 2 hydrotherapisits in the pool to help keep his spine as straight as possible, and only swims for 30 seconds at a time.

Success: Paddy is now starting to enjoy longer walks again, which he loves. Paddy is also famous in our hydrotherapy unit as he falls asleep on his rests in between each swim. Paddy is also enjoying his extra relaxing floating sessions, this is where Paddy is held in the water with the hydrotherapists and just, well, floats – all that pressure, GONE! Paddy gets measured every five sessions which allows us to see his progress in the pool. Paddy’s legs have really evened out, allowing Paddy to be completely balanced.

We are so proud of Paddy and everything he has been through since starting his hydrotherapy journey with us.

Breed: Standard Wire Hair Dachshund

Reason for referral: Weight loss

Toby is a 7-year-old Dachshund who was referred to hydrotherapy for help with weight loss. Toby’s owners say he is a naturally lazy dog, and the more weight that he put on, the lazier he became – A nasty cycle to be in with a stubborn puppy!

Hydro Progress: Toby started swimming with us back in May 2017. Although hydro isn’t Toby’s favourite place in the world to be, he’s always happy to greet us on a Monday morning with a waggy tail and plenty of kisses. Toby started his hydrotherapy journey in one of our buoyancy life jackets, but quickly progressed into a harness where he would have to work extra hard! Toby now holds our record for the longest swims at three sets of 4 minutes each – What a superstar! Toby is currently up to his 29^th swim with us and is improving all the time. Toby does have his off days and sometimes needs a little extra encouragement from tennis balls and treats – but it is a Monday morning, I don’t blame you Tobes!

Success: Toby’s owners are always telling me of the compliments Toby gets, talking about his body condition. Toby is now the picture of health and it’s great to see! Such a happy boy now and he loves his long walks too.

His improvement is shown in his measurements too. Toby started hydrotherapy weighing in at 15.8kg, after just his first 5 sessions with us his weight reduced down to just 14.6 kg! Way to go Toby!! And he has lost a whopping 11.5 cm off his tummy too. Toby is now a super fit, muscular, handsome boy!

His results speak for themselves, a huge well done Toby, keep up the good work!