Vet clinics can not operate without our amazing RVTs! Happy RVT Month! 🍁🩺🔬💉💊🌡️🩻🧫🧪🩹😷 #rvtmonth #rvt #registeredveterinarytechnician #vetmed
Harley had a total hip replacement just over 1 year ago. Just over 2 months ago he had the implant removed after it unfortunately became infected (a rare but potential surgical complication). He is moving well now and has great range of motion, but his right hind leg is very atrophied compared to the left (7cm difference in circumference of the thigh). We are working with the team at @ovcphc Fitness and Rehabilitation to build strength in Harley’s leg. This is achieved through a combination of regular exercise, land based rehab exercises, and underwater treadmill therapy. I volunteered at PHC before vet school and spent lots of time there during my time at vet school. Dr. Tiffany Durzi (head of rehab) and Dr. Shannon Gowland were my mentors both before and during vet school, and I am proud to now call them colleagues. Things have come full circle for me bringing Harley back here (we also did a rehab evaluation in early 2020). I am very grateful to the PHC team for their expertise and support in Harley’s journey!
Breeding dogs that suffer from bracycephalic airway syndrome is animal cruelty.
Kibble hunting is an excellent enrichment activity
Hydrotherapy is more than just dogs recovering from surgery! Odysseus (Ody for short) belongs to my good friends @daemonpaws and he’s learning to swim for the first time with me at @k9aquaticcarecentre! As you can see we have a ways to go, but the goal is to go at Ody’s pace and make introductions to the water fun and positive. If he doesn’t want to swim that is OK. I use positive reinforcement techniques just like @fearfreepets to reward Ody approaching the water on his own. Shout out to @royalcityridgebacks for breeding such a handsome dog! 🌊🐕🐾🤿🐶
Cosentino Mobile Pet Services is proud to announce we have a brand new pet scale!!
This digital scale courtesy of #HealthyPetConnect lets me track and trend your pet’s weight in the digital app. I can help your pet lose weight through customized feeding plans (you still purchase food at your regular vet) and AT HOME WEIGHT CHECKS! That’s right I can come to your home to weigh your small dog or cat! Visits available in the Collingwood/Stayner area and Walkerton.
Do you have or know a fat cat that needs to lose some pounds? I’m going to offer 10% off cat weight loss programs for Spring 2022 so I can try out this scale!
Shout out to Dr. Ken at @westtownevet for setting me up!
#petweightloss #petobesity #weightlossplan #veterinaryweightloss #veterinarian #smallanimalveterinarian
Swimming For Fitness!
Today I had the pleasure of working with Bliss! She’s a little different than most of my swim patients - Bliss is young and athletic and does not have any orthopedic issues. She is swimming to keep in shape in the off season - Bliss is a dock diving dog! Dogs swim for all different reasons with me, even just exercise and fitness! 🐕🐾🌊🎾
Charlie is one of my absolute favourite hydrotherapy patients. 🐶 Bassett Hounds aren’t known for being athletic, but Charlie is one speedy girl! We typically do 40-50+ laps in our 30 minute session! 🏊🏻♀️ Charlie usually starts swimming the second I get her in the pool, but she’ll for sure give me “the look” if I don’t have her treats ready 😂
Welcome to my other “office”! I’m here at K9 Aquatic Care Centre once a week on Sundays doing hydrotherapy as part of my mobile business. I have dogs that swim for a variety of reasons - osteoarthritis, weight loss, muscle strength, just good old fashioned exercise! Does your dog (or cat!) want to swim with me? Send me a message! 🌊🐾🐕🐩🦮🐕🦺🐈🐈⬛
What is hydrotherapy? Why would my dog benefit?
This is my own dog Harley. He has moderate hip dysplasia (meaning his hips don’t fit perfectly in the hip socket) which has led to degenerative joint disease (DJD) and osteoarthritis pain over time. Harley has muscle atrophy in his hind legs more so the right hind, which happens when the body naturally avoids using muscles connected to sore joints to avoid pain. This puts more pressure on other joints. The phrase “use it or lose it” is very true - muscles that aren’t used will be lost and cannot fully be gained back.
Harley does hydrotherapy for a few reasons:
1. It helps strengthen his muscles and combat atrophy by getting him to use muscles that are more painful to move on land. Water supports the body and makes movement low impact and less painful.
2. It maintains motion in his sore joints by again allowing for easier motion in water where his body is supported and there is low impact vs moving on land.
3. Physical conditioning and exercise. Water is more dense than air so creates more resistance to work in, which increases cardiovascular output in order to exercise. Swimming for 30 minutes in the pool is a great way for Harley to exercise!
All of this is in complement to Harley’s other medical therapies, which include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication, analgesic (pain control) medication, anti-inflammatory therapies, and balanced diet to maintain ideal body condition (Harley’s mom could use that too frankly).
Harley did not love getting in the pool the first time he swam, but as you can see he loves it now! We use treats for motivation but some dogs prefer toys or playing fetch, and others just like to swim on their own. I adjust to each dog’s needs to make sessions fun and safe. 🌊🐕🤿
Located in Walkerton Ontario
#hydrotherapy #veterinarian #veterinaryhydrotherapy #muscleatrophy #degenerativejointdisease #osteoarthritis #hipdysplasia #rehabilitation #veterinaryre
It’s hard to get the dogs’ exercise in on days like this. What do you do to exercise your dogs on rainy days? Tell me in the comments!
