Top Dog is a purpose built Canine Hydrotherapy Centre that is equipped to the highest standard with a pool and underwater treadmill.
08/02/2025
⭐️ Patient Spotlight: Delta ⭐️
Delta is a 3-year-old German Shepherd who came to us at the beginning of November 2024 after having Bilateral Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture and having surgeries on both. He had both surgeries 6 months apart with his right hind being done first.
The cranial cruciate ligament is the same as the anterior cruciate ligament in humans and is a band of fibrous tissues that attach the tibia and femur together stopping weight shifting forward. It also helps reduce the knee (stifle) from rotating or over extending. This type of injury usually occurs from slow degeneration and not caused from physical trauma as much.
Delta has a 2cm imbalance in the hind limbs with the left hind being smaller. Delta also had a 1cm imbalance in his forelimbs with the right forelimb being smaller.
Delta has completed his 12 sessions in the underwater treadmill to target his specific muscles as well as correct his gait and improve his joint range of movement post-surgery. Over time we have seen an increase in Delta’s strength dramatically as he is now able to pull through the water comfortably and equally. He has gained 3.5cm on his left hind and gained 1.5cm on his right hind making him now balanced in his hind limbs. He also has gained 2cm on his right forelimb and gained 1cm on his left forelimb making him balanced on these limbs too. Delta has also lost some weight since coming to us as he unfortunately gained some weight due to the restricted exercise he had to have after his surgeries.
We have suggested that Delta comes for hydrotherapy fortnightly to slow the progression of osteoarthritis from forming and to maintain muscle strength and conditioning with hopes to space out his sessions even further in the future.
Well done Delta!
