Osteoarthritis doesn’t just affect humans and dogs cats often suffer too but are often overlooked when it comes to treatment and pain management.
There’s been very few options for cats when it comes to medication but new options have and are becoming available.
Hydrotherapy isn’t just for dogs!
Cats can also benefit from the therapeutic effects of water (not all will tolerate it🦁🐈⬛🐈🐾)
If your unsure if your older cat might be suffering here’s a good check list of things to think about..................
Don’t hesitate to contact your vets for more information on things that might benefit to help keep your cat pain free and happy. 🧡
[email protected]&utm_source=sfmc&utm_term=feline-oa-checklist-print&utm_content=18701&utm_id=b4f3ec03-6564-4ec4-b14f-eb178cfbf5d4&sfmc_id=148087941&sfmc_activityid=ce06afd2-3827-4bfb-a57f-1234a2658aad&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2021_May_Email_3_Understand_the_Gap_Between_Pet_Owners_and_Veterinarians" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://www.zoetisus.com/oa-pain/img/pdf/feline-oa-checklist-print.pdf?j=1191790&sfmc_sub=148087941&l=1823_HTML&u=19713346&mid=100017849&jb=2&s=[email protected]&utm_source=sfmc&utm_term=feline-oa-checklist-print&utm_content=18701&utm_id=b4f3ec03-6564-4ec4-b14f-eb178cfbf5d4&sfmc_id=148087941&sfmc_activityid=ce06afd2-3827-4bfb-a57f-1234a2658aad&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2021_May_Email_3_Understand_the_Gap_Between_Pet_Owners_and_Veterinarians
With the weather as it is it can be hard to keep high energy dogs happy. (older dogs often suffer more in the heat and humidity too)
Hydro treadmill work is a great way to stay cool and burn off some pent up energy!!
If your interested in finding out more please drop me a pm or give me a ring🙂
Think Wolfie is definitely one of my vainest clients 🙈😍
10 out of 10 for multitasking too!!
Walking whilst doing a selfie video 🤩🥰
Sir Gawain was referred for Hydrotherapy towards the end of September 2018 after undergoing emergency surgery to alleviate a spinal cord compression between T11-T12.
Gawain wasn’t given the greatest prognosis for recovery post op due to the nature of his problem.
He was still unable to stand or ambulate unassisted on land using his hind limbs when he first attended hydrotherapy.
As soon as he was given the all clear by the neuro surgeon he started rehab with a physiotherapist and then adding in the UWT to aid with getting him walking, gait re education and muscle building to improve his general and core strength which proved to be the turning point in his recovery.
Gawain has done amazingly and exceeded expectations in his level of recovery this has been down to Rehab and the continued dedication of his owners too!!!!
Issues like this can be really tough for both dogs and owners to cope with so supporting the owner also comes into the rehab process.
Sometimes it’s hard to see the little signs of improvement when your with your pet 24/7 so videoing hydro sessions can really help show subtle (or not so subtle) signs of improvement.
He’s a complete dude, small in size but BIG in attitude which has also helped him to get over his problems😎🐾
(along with loads of peanut butter and a yoga block!!!)
Keeping sessions positive, motivational and fun for the dogs is important as they often are very restricted during recovery from surgery or injury and can become quite shut down.
Here’s a short video showing Sir Gawain’s progress☺️
Bain’s started hydro just before Christmas after suffering a sudden onset of ataxia
(Ataxia is a neurological sign consisting of lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements that can include gait abnormalities)
The cause most probably being degenerative disc disease.
Due to Bains age it was decided to try conservative management rather than going straight for surgery.
He’s been managed with pain relief, physiotherapy and UWT to help improve his gait pattern.
Bains has done amazingly, he’s showing a much more correct gait pattern both in the treadmill and also now on land, he’s put on muscle mass and greatly improved his core strength which will also help to stabilise his spine.
He’s also lost some weight which in turn will also help him stay more mobile.
It’s so rewarding when you see such improvement.
Often as an owner being faced with a suddenly ill or disabled pet can be very overwhelming.
It can make seeing subtle improvements very hard to see as you often concentrate more on the negatives and looking back comparing them to how they used to be.
Rehab post injury, surgery or illness can often be lengthy and time consuming which is often very deflating as an owner when all you want is for your loved pet to be “normal” again.
But when I get to post things like this the blood, sweat and tears seems totally worthwhile!!!!
Onyx has just been discharged by his Neuro surgeon!!!!!
Love to be able to look back and see how far my clients have come.
He’s still continuing his hydro to help increase his stability, core strength and gait re education🧡🐾
The hound gang did well today at their second session.
Duke I’m unsure if he’s training for dressage or racing (he also needs sponsoring by vileda super mops!!!!) but did actually manage some trot work.
Freya was more confident than at the last session and in comparison to Duke is very dainty!!
Cooper’s proving to be Mr cool and had a really good work out combining walk/trot sets.
Preparation starting early for the European sled dog championships in October!!!!!
(Video of Duke showing work in progress lol)
https://www.facebook.com/Southwest-Sled-dogs-1495368243922978/
Hydrotherapy treadmill for small animal rehabilitation and fitness. Email. 
