If your pup has recently had a TPLO - they'll need physical therapy during their recovery process. But what does that look like? Here's how rehab looked for Kimchi: We started slowly and encouraged weight bearing on the surgical leg through exercises and hands on work. It's always about tricking their brain into using their leg! As the body heals and builds muscle over weeks, we progress the load on the body to handle different stresses. After about 10-12 weeks, we re-introduce jumping activities. The final stage is return to activity and making sure Kimchi is able to do the things he loves!
Wow, Sedona is a superstar!⭐ Look at him go! He's showing off in this video by demonstrating his use of different muscles to control his ability to do inclines and declines with ease. This is very important for long term mobility and strength! Especially on the varied terrain of Portland streets! Yay Sedona! 😀
Sopi is doing an amazing job! 🐶 She is practicing her controlled jumps to help strengthen her quadriceps and hamstrings after a knee surgery. Sopi had a TPLO last year and is still working hard to make sure she is her best self! Go Sopi! ⭐
Look at Modi go! 👀This pup has moved on to some pretty advanced exercises and has made amazing progress since the beginning of her care. In this video she is working on controlled explosive movements. This helps strengthen her muscles and bones to allow her to be more active in the future! 👍
Check out Ruby! 😍 When life gives you lemons, we make lemonade! There is generally ALWAYS a solution out there for every patient, which is why we work with every pawrent to get the help for their pup. Ruby has been struggling with chronic Achilles issues that have continued to flare up here and there. In order to calm down her Achilles tendons, we got her these fancy braces to limit the amount of motion at her ankles (tarsi). Then, we will slowly let her have more mobility over time to prevent any crazy lab activities from causing another flare up. So far, her pawrents report that Ruby is doing SO well!
Today, we want to highlight a special case of rehab. She has been rightfully nicknamed "Miracle Maple" - Here's the story of why: Maple came to us with a rare condition called Botulism toxin poisoning from eating rotting salmon along the river. When Maple arrived at the clinic, she could only wag the tip of her tail and kind of lift her head. Over time with aggressive rehab, she gained the ability to move her limbs again and built back strength in her body. One day, Maple started walking again! There was no stopping her after that; she started jumping and running around like the playful pup that she is! Maple is just one example of why we do what we do to help dogs live a happy, healthy life.
Look at Kirby go! 😱 Crawling can help with core activation and strengthening all four limbs. It can also encourage them to extend their spine. 💪This pup is on it!
HAPPY 5 YEARS! 🐾🥳🫶
𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗧 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲 has been in business for 5 years today! We have had the true pleasure of being a part of so many pups' lives and we are forever grateful. The growth we have experienced in the last 5 years has allowed us to become a resource in the community to dogs of all ages, breeds and conditions.
Here's to 5, 10, 20+ years more of supporting pups through physical therapy and educating pawrents all over Oregon. 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱! 🎉🐶
Perse is a super star! 🌟 In this video she is working on balance, coordination, and different kinds of strength all in one exercise. This advanced movement challenges their brain and body. It also tricks the dog into standing on one leg at a time. 😀
This is an extreme example of a limp. Holding up 𝗮𝗻𝘆 leg is a sign of pain and an indicator to have your pup seen by a vet or rehab specialist for further assessment.
Let’s talk about jumping! Most dogs are very active and want to get back to their crazy zoomies and chasing squirrels. Jumping requires an 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗹𝘆 different type of strength! By the time dogs get to this point in their recovery, they haven’t jumped for quite some time. Slowly reintroducing this skill trains that strength and muscle memory.
Grimm is a champion at the ripe age of 16!! 🥇He has been coming to Canine PT and Me for over a year to maintain his strength and mobility as he ages in his senior years. Grimm is working on inclines and declines here to focus on the pushing muscles, the hamstrings and glutes. This exercise simulates hills, which are an excellent way of working these muscles in daily activities. Keeping the glutes and hamstrings strong are extremely important as dogs age!
We specialize in helping senior dogs enhance their independence with every day activities, so they can lead a healthy, active lifestyle without pain.
