Physiotherapy

Re: Physiotherapy

A Little TLC — Wed, 13 May 2009 20:26:19 GMT

i have used all sorts, massage, helping to walk, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy - its not nasty! just tingles, i tried it first!!

Re: Physiotherapy

Nicola Smith — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:55:54 GMT

Have you tried getting her to stand over a balance ball to take her weight then just rock her rear end side to side to encourage some weight bearing on the leg, and other exercises can be done on them too. A human gym ball can be used for bigger dogs but a peanut thing is normally used for smaller dogs but sure you could come up with something to stand her over - there must be a kids ball or toy out there suitable!

Re: Physiotherapy

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:48:51 GMT

Louby, I have just pm'd you

Re: Physiotherapy

Steph Worsley — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:40:57 GMT

hey Lou, PM me your email addy and I'll sort it out as soon as I can

to answer the question about how often we do it every 4 hours during the day, so 8am,12,4 and 8pm usually (but they are generally hospitalised when we do it)

Re: Physiotherapy

loobylou — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:25:42 GMT

[quote user="MissVetNurse"]

I always do Pettrissage massage and effleurage massage to stimulate circulation

Pettrissage is gentle kneading, rubbing and rolling the belly of the muscle, this helps to release lactic acid, it also helps lymph circulation

Effleurage is stroking the muscle using light and deep stroking of the muscle, again helping to stimuate circulation

[/quote]

This is pretty much what Ive been doing but also trying to move the hip joint by extending the leg caudally.

Re: Physiotherapy

loobylou — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:24:36 GMT

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful as always
We have recommended proper hydrotherapy but the owners really arent keen at all.
In peoples opinions how long would it take to see some effect from physiotherapy? I was thinking weeks but she is showing some improvement afer just 2 sessions.
Also, I know its 'how long is a piece of string' question but how long should the session last. Today as we were quite I did three 20 mins sessions but I dont want to over do it.

Thank you steph, thats very kind of you, would really appreciate that

Re: Physiotherapy

Steph Worsley — Tue, 12 May 2009 22:18:14 GMT

hi Lou

We have some physio sheets at work one of the girls did up, I can bring one home, scan it and email it to you if you want?

I will mark the exercises that would be good for femoral head excision.

Re: Physiotherapy

albatross — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:54:23 GMT

I've been shown how to do physio on legs and the advice I was given was:

always start distally - gently warming up by rubbing between fingers the toes, then woring up towards the spine.
If the animal flinches then stop for a while and try again.
If the animal is happy for you to continue then work your way proximally. Take at least 15 minutes to move to the most severely affected area (rubbing only, no actual joint manipulation).
Then when fully warmed up you can perform joing extensions, standing on the affected limb etc.
Bear in mind her painkilling regime and exercise generally.
Also remember to manipulate the other limbs if they are being used less, or held in a different position to compensate.
Hydrotherapy is a better solution if they can afford it.
Acupuncture may also help.

Re: Physiotherapy

Claire Cameron — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:52:58 GMT

I always do Pettrissage massage and effleurage massage to stimulate circulation

Pettrissage is gentle kneading, rubbing and rolling the belly of the muscle, this helps to release lactic acid, it also helps lymph circulation

Effleurage is stroking the muscle using light and deep stroking of the muscle, again helping to stimuate circulation

Re: Physiotherapy

wobbliebob — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:36:25 GMT

we do alot of passive joint movement on our orthopaedic patients it works very well. Also agree with the hydro if owners can afford it.

Re: Physiotherapy

Anonymous — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:27:47 GMT

Hydrotherapy should be done in a deep moving pool, not a bath. I would recommend refering them to a hydrotherapy clinic. The results are amazing! :)

Re: Physiotherapy

Fleabee99 — Tue, 12 May 2009 21:26:55 GMT

no advice unfortunately but just wanted to say well done you for making a difference to that little dogs life

thats what its all about