hydrotherapy

RE: hydrotherapy

jules007 — Mon, 01 May 2017 18:20:14 GMT

Hi Jen. Thanks for your post and yes i was a bit surprised the specialist didnt recommend hydro.

My lab has reduced range of motion and remodelling of the bone, his ED wasn't severe at the time of surgery and he just had a small amount of unhealthy bone removed.

I probably will give it a go although i might see a physio first to assess the joint.

He loves the water so that won't be an issue!

RE: hydrotherapy

jules007 — Mon, 01 May 2017 18:15:30 GMT

Having just read an article regarding the mechanisms of the pain pathway, i can see that I've a lot to learn about it! I wasnt keen to add an additional pain killer at this stage but it seems Ive been coming at it from the wrong angle. A pain clinic is definitely the way forward.

RE: hydrotherapy

Jen Best — Mon, 01 May 2017 16:25:59 GMT

Hi Juliet

I'm sorry to hear about your lab, I'm a vet nurse & hydrotherapist who works with both the underwater treadmill & pool. From my experiences with ED with have had successes in both the pool environment & the treadmill. It really depends on the surgery performed, the extent of the lameness. The hydrotherapist should carry out an assessment & take each case on an individual basis. From this they should work out a treatment plan for your lab. It is disappointing that your specialist does not think that hydrotherapy would help. The properties of the water will help to reduce any swelling, reduce pain & allow your lab to exercise in a non weight bearing manner due to the buoyancy of the water taking the weight. This will allow your lab to exercise & use muscles that they probably don't want to use on land when weight bearing, this will enable muscles mass to be increased. It is important to start off slowly to assess how stiff they would be after & then adjust the hydrotherapy programme. Hydrotherapy should improve your lab's condition & not make it worse. Good luck with the treatment & how this has helped

RE: hydrotherapy

Vicky Ford-Fennah — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 21:36:14 GMT

The good thing about a pain clinic will be that they should look at everything holistically. Give willows a ring, definitely worth ago. Let me know if you don't have any joy with Willows and I will ask my colleague about who else is around you.

RE: hydrotherapy

jules007 — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 21:30:24 GMT

Thanks Vicky, a pain clinic sounds like a good route. Not sure if Willows have one but they are my nearest referral clinic.

He's still quite mobile so keen to keep him that way for as long as possible.

It would be nice to wave a magic wand and eliminate ED in these poor buggers altogether!

RE: hydrotherapy

jules007 — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 21:24:52 GMT

That's really helpful, thank you. He is currently just on Rimadyl 50mg BID but about to add omega 3s and i have been supplied with amantadine (although would rather try other options first before trying the slightly harder stuff). I'm happy to try physio first although again the specialist didnt endorse it when i mentioned it.

i would try acupuncture but thought the hydro/physio would improve the function of the joint. I'll happily to do acupuncture for pain relief.

Don't know too much about laser but will look in to it.

All good info, thanks!

RE: hydrotherapy

Vicky Ford-Fennah — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 11:51:50 GMT

No worries

RE: hydrotherapy

Vicky Ford-Fennah — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 11:50:28 GMT

Hi Juliet,

Lowri is based near cardiff I believe (just google her, I think its smart clinic) I haven't worked with her personally but I work with a diplomat anaesthetist who has a particulnar interest in chronic pain that I work with has and says she is very good.

A pain clinic would be a good option. I don't know if Willows run one. Matt Gurney at North West Surgeons definitely does. I could find out some others if you would like me too.

Best Wishes

Vicky

RE: hydrotherapy

Lulabell23 — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 11:44:42 GMT

Sorry Vicky! Didn't read the post correctly and my computer is on a go slow!

RE: hydrotherapy

Vicky Ford-Fennah — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 11:41:18 GMT

This isn't my post lulabell23! Just giving advice

RE: hydrotherapy

Lulabell23 — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 11:32:13 GMT

My dog has chronic OA and been doing hydrotherapy sessions for about a year ( had about 6 weeks off due to her getting a stomach ulcer and needing surgery etc). I know its not the same as ED but we were recommended the treadmill over the pool as the exercise is a lot more controlled on the treadmill as she was over extending her limbs when in the swimming pool. We started off very slowly by doing very little at first and building her up to managing to do longer on the treadmill. She is currently doing 8 minutes but in blocks of 4, so 2 min walk, 2 min break etc. I go every 2 weeks. If you dog was worse after the session I would suggest she/he has done too much?

I have been on CPD taught by Lowri and she is good. I think she would recommend physiotherapy to build the muscles up and help with core strength first before going to the hydro route. She was not anti hydrotherapy on her course but more cautious as physiotherapy can help a lot more first.

Have you got go pain relief on board? Have you looked at acupuncture? Works well for my dog and I'm lucky a vet friend of mine is qualified to do it as I know you need to do a course to be able to do it. Also cartrophen course every 6 months and joint supplements?

Finally we have a laser machine at my practice and works really well with these cases but I understand not everyone is a believe and thinks its a red light wand going over their pet but we have seen some great responses.

RE: hydrotherapy

jules007 — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 10:06:25 GMT

Hi Vicky,

I am based in south Warwickshire and i'd welcome any advice as im keen to keep him as mobile and pain free as possible. My assumption was that hydro would help but if the consensus amougst the specialists is that it doesn't then i'll avoid it.

I'm not familiar with Lowri Davies, but will take a look.

thanks

juliet

RE: hydrotherapy

jules007 — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 10:00:22 GMT

Hi Yvette,

Thanks and yes i hope you see improvements in your girl. My understanding is that building muscle mass helps to support the joints. Perhaps there's a stronger indication for hydrotherapy in HD vs ED??

My specialists opinion was there's no evidence it helps with ED and the treadmill could make it worse. But i don't want to rule it out just yet. I may opt to try the pool instead.

RE: hydrotherapy

Vicky Ford-Fennah — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 05:56:26 GMT

It might be worth getting some advice fron someone with experience with chronic pain management, e.g. A anaesthesia diplomat who runs a pain clinic or Lowri Davies who's a rehab expert (there arent many around). Where abouts are you?

Vicky Ford-Fennah

BSc(Hons) RVN VTS(anesthesia/Analgesia) A1 VPAC

Nurse/technician representative Associtation of Veterinary Anaesthetists

RE: hydrotherapy

Yvette Boffey — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 22:42:44 GMT

I know it's slightly different and not much help but my gsd has just been diagnosed with bilateral hip dysplasia. The uni advised hydrotherapy. She's on pain meds and weight loss. She had her first hydrotherapy session yesterday. It's in the pool though rather than the treadmill as they said that would benefit her better?? She's got to have weekly sessions for now and then can drop to fortnightly. After the session yesterday she is very stiff, uncomfortable and looks to be walking worse than what she was? I'm hoping that's normal and she'll improve again.

I don't know anything to do with hydrotherapy but I'm hoping it will work.