Physical Therapy for HD

[spoiledbabies3]

Hi all....
Samson has atrophied in his rear legs since the cancer dx due to limited walks. I have been researching other avenues that would help him to maintain his strength and have discovered a canine PT that has an underwater treadmill. She is fully aware of the tumors (and has seen their location in the sonogram). Samson also has mod HD in his right rear leg and severe arthritis in both legs. The PT does not feel pool therapy would be appropriate with Samson since it is his rear vs front legs. Has anyone had any experience with such a device and can offer some advice? Thanks.

[debbiej]

Arlene, I took Hilda to a hydrotherapy place for 6 weeks. It helped her a lot. we didn't use a treadmill, but a vest that raised her in the water, and she swam. the therapist stood behind her and helped her move. I think the treadmill would be great. those sessions she took, while taking meloxicam helped her break through the muscle atrophy that she had developed from lack of use because of pain from her HD but she has some arthritis

[spoiledbabies3]

Thanks Debbie...As soon as his skin infection clears up completely, he will going in for evaluation. He will be signed up for 6 sessions to see how well it works. If you have any other ideas for the atrophy, please let me know...just trying to make him as comfortable as possible.

[observer]

I would certainly give it a try. I don't know why swimming isn't indicated to your PT because the problem is in the rear and not the front. Swimming takes all four legs, and it's good for all of them. Missy's PT would disagree with yours, I think--- she's swimming, not using the treadmill. (we did both the first day) She doesn't love swimming by any means, but he says she is a really good swimmer nonetheless! I'm sure the treadmill would help, but it is still 50 percent weightbearing, while the pool is ZERO.

She wasn't having atrophy issues, but if she were, I'm sure it would help... and the FAST improvement in just her overall conditioning is nothing short of amazing.

Big kisses from Missy to Samson... she says come on in, the water is fine, in the treadmill OR the pool!

[spoiledbabies3]

Thanks Layna!

I will definitely mention swimming to the PT when we arrive for the initial evaluation. I know he swims (use to swim really well ) because he learned when we lived in your neck of the woods...we got him as a pup in Phoenix (local BYB )...we lived in Mesa at the time (way back before it got so big...back when Chandler was just a "lil ole country town" and before "Arrowhead" grew into the metropolis that now exists ). Samson absolutely LOVED to swim with the girls in the back yard and to this day he LOVES water, baths, hoses, whatever the source is...

PT seems to think it will help to strengthen his legs so that we can take walks more often and get him back to feeling better...following eval she will give me a complete prognosis for him. He has been taking Tramadol for pain since they are weaning him off the pred, and I saw a cute little run this AM on our trip outside. It felt good to see him with a bit of energy again...so tomorrow following our vet recheck, I will call and set up an eval for the PT.

Thanks for the advice...HD and arthritis seem to cause him lots of pain...so whatever I can do to help with that! Tell Missy...Samson would LOVE to come in...he's a water boy!

[observer]

Well, Missy had another swimming session today... the fourth one, if memory serves. The improvement in her conditioning is truly amazing... it takes a little encouraging to get her in the water, but once she gets going, her endurance has improved SO much since the first time. She did about five more minutes of actual swimming than she had the time before, (starting out with seven laps without stopping) her rest breaks are VERY short compared to before, and she isn't wiped out for hours afterwards any more, either.

Since Samson actually LIKES water (and Missy would, too, I think, if it didn't always mean WORK) (she likes water on her OWN terms), I can't wait to see what it does for him.