Animal Physiotherapy (VetPhysioLife)

In this episode we discuss CANINE HIP DYSPLASIA:

• What it is
• Why it develops
• Which dogs are more likely to get it
• What the potential consequences are
• What signs an affected dog may show
• How it is diagnosed
• How it is managed

There is an accompanying blog post here.

Please do get in touch. Email [email protected] or use the contact form on the website.

This episode starts with an update on the Weimaraner we have discussed in the most recent episodes. Unfortunately, he was euthanised this week due to suspected cancer. We go on to discuss considerations around making the difficult decision to euthanise a pet. And how much is it appropriate to put them through.

Kim also fills us in on a 9-10-year-old Labrador that she last saw 6-9 months ago and again this week at the request of his carer. He previously had a fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE, see here) and has started limping more at the end of his walks.

Please note: there is some noise interference during this part of the call from 11 minutes in. But it does not last for long so bear with us.

We finish with an update on some of Kim's regular patients.

Please get in touch with us. Email [email protected] or use the contact form on the website.

We start by catching up on the elderly Weimaraner we discussed in Episode 23. He is making progress but not without some ups and downs. These relate to his age, other mobility issues and discomfort. Kim will be seeing him again on Monday and we will keep you updated on his progress.

During the discussion, Kim mentions the LASER treatment she has been doing with him. You can read more about this therapy here.

We go on to discuss the importance of keeping moving during recovery from injury. This is especially true in older patients but applies to everyone. It needs to be balanced with not overdoing it. But leaving an animal immobile is not good for their recovery. While it may seem kinder, especially if they are uncomfortable or reluctant to move, it is not.

We then discuss the need to reassess patients and to have a dynamic approach to their management. Every patient is an individual with different environmental factors and pet carers.

We round off with a quick update on Kim's regular patients.

Please get in touch. Email [email protected] or use the contact form on the website.

We spend most of this episode talking about an elderly Weimaraner. Kim has been treating him for some time for problems with his back legs. Over the weekend his mobility acutely worsened and he seemed more painful. There was concern that this might be due to a deterioration in his long-term back leg problems. Euthanasia was being considered if his quality of life was going to be affected going forward.

On examination, Kim identified a front leg problem as the probable cause of his current deterioration. Kim cannot be sure but suspects a stumble/fall in the garden. So far he has responded well to Kim's treatments and the antiinflammatory pain-killers prescribed by his vet. The hope is that he will recover from this front end problem and return to his baseline quality of life with ongoing back leg management.

Kim will be seeing him again in a few days and we will update you in the next episode.

At the end of today's episode, we also discuss the importance of the language we use when speaking to non-medical pet carers. How to explain things simply, accurately and realistically. The importance of avoiding both sugar-coating and unnecessary scaremongering!

Please get in touch with us. Email [email protected] or use the contact form on the website.

In this episode, Kim tells us about a new patient she saw this week. A young Labrador with a history of elbow dysplasia and a current shoulder problem.

This leads us on to talking about the use of language in explaining medical conditions. It is actually more informative to keep things simple and use words people will immediately understand. For example, Kim often describes muscles as 'grumpy'!

We end with a discussion of the role of physiotherapists in quality of life assessments. Mobility and comfort are two key aspects of assessing quality of life. And physiotherapists are experts in these areas.

Please do get in touch. Email [email protected] or use the contact form on the website.

• Fear/insecurity behaviour in some patients
• Importance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach
• Evolving management plans
• Possible anti-inflammatory effects of tumeric

At the start of this episode Kim mentions an elderly Labrador that she is treating. He has skin problems besides his physiotherapy-related condition. He is on steroid treatment for his skin and we discuss steroids at some length later in the episode. Kim also updates us on a Pug she has been treating for a while after surgery for a 'slipped disc'. Her tail is starting to curl again - listen to find out more! Kim also tells us about a Dachshund with spinal disc problems. We spend some time discussing why this breed seems to be commonly affected. Please do get in touch with us. Email [email protected] or use the website contact form.