Adjustments

Blu had her chiropractic appointment two days ago. I am happy to report that Blu was able to get adjusted on her right hip that was so tender, but she had a bit of trouble on her shoulders. Sounds like she had been playing hard on her front legs. Blu was tender around her right knee where she was diagnosed with her CCL, but not as tender as the veterinarian would have expected. The veterinarian looked at Blu walking around and told me that Blu seemed to be cured of her knee injury.

I talked to the veterinarian a bit between the wide stance Blu has when I think she is having hip pain, versus the leg being partially back when she is having knee pain. She said this seemed to make sense and then told me the stance most breeders have their dogs stand in for photos is the same stance that show dogs stand in, which is the front legs together, but the back legs in a motion like the back end is walking, one leg far ahead of the other which is impossible for a dog to stand in with hip problems. Apparently this is why the stance is a standard.

The veterinarian and I relooked at Blu’s x-rays and she agreed that Blu does have a bit of hip dysplasia in the right hip only, and it is very slight. She seemed to think that Blu is completely healed from her knee injury, but is suffering from some hip pain. I asked her about Blu’s muscles in her right hind leg and asked if the muscles being smaller on that side would affect anything. She admitted that Blu does have a bit of atrophy probably related to the injury and she needs to undergo some physical therapy to regain her muscle mass on her right hind leg.

I explained to the veterinarian that I have realized this dilemma, as Blu needs more exertion on her leg, but letting her do some activity, like running with her canine friend Koa is too much exertion. She recommended a veterinarian to me that does physical therapy. Unfortunately, this was the same veterinarian that diagnosed Blu initially. I explained that I was not too happy about returning there with Blu because of his recommendation. She simply smiled and without ever having said anything to her about Blu’s prior recommendation she said “he is very pro surgery.” That is the understatement of the year.

The thing is that I can either return to the previous veterinarian and purchase underwater treadmill sessions and stand my ground on no surgery, or find another location for rehabilitation. Oh, but one problem, there is only one other place for such therapy, which is the University which is very difficult to be seen at. The chiropractic veterinarian said there is an underwater treadmill there, but it is usually only for the animals who have received treatment there, which Blu has not. She said she could call over to see if there is any possibility, but most likely there would not be a chance. I told her not to bother.

So now I have to either deal with Mr. “I want to cut your dog open and take your money even though veterinarian medicine can’t justify such treatment” so Blu can get some therapy, or I need to find a swimming hole for Blu to swim in at least three times a week. The chiropractic veterinarian also suggested throwing Blu in a jacuzzi, if I had one. Hmmm…maybe I need a jacuzzi!

Blu weighed in at 59.4 pounds, so she is still losing. The veterinarian said that Blu’s “atrophy” can also be an illusion because Blu has lost a bit of weight recently. There goes any plot to justify a jacuzzi to my partner! Anyway, the veterinarian said Blu looked really healthy at this weight and she did not need to lose any more. I told her I would like to see Blu lose one more pound, and she said it wouldn’t be too much.

So I am off to research canine rehabilitation, find a swimming hole, look at jacuzzi’s and will continue with Blu’s traction exercises and doing range of motion with her atrophied (or illusion) leg.

Explore posts in the same categories: Canine knee problems, Cranial cruciate ligament, Holistic care, Right hind leg, Right hip problems