Therapy Archives - Page 7 of 8 - Warm Water Therapy & Training for Dogs

Wobbler Syndrome

Wobbler syndrome (cervical (neck) vertebral instability) is caused by compression of the cervical spinal cord as a result of cervical vertebral malformation-malarticulation or instability. Spinal cord compression injures the portion of the spinal cord necessary for an animal to stand and move normally. In Doberman Pinscher and Great Dane dogs, the skeletal abnormality occurs predominantly in the last three cervical vertebrae (the fifth, sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae). The cause of the skeletal malformation or malarticulation is unknown. Clinical studies …

What does Canine Warm Water Therapy Look Like? Graduates in the News!

Joyce Biethan, the owner of Unsinkable Dogs has created a wonderful K9 Warm Water Swim Center in the greater Portland and Vancouver area. Working at her pool is Mindy Mulligan, a level two graduate of La Paw Spa’s Aquatic Training Program and Judi Truskey, a level one graduate. These girls are offering wonderful service and this is a great video of some of the work that they do. Yeah Joyce, Mindy and Judi!!!

Raiden – Water Therapy is Great for Growing Puppies

Raiden is 5 1/2 months old now and she has been swimming since 8 weeks of age and is LOVING it!! Originally I had started swimming for socializing her to water…it is such a safe and nurturing environment and very positive. Unlike tossing her into a river or lake and encouraging her back. Tried that with my last dog and didn’t work so well! I definitely don’t recommend it. So when Radien was 10 weeks old she had a sick …

KT – Canine Geriatric Care

KT comes weekly to La Paw Spa for stretches and gentle swimming to help keep the circulation in her body flowing and her body limber. The warm waters of the spa, the weightless of the water and the massage while suspended and held has been very beneficial for KT. In this photo, KT celebrates her 19th birthday!

Is water therapy helpful for osteosarcoma?

Question: Hi Cindy- I am writing to you as you seem to have a wealth of knowledge & experience regarding canine water therapy! I am considering / researching some water therapy for our Rottweiler who has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma. We have unfortunately been down this road 2 other times with previous Rottweiler’s. It is heartbreaking to say the least. Our dog is 9 and we have chosen not to amputate. He is currently taking supplements, organic diet and a few …

Oakley – Running and Playing After Paralysis

We adopted Oakley in March of 2006 when he was 2 years old. He had been listed in a Seattle area newspaper as being for sale by an individual who had a pair of breeding Berners and learned that Berners are hard to breed. A family member of a local breed enthusiast purchased him in a side of the road parking lot for cash. It was shared that Oakley, whose name at that time was Okie, had originally come from …

How can I get get my vet to support water therapy?

Question: I want my vet to support water therapy, what do I say to her about my work? I have been a groomer for all of my life and my own dog went through water therapy and now I am hooked. What can I tell my vet so that she might support me? Answer: Hello Pamela, You could just write her a note from your heart and explain your vision and dream – perhaps something like this: Dear Dr X, I love …

Mattie – Hydrotherapy for a Ruptured Disc

We were driving through Minnesota on our way back from Washington, September 2002, and I saw a sign for AKC Springer pups. We decided that since it was two years since we had lost our last Springer, it was time to look again. We got the pick of the litter but they were only 6 weeks old so we had to drive 1000 miles back for her when she was 8 weeks old. We picked her up in our RV …

Whoa Stop! Hey! Come back Charlie!

HEY! STOP! COME BACK CHARLIE !!! The sounds of someone on the move…. these words are music to any health care provider’s ears when they have been caring for someone who is challenged in their mobility. I had been working with Charlie for about 3 weeks when he arrived in my back parking lot and apparently had ‘gotten away’ from his person and was ambling across the field in back… just the week prior, Charlie was completely paralyzed in his …