Roxy had her first canine rehab session today. She was examined, measured and had her back adjusted. A normal hip has a movement radius of 180 degrees. Roxy's right hip (the operated on one) is at 126 degrees and her left hip is at 132 degrees. That gives us a starting point so we can record her progress.
Roxy's treatment plan starts with 7 days of pain management therapy. To do this, we are using Alpha-Stim technology which is electrotherapy stimulation. Using probes, microcurrents are concentrated on various parts of her hips and legs to alleviate the pain in that area. Even though she's on a non-steroidal pain medication (like Motrin), the medication isn't concentrated on the area that hurts. Once we relieve the pain surrounding the environment where she had surgery, we can focus on getting her to work the hip. The theory is that if we start working her hip right away, she will resist the physical therapy because it will be painful. By relieving the pain first, she will be more comfortable working the leg. We are also using Alpha-Stim on her left leg (which is still painful due to the dysplasia).
We did the first session of Alpha-Stim in the rehab office today. It is fairly easy to use but Roxy will take some time getting used to it. After just 5-6 minutes of the micro-current therapy, she was noticeably more relaxed than the entire time we waited in the lobby and during the examination. Her body was tense and she was on alert at first. Once we started the microcurrents, her body relaxed and she leaned into me.
In addition to the twice daily 20 minute Alpha-Stim treatments, we are supplementing her diet with Trixsyn Syrup (to help rebuild muscle tissue) and a concentrated Glucosamine powder. We'll focus on pain management for 7 days and then we start her actual physical therapy exercises next week.
I was skeptical in the beginning. I mean, electro-therapy? Micro-currents? C'mon. But I do have to say, as we were walking out of that office, Roxy was putting weight on that leg more than I've seen in the past two weeks. When we got home, she was continuing to put more and more weight on it. The most significant change was her interaction with Ryu. Even though she hasn't minded if he initiated play, she didn't initiate rough play yet.
Then, today, this happens:
Actually, she is initiating ANOTHER play session as I'm typing this
And I tried to get some video of her using the leg:
So far, I'm pleased with today's result. She hasn't used that leg this much in one day since the surgery so I hope this trend continues! I'm going to get some video of us doing the Alpha-Stim treatments. It's very interesting.
Pam, Glad things seem to be moving along nicely!!!!! I hope she continues to make progress!!!!!
Question, I've begun some physical therapy on my shoulder and they are using the Electric Stimulation on me...how does that work with a pup? Does Roxy sit still for it??? How do the Vets get her to do the things they need her to do? (Sorry for the silly questions....just can't get an image in my head how this would work. lol)
Katie - When we do the treatments, one person has to cradle Roxy and pet her while another person positions the probes on her. She doesn't mind the probes at all but getting the ear probes attached is HELL. Someone has to hold her so she doesn't swat at her ears. And she has to keep the ear probes in for 20 minutes! The purpose to send "pain-relieving" signals directly to the brain so her brain learns that the pain is dissipating.
Brandon - I am always amazed at how gentle Ryu is with her. Even before she had the surgery, there were times when she would literally just beat him up and he just lets her do whatever. He really is a great big brother. But I also worry because he almost never corrects her, when she NEEDS to be corrected! lol
Kristin - I've never heard of electro-stimuli before but it really seems to be a great therapy aid. I hope your wrist feels better!!
Pam, like Roxy I too will need surgery They do the stimuli as a way to prevent surgery for the Summer as I refuse to have surgery until after golf season :P
We are doing the same for Roxy's left leg. Since she won't be able to have another surgery until she is using her right leg really well, the Alpha-Stim will help ease the pain in the left leg until then.
She is such a devil! I was absolutely amazed at how much she is using that leg. Tim and I ate on our back porch yesterday and we just watched her run circles in the back yard, run up the stairs, back down, and run around again. We just couldn't keep our eyes off of her! She's even starting to do her favorite attack trick. When Ryu is busy sitting, waiting for us to throw the tennis ball, she pounces at the base of his tail. Then he stands up, turns his head and barks at her. This just makes her jump up, plant her two front paws on his back hips and nibble on his tail. This means she's BALANCING on her back two legs! I couldn't believe she's already starting to do that again.
Funny thing happened yesterday. I mentioned that it was HELL getting her to sit still for me to attach the ear probes. They are little clips that just clip the sides of her ears. I mean, kicking, yelping, squirming, snapping, the whole shebang. I had to get a muzzle!! Even with the muzzle, she goes wild and just shakes the clips out of her ears. Finally, I gave up and said "We'll do the leg probes and then when that relaxes her, we'll try the ear clips again" So, Tim sets her on the bed while I attach all the wires and get the monitor set up. Wouldn't you know, Tim picked up the ear clips, slid them in her ears and she WAS FINE! No squirming, no head-shaking, NOTHING. That little stinker.
Well, I couldn't manage to video and administer the Alpha-Stim treatment at the same time so I just took photos of the ear probe session. We call it her "Ipod session"
This video cracks me up because she's currently re-learning how to scratch with her right leg. As you can see, she doesn't have much control over the leg yet and it just kinda wobbles.
The way the specialist explained it to me was that the ear probes send "feel good" vibrations directly to the brain. Essentially to retrain the brain to "forget" the pain that she felt in her leg. Not sure if that really works but she seems a bit more relaxed after 20 minutes of her Ipod sessions. Then again, she IS an Alvarado so she seems relaxed all the time :P
Pam, That's comparitively mild to what I expect from the usual Shiba:P. She didn't 1.) Bite Tim's hand, 2.) try to stand 3.) scream and run away, all the while cackling, "Viva le Resistance!"
That's still really, really good. I've seen Nemo fight off one vet and three vet techs by himself at the vet. Nemo always thinks he is fighting for his life at the vet.
Comments
Roxy had her first canine rehab session today. She was examined, measured and had her back adjusted. A normal hip has a movement radius of 180 degrees. Roxy's right hip (the operated on one) is at 126 degrees and her left hip is at 132 degrees. That gives us a starting point so we can record her progress.
Roxy's treatment plan starts with 7 days of pain management therapy. To do this, we are using Alpha-Stim technology which is electrotherapy stimulation. Using probes, microcurrents are concentrated on various parts of her hips and legs to alleviate the pain in that area. Even though she's on a non-steroidal pain medication (like Motrin), the medication isn't concentrated on the area that hurts. Once we relieve the pain surrounding the environment where she had surgery, we can focus on getting her to work the hip. The theory is that if we start working her hip right away, she will resist the physical therapy because it will be painful. By relieving the pain first, she will be more comfortable working the leg. We are also using Alpha-Stim on her left leg (which is still painful due to the dysplasia).
We did the first session of Alpha-Stim in the rehab office today. It is fairly easy to use but Roxy will take some time getting used to it. After just 5-6 minutes of the micro-current therapy, she was noticeably more relaxed than the entire time we waited in the lobby and during the examination. Her body was tense and she was on alert at first. Once we started the microcurrents, her body relaxed and she leaned into me.
In addition to the twice daily 20 minute Alpha-Stim treatments, we are supplementing her diet with Trixsyn Syrup (to help rebuild muscle tissue) and a concentrated Glucosamine powder. We'll focus on pain management for 7 days and then we start her actual physical therapy exercises next week.
I was skeptical in the beginning. I mean, electro-therapy? Micro-currents? C'mon. But I do have to say, as we were walking out of that office, Roxy was putting weight on that leg more than I've seen in the past two weeks. When we got home, she was continuing to put more and more weight on it. The most significant change was her interaction with Ryu. Even though she hasn't minded if he initiated play, she didn't initiate rough play yet.
Then, today, this happens:
Actually, she is initiating ANOTHER play session as I'm typing this
And I tried to get some video of her using the leg:
So far, I'm pleased with today's result. She hasn't used that leg this much in one day since the surgery so I hope this trend continues! I'm going to get some video of us doing the Alpha-Stim treatments. It's very interesting.
Keep up the good work Roxi! : )
Snf
Question, I've begun some physical therapy on my shoulder and they are using the Electric Stimulation on me...how does that work with a pup? Does Roxy sit still for it??? How do the Vets get her to do the things they need her to do? (Sorry for the silly questions....just can't get an image in my head how this would work. lol)
It's a great thing she's feeling so well and that the rehab is providing a real and visible help.
Love the hip check in the second video.
Katie - When we do the treatments, one person has to cradle Roxy and pet her while another person positions the probes on her. She doesn't mind the probes at all but getting the ear probes attached is HELL. Someone has to hold her so she doesn't swat at her ears. And she has to keep the ear probes in for 20 minutes! The purpose to send "pain-relieving" signals directly to the brain so her brain learns that the pain is dissipating.
Brandon - I am always amazed at how gentle Ryu is with her. Even before she had the surgery, there were times when she would literally just beat him up and he just lets her do whatever. He really is a great big brother. But I also worry because he almost never corrects her, when she NEEDS to be corrected! lol
Kristin - I've never heard of electro-stimuli before but it really seems to be a great therapy aid. I hope your wrist feels better!!
We are doing the same for Roxy's left leg. Since she won't be able to have another surgery until she is using her right leg really well, the Alpha-Stim will help ease the pain in the left leg until then.
She looks like she was feeling almost back to her old self in those videos. And Ryu is such a sweetie to let her beat up on him like that.
In the 1st video, she's like:
"Mommy! See? I'm feeling so much better...I'm gonna attack Ryu!"
Funny thing happened yesterday. I mentioned that it was HELL getting her to sit still for me to attach the ear probes. They are little clips that just clip the sides of her ears. I mean, kicking, yelping, squirming, snapping, the whole shebang. I had to get a muzzle!! Even with the muzzle, she goes wild and just shakes the clips out of her ears. Finally, I gave up and said "We'll do the leg probes and then when that relaxes her, we'll try the ear clips again" So, Tim sets her on the bed while I attach all the wires and get the monitor set up. Wouldn't you know, Tim picked up the ear clips, slid them in her ears and she WAS FINE! No squirming, no head-shaking, NOTHING. That little stinker.
Sake loves to bite Miso's tail too
She's also pretty stubborn. Quite amazing for a Shiba.
All wired up:
What is the point of the ear probe?
Jesse
That's comparitively mild to what I expect from the usual Shiba:P. She didn't 1.) Bite Tim's hand, 2.) try to stand 3.) scream and run away, all the while cackling, "Viva le Resistance!"
Jesse