Sheridan Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Now that Grumpy has been on his Cushing's medication for a month, I've noticed he's become less "slippy" in his back legs though he still has the Cushing's "sag". I want to start doing some gentle exercise with him to build up strength in his hindquarters. I don't think there are canine physios or a swimming pool I could take him to in Canberra and given his dementia I don't know how he'd go with either of those, though I'd be willing to try if they were available. I was hoping to get some suggestions as to what else I could do as well as some short walks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 You could check out some of the FitPaws gear. Things like the balance discs might be good or the peanut. K9Pro stock the FitPaws gear these days - http://www.k9pro.com.au/categories/Fitness-and-Rehab/Fitpaws/ You can start by having the dog place its front feet on the disc/peanut. Even just sitting or standing on the disc or the peanut is causing the dogs muscle to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristineX Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Hi Sheridan, Duke's chiro suggested a fitball (ie stand on ball with front legs, get treats), we were progressing to moving fitball but Duke decided to play Doctors (RIP fitball No. 2, like fitball No.1 he did not survive surgery). We also do massage on the back and up along the spine. Also teaching that elephant trick on the phonebooks as well. Seems to be working for Duke (so far, anyhow. Chiro sessions are getting longer between visits). Also, apparently a bit of backwards walking, (still working on that one), walking in soft sand, uphill and downhill (which is problamatic for me currently)all help, laddering is also supposed to be beneficial, but Duke (of course) wants to walk ON the rungs, not between them.There are also stretches which help - using treats to encourage the head horizontally round to the tail direction for stretching and strengthening is one I am currently using a lot. Duke has spent a couple of years with insufficient muscle along the spine to keep the vertebrae aligned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gila Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 I do a set of sit to stand exercises with my dog everyday. They're like squats for dogs. They use the muscles in their hind legs to push up into a stand. Try not to let him take too many steps forward as he does it and it'll be more effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 You can also check out some videos at TopDog - they have a video of the sit/stand exercise for example. Things also such as walking up and down off curbs can help build hind end strength. http://topdoghealth.com/rehabcenter/rehab-videos/#.UCdNL47W8y4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleo's Corgwyn Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 I've been taking Shandy to a very good animal physio in Canberra, and I'm happy to pass on their details if you'd like to PM me. They gave me some very good exercises and stretches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted August 12, 2012 Author Share Posted August 12, 2012 Some great suggestions. Thanks everyone! CleoJ, I have PM'd you. I like the simpleness of some of these, though Grumpy, being grumpy, may not take too well to ones involving stretching without someone to help me with him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mim Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 My old girl is having leg and back issues and I've been told that walking her on sand will be great to build up strength. First only for 5-7 minutes and then slowly build up (if you over-do it they'll just go backwards). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted August 12, 2012 Author Share Posted August 12, 2012 No sand 'round here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Some gentle hill work may work- so doing some zig zags up gentle slopes. Also some very low cavalletti to get him to pick up his back feet- I started off with walking over pool noodles before making some taller ones but noticed the dogs strengthening with just that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheena Posted August 12, 2012 Share Posted August 12, 2012 Do you have access to a swimming pool...great non-load bearing excercise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted August 14, 2012 Author Share Posted August 14, 2012 Unfortunately, no access to a pool. I spoke to the vet yesterday and he talked about the fitball exercises and the physio that CleoJ mentioned. We're going to talk in more detail next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted August 22, 2012 Author Share Posted August 22, 2012 Okay, bit of an update. I had a good chat with the local animal physio and am making an appt to take Grumpy to her for an assessment next week. She said they get all sorts of dogs at various stages of health (including mental health!) and they have a good discussion with the dog's vet, too. I was very pleased with our discussion about the grumpy man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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