Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all -
Sid's been getting a little stiffer in recent months. He's eight and a half years old now and been a tripawd for five of them. He's a big dog, but we try to make sure he doesn't put on too much excess. He's very well muscled - he went to a therapist for massage and she said he had a 'ridiculous' amount of muscle. He goes swimming every week and absolutely LOVES it.
Now it's been suggested by Sid's hydrotherapist and a local greyhound trainer (who owns the hydro pool) that we try osteopathy for him. They think it might be better than massage.
My concern is that his body has adapted itself to walk by swinging his single back leg underneath his body and out again at each step. His spine has probably realigned itself in order to do this, and while it does cause him some cramping and pain, I worry that adjusting it back to 'normal' might be worse for him.
What say you?
Hi Jay, great seeing you here! I'm hoppy to hear that Sid is thriving overall. "A ridiculous" amount of muscle is a good thing as far as I can tell!
Well, I know nothing about osteopathy, is that like chiropractic care? If so, in my non-veterinary opinion, I would say that getting the body re-aligned with the way it's supposed to be aligned, means less pain to deal with. That's just a wild guess, but I think that taking care to realign oneself with the way nature intended our skeletal frames to be, means that whatever pain we are coping with will disappear.
Just a thought. Im curous to see what Dr. Wiltzius thinks though.
Thanks again for visiting!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the welcome back, Jerry! Nice to know we've been missed! 🙂
Yes, osteopathy is like chiropractic, but most people consider it to be a little more forceful. I go to a chiro myself when my neck is 'out' so I'm aware of the benefits of that, but wanted to know if people knew anything about osteopathy. Thanks for the replies so far.
I've thought about acupuncture too, but it's a long way to our nearest veterinary acupuncturist.
BTW - Andy was just looking over my shoulder because he was passing and recognised his forum! He says hi!
Hi, I actually thought chiropractic was more forceful than osteopathy, but not real sure of the differences.
I (that's Karen, the human, not Magnum) used to go to an osteopath for my back. I found it very helpful. He not only did manipulations but also some ultrasound and pressure point work.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Jay said
Andy was just looking over my shoulder ... He says hi!
Hi back! This place wouldn't be possible without all his hard work.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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