You cant really see how badly they were afflicted in these shots but basically they were doing the splits with their back legs and soiling was a real issue.

Ok bearing in mind my background of working with both disabled people and animals.... the reason the girls came to me was because there was a thread on a dog rehoming forum about them and people were suggesting wheelchairs because they were proper splayed, which might be a term you are more familiar with? I objected in the strongest term and said that if you put these developing pups into wheelchairs they would never learn to walk. I wrote some suggestions regarding physio to the rehoming co-ordinator and offered to foster them. I was NOT planning on getting TWO  disabled pups... that was not plan A.... or plan Z. So she then asked if I would take a pup and the foster carers said to me that the pair were helping each other progress through play so they became my 'buy one, get one free' puppies. I did look into swimmers disease at the time but basically concluded from the literature and from what I observed in my girls... basically their muscles and ligaments were just not tightened up and functioning and that if they were exercised the muscle tone would improve, the co-ordinations a bit like either learning to walk as a toddler or relearning skills post stroke or brain surgery or injury.... that the brain is an amazing organ and if there were neural pathways that were fried then the brain would find new ones or, as in the girls case, the ones that should work would learn to work.... and I say that with no scientific words but if you look at Roostar to compare, the 'alternative' pathways were engaged resulting in a spastic limb whereas the girls ended up fully functioning... I pretty well put the preconceived ideas about what swimmers disease said about their prognosis and just got on with the job. After the pups were horribly traumatised with hydro and shivering cold, hated the hair dryer like it was the devils breath I had to find a different way.... hence the big fat duvet. I would love it if more people took up the idea because hydro is expensive and often truly traumatic. I understand the importance of weight bearing and that hydro does not put pressure on joints but is a half hour swim 3 times a week making a difference to all the rest of the time, not in a pool when they are weight bearing anyways? I am not saying DONT take up hydro.... if your vet guides you to it then if you have the financial resources then go for it... I am suggesting that some dogs, my girls in particular, just thought I was trying to drown them or that they would drown and they found it truly traumatic..... They still to this day will not swim at all. The weight beearing can be got round with the carrier bag sling I suggested. It does work... Its just finding the right material and handle length and obviously its for small to medium dogs.... shopping bags dont come large enough to stuff a wolfhound in )                   More later.xx.

admin said

ribbons said
I seem to still be moderated?

No. FYI: Other than a member's first post, the only time a registered user's comment or reply will be held for moderation is if the user is not logged in at the time of posting. Just make sure you are logged in, and your posts will not require moderation.

Yes, I see! My mistake! Read instructions when all else fails! At the top of this reply box it says NOTE: first posts are subject to admin approval before being displayed and I didnt read it properly... typical of me.... I saw the NOTE: and thought huh? Am I moderated. I apologise. I need a flip top head to fit all the feet I keep stuffing in my mouth, so sorry. Doh me. I really need to get past the idea that I have already done something wrong. But small print and instructions.... my brain just spits its dummy and shuts down totally.... Flat pack furniture is always..... creative )