Animal Therapy Center « Lehigh Valley, PA

Charlie

Charlie is a spunky 15 pound six year old Dachshund who scampers around happily to the delight of his owners, but he was not always so. On August 19, 2010 Charlie (who weighed 21 pounds at the time!) was taken to his veterinarian because his belly was tense and painful and he cried when touched. He was admitted to the hospital for bloodwork, X-rays, pain medication and IV fluids. However, despite these efforts, the next day he was worse: he could not stand and could barely move his hind legs. Charlie was promptly sent for an MRI, was diagnosed with thoraco-lumbar Intervertebral Disc Disease (a “blown disc”) and underwent surgery later that same evening.

Charlie received range of motion exercises and massage starting immediately after surgery. He began therapy at the ATC on August 23^rd, 2010. His excess weight, lack of feeling in his hind legs and proprioceptive deficits were daunting at first but the team (rehab staff, primary care veterinarian and Charlie’s dedicated family) persevered. The first time Charlie’s hind legs started moving in the deepwater pool was a great day!  Through a regimen of neuro-pathway and balance retraining, acupuncture, aquatherapy, gait patterning and muscle building activities, Charlie slowly gained strength and ability. The combination of prompt surgery, excellent nursing care, early rehab and Charlie’s indomitable spirit brought him to the point where he is now, still a bit wobbly but walking well and gaining strength and coordination all the time.

Emma

When we first met Emma she was a lively five month old, four-pound toy poodle puppy who had undergone surgery for a luxating patella five days earlier.  Emma had been born with a grade IV (severe) luxating patella, or slipped kneecap, on her left knee and a grade II (moderate) on her right.  Because of these abnormalities Emma preferred to lifer her hind end up and walk balanced only on her front legs like a circus star. This habit made for a most peculiar gait and challenging rehabilitation.

Emma had surgery (trocheoplasty with medial and lateral imbrication) on her left hind leg on September 29, 2010. Five days later she was still holding her leg entirely off the ground. Her short attention span and puppy energy level had to be addressed while we created a plan to encourage her to bear weight on her hind legs and develop a normal gait. Through a unique regimen that combined controlled play, therapeutic exercise and hydrotherapy, slowly but surely Emma began to use all four legs and her topline started to smooth out, just in time for her second surgery!

Emma’s right stifle was repaired December 8, 2010. When she returned to rehab December 16^th, she was throwing her weight forward again and hunching her back, not quite back to square one. Again we began the slow process of creative activities, including passive range of motion, therapeutic modalities and hydrotherapy. As Emma advanced to the land treadmill and pool-swimming her topline became more level and she started to walk like a normal dog.

Two surgeries and four months of rehab did not dampen Emma’s lively personality. With her structural problems addressed she now happily strolls her collegiate neighborhood alongside her devoted dad, all four legs on the ground (except when she’s leaping for poodle joy).

Gunther

Gunther was a typical five year old yellow Labrador Retriever (bouncy and a wee bit overweight) until one day in August when a squirrel-chasing incident changed his life.  After trying to run down the squirrel, Gunther started limping and was soon unable to walk at all.  An MRI revealed Type III Disc Disease in his lumbar spine. Gunther needed back surgery immediately.  Gunther underwent a hemilaminectomy and spinal cord decompression on August 27, 2010. His surgeon referred him to the ATC for rehab.

We first met Gunther on September 1, 2010 when he was sling-walked into the ATC with a urinary catheter in place and no active use of his hind legs. He was a lively, energetic dog who obviously wanted to get moving as soon as possible!  However, he needed a structured, methodical rehabilitation to regain the use of his hind end and rebuild his strength and balance. It was important to tailor Gunther’s  rehab to his Labrador energy level while keeping in mind the need to proceed at a pace appropriate to his condition. Aquatherapy proved invaluable for Gunther; he was able to gain the therapeutic benefits of water as well as work off his pent-up energy. His owners were determined for him to do well and they dedicated themselves completely to his home exercise program of gait retraining, balancing work and strengthening activities that we developed at the ATC.  Gunther also enjoyed three acupuncture sessions with Dr. Dulin. (We weren’t sure if he would hold still for his needle placement but he remained surprisingly calm.)

Gunther first moved his hind legs in the deepwater pool on September 8^th, 2010 and has made steady gains ever since. He now toilets outside, walks around the yard unassisted and goes for several leash walks daily.  Gunther has been released from therapy by his surgeon but we hope he will come back and swim with us for fun.

Kelsey

Kelsey was simply the star of the Animal Therapy Center. No other dog demonstrated the benefits of hydrotherapy and therapeutic exercise quite like Kelsey did. Her cheerful Golden Retriever personality made everyone know it too. When Kelsey walked into the pool area with a big smile on her face and her tail swishing, it was time for fun.

Kelsey first came to the Animal Therapy Center as a somewhat overweight, arthritic 11 year-old, who was having trouble getting up from the floor and climbing the stairs. She had never been in water before,  but since was a Golden Retriever we were hopeful she would tolerate hydrotherapy. We needn’t have worried; after she overcame her initial apprehension, it was hard to keep her out of the pool.

Kelsey came to the ATC every week for a year, and she mostly swam. She had two favorite pool toys and we could not tempt her to play with any others. Kelsey surpassed her owner’s goals for her; she lost weight, regained mobility and even began to frolic as in her younger days.

Sadly, Kelsey is no longer with us. At age 12 ½ she had a sudden onset of neurologic signs. Her mental status deteriorated rapidly, she stopped eating and her owner elected to euthanize her.  However, she lived a long happy life and will be fondly remembered as the star of the ATC.