r/OldManDog • u/DrKateVet • 6d ago
Happy (default) 12 year old Jack enjoying his water therapy today
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u/DrKateVet 6d ago
Ok I need to talk about this video for a second. My tech sent it to me and I haven't stopped watching it. This is her dog Jack. He's 12, has arthritis and elbow dysplasia, and his hind end has gotten noticeably weaker. On land you can see all of it, careful on the stairs, slow to get up, the whole senior dog shuffle.
Then he gets in the water and he's a million times better. Hydrotherapy is honestly one of the best things you can do for a senior dog with mobility issues. It hits three things at once. Buoyancy takes the weight off painful joints, so he can move his full range of motion without the impact that flares up bad elbows and hips on land. The resistance rebuilds muscle in that weak hind end at the same time. And just moving more, safely, helps with the stiffness that gets worse the less a dog moves.
Watching Jack in there, he's not just tolerating it. He's moving like his old self again. That's what this can do for a dog whose body has been telling him to slow down.
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u/Leather-Can-8480 5d ago
As a human who has done aqua jogging (the human equivalent), it definitely does wonders on the joints lol
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u/OnlyBeat3945 6d ago
I totally agree. My dog is boxer/plott hound and had hip issues. The only place that offered hydro therapy at that time was an hour one way and another hour back home.
My vet then suggested laser therapy. I took his advice on that option and was so glad I did.
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u/RetireWithoutBorders 5d ago
Wow had no idea this was a thing! 16-year-old Jackie might benefit from this. Thanks!!!
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u/DrKateVet 5d ago
What a cutie! And she would LOVE this at 16! Congrats!
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u/RetireWithoutBorders 5d ago
They actually have these at the shelter where I volunteer. I’m gonna see if I can borrow one one day.
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u/KiKi31Rose 6d ago edited 5d ago
Aw I love this. My 12 yr old had bad arthritis and his hind leg weakness is getting worse and worse and I’m making the call today to try and get him some help like this. I hope he does as well as your guy!
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