THAI
Thai, our Long Haired Akita who is now a 14 months old (born March 2010), was diagnosed in August 2010 with Elbow Dysplasia in both of his front legs. Both legs were operated on and just as he was recovering well we discovered late in October 2010 that he also had extreme Luxating Patellas in both of his back legs! 

Because his left leg was worse this was operated on first, it was an extensive surgery with no guarantee of success.  His right rear leg would have to wait until the left healed before they could operate again; because of the increased weight bearing this caused the right leg to continually dislocate (up to 20+ times every day) which was very painful and distressing. 

On advice from out vets we took Thai to see Lisa at Dorset Aqua Dogs in January of this year (2011) and I am glad to say we have never looked back!  Thai goes every week for a session in the pool, he is not always so glad to get in the water, but he is reaping the rewards of this treatment; Thai is now able to go for a walk every day, which before we started the hydrotherapy was impossible for him to walk anywhere because of the dislocation of his rear right leg joints.

Because of the ‘building up’ and strengthening of the muscle around the deformed joint, Thai’s right leg is now able to support his weight  and has not dislocated for several months since his hydrotherapy began. In fact our vets are so amazed at Thai’s recovery that they have postponed the second operation indefinitely which is the best news ever.

None of this would have been possible without the continual support and understanding we have received from Lisa & her ladies at Dorset Aqua Dogs and we would not hesitate in recommending them.

Many Thanks
Jacqui & Thai

CHESTER
Chester my Golden Retriever was diagnosed with severe Hip Dysplasia in December 2008 at just 8 months old.  My vet explained to me that he would need a hip replacement but would not be able to have one until he was at least a year old and had stopped growing.
He advised that during the months leading up to the operation he was only to have gentle exercise, consisting of short walks on the lead.  Therefore he suggested that Chester would benefit from hydrotherapy, as it is a form of weightless exercise and would help build his muscles up.

I was recommended to Dorset Aqua Dogs in January 2009, where we received a very warm welcome from the staff.  To start with Chester was fitted with a life jacket and then led up the ramp and into the pool.  The thing that impressed me the most was that there was a member of staff actually in the pool with the dog.  Lisa was in the water with Chester and the water was nice and warm.  Lisa explained that the amount of time Chester spent in the pool would be built up gradually each time he swam and he would also progress into a harness from the life jacket, after the first month he was swimming twice a week.  I went to see my vet at the end of March 2009, after Chester began swimming, for a health check up and he could not believe it was the same dog and the difference 3 months of hydrotherapy had made.  In the December Chester was struggling to drag his back end up and walked with a limp, today he’s bouncing around in the waiting room like a puppy.  I was so pleased when the vet said he’d done so well at swimming and although he could not rule it out completely, but for the foreseeable future, Chester will not need a hip replacement.  When he was first diagnosed with HD I was so worried about what the future held for Chester, but he is now living and enjoying a normal life including walks.

I can’t thank Lisa and Mandy enough for the difference they have made to Chester’s life and would recommend Dorset Aqua Dog, not just for dogs with problems but also for fun and fitness (the coffee is not bad either!).  Well that’s it they are stuck with us for a very long time as Chester now swims every week on a maintenance programme.  Thank you girls.

Cheers
Debbie and Chester