Geriatric

How well an animal ages is based on many factors, including genetics, environment, and nutrition. Aging pets, like aging humans, often have range-of-motion and mobility issues. For geriatric dogs, physical therapy goals include pain control, maintaining range of motion and flexibility, maintaining or improving strength, and promoting psychological well-being. Geriatric dogs often have secondary conditions or comorbidities that impact treatment. These conditions include:

Obesity
Degenerative joint disease
Osteoarthritis
Degenerative myelopathy
Cancer
Cardiovascular/pulmonary disease
Diabetes mellitus
Hypothyroidism
Cognitive changes

Physical rehabilitation can improve quality of life and maximize health benefits. Implementing a low-stress program with positive reinforcement strategies and multiple therapeutic exercises during rehabilitation sessions positively affects patients. Our experts develop specialized programs to help your pet fully enjoy its senior years.

Dottie is an 11-year-old FS black lab that was originally purchased as a puppy a decade ago. Her family relinquished her to the local lab rescue last year because they “didn’t want to own an old dog.” The family had never walked Dottie so she was overweight and under-socialized. As a black lab in a shelter, she had the least likely chance of being adopted. Fortunately for Dottie, a volunteer at the time decided to foster her, which quickly turned into a foster failure, and Dottie now has a loving and healthy home. With regular walks and a strict diet, Dottie reached a healthy weight, but it became very apparent that she had bad hips.

Weekly acupuncture and laser therapy helps control Dottie’s pain from arthritis. We built up strength in her hindlimbs in the underwater treadmill twice a week. After starting at only 4 minutes, Dottie can now walk for 12 minutes! We recently introduced her to the variable current pool to help vary her strengthening regimen while also encouraging greater hip range of motion.

Dottie is much more mobile compared to when we first saw her last year. While we don’t expect Dottie to hike Pike’s Peak at any point, we hope to keep her as comfortable and independent as possible in her new home. She enjoys walks with her “sister,” Tessa, and if she needs a rest, Dottie’s owners push her in a cart for a time. As long as Dottie’s spirit stays strong, we will be here to help!