Getting Older

Last week, we saw Dr. Alycia Lamb at Sunset Hills Vet & Rehab in Seattle for an annual check up.  One of the reasons I originally took him to her was because she focuses on improving strength and mobility in patients with orthopedic issues and arthritis.  Pongo already had a repaired ACL in 2005 before we left Washington, DC, and he sustained a partial tear in the other knee a year or two later.  I sought out Dr. Lamb because I wanted to pursue alternatives to another surgery. 

However, I kept going to her because of her calming demeanor. Pongo’s anxiety is very high whenever we set foot in a vet office.  She is the only vet that I’ve had get down on the floor with him instead of lifting him onto a metal examination table.  Even when she was several months pregnant with a growing belly, she sat on the floor with him on his level. 

As a speech language pathologist, I have worked closely with physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) in a variety of settings.  I did an internship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center when I was in graduate school, and have co-treated with PTs and OTs in educational and rehab settings since then.  Rehabilitation makes sense to me, so why not with our dogs?  Ultimately, through the help of both Dr. Lamb and Sheila Wells of Wellsprings K-9, where Pongo went for aqua and massage therapy for a year, Pongo no longer has any signs of lameness. 

 It was with sadness that I reported to Dr. Lamb that as of March, Pongo is no longer running with me.  This has been a hard decision for me, as he has been my running partner for eleven years.  My husband had to help me realize that not only could Pongo no longer keep up on our runs, but his back legs would be stiff for several days after and he would have trouble going up stairs in the house.  I thought it was because of arthritis, but Dr. Lamb told me that as dogs age, they lose the range of motion in their legs.  He no longer has the range of motion to run. 

Dr. Lamb’s recommendation was that I do range of motion exercises with Pongo to help him maintain mobility as long as possible.  She suggested that I have him do a series of quick sit-stand-sit-stands where I don’t allow him to sit all the way.  This will cause his knee to bend and then he has to push himself up.  It’s like having your dog do squats!  She also suggested having him put his paws up on something to fully extend his hind legs. 

It is hard to face the signs of Pongo aging.  Although he is no longer able to run, he still needs a high level of activity to keep his anxiety in check.  This is why we started doing nose work.  It uses his brain to do something very exciting for him (use his nose) but doesn’t require athletic ability like other dog sports. 

 My goal is to keep Pongo active and happy for as long as is dogly possible.

 

 

Pongo and his best friend, Calder, hiking on Day Mountain 2012

 

You can read more about Sheila Wells, a licensed massage practitioner for small animals at: 

 http://wellspringsk9.com/

Information about Sunset Hills Veterinary & Rehabilitation and Dr. Lamb can be found at:  

www.sunsethillvet.com/