Laurie's Blogs.

Thank you and big shout out to Beth Williams PT, of the Canine Wellness Center in Reno, Nevada (http://www.k9wellnesscenter.com/) for the following!

I have attached a couple videos of dogs working on vibration plate -

I use an old Soloflex "human" version because that's what I have from my human practice days - current price is $500 new, but I also see some on e-bay used for $100 - 150.

It works for small dogs with a carpet or mat over it for traction) and for bigger dogs, I place a platform (rocker board) over it.

I typically use it to increase tone in neurological patients still in the low tone/flaccid stage.

1.Coco is a longtime client with IVDD and subsequent surgery years ago - she was a functional "spinal walker" until a recent rabies vaccinosis which left her a flaccid paraplegic. But she is now able to stand and is beginning to take a few steps.  She is sporting pink figure 8 vet wraps for dorsiflex assist during exercise and gait training.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5-bdONSSlU&list=UUlFsPPejNk8Xz8tD8W4Cvxg&index=4

2.Sadie is a (typical) dachshund with IVDD, managed conservatively with steroids, acupuncture, laser and P.T., as owners not interested in surgery.  She has remained pretty low tone in hind limbs, but is starting to get some tone and active movement/contraction with sit>stand and when walking in her cart..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxKNxXFi_1o&list=UUlFsPPejNk8Xz8tD8W4Cvxg&index=2

3.Alba is a 3 y/o Great Pyrenees with FCE - also has been very low tone in hind limbs and difficult to stand because of her size.  She has typical complication of being "down" including recurrent UTIs, pressure wounds over her pelvis (thus the snappy "shorts" she is wearing which are toddler's stretch pants with the seam opened).  As you will see, because of her size we stand her over a physioroll placed on a box, on a platform on the vibration plate - all that starts to sound like a Dr. Seuss book!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4LzG6rhvw8&list=UUlFsPPejNk8Xz8tD8W4Cvxg&index=1

Anyway, I hope this all gives your readers some ideas for use of vibration plate with neuro clients.

I also find that dogs with multiple joint OA seem to like sitting/standing on it - I know if feels good on my knees, too!

Beth Williams, P.T., A.P.T.