Laurie's Blogs.

 

28
Jul 2013

Gait abnormalities with a neuro dog

Hi Laurie,

I have a dog that underwent a laminectomy (x 2 actually...2 different times!).  This recovery is going ok, but since it was a second insult and because she is a senior, I am not optimistic for a full recovery.  However, she is walking and functional (yea!), but displays a marked hindlimb adduction and internal rotation in the left HL primarily at the initial contact and midstance phase of gait (Adducts slightly at initial contact and then at midstance you see the marked internal rotation).  They are not issues of muscle length, rather muscle weakness and motor control.

We have been working on trying to increase hip abduction strength with peanut butter in the groin, physioball balance/stabilizing exercises, figure eights.  Did some tensor bandaging and that helps to normalize gait. 

Not thinking I am going to fully correct the problem with exercises, so wondered if there are any devices that help to keep them in abduction that I can recommend for the client to purchase.  She can get around ok without something, but she does have quite the drunken walk and because of the IR/ADD, her backend gets thrown off balance causing her to fall at times.

Any suggestions on more exercises to facilitate abduction and ER?

Any thoughts on a device that would mimic a tensor wrap?

Your thoughts are valued and appreciated!

Thanks,

K.

_______________________________________________________________

 

Hi There!

 

So, given that the issue is weakness, my thinking is simply that you want to block the dog from going too far into that adduction range.

We had a dog that we were working with right using the UWT.  We devised a plan / design for a rear-end harness using a re-usable shopping bag with the sides cut out and leg holes and added a foam water noodle at the bottom to prevent the adduction.  So, my thinking is along the same lines - to find some sort of rear end harness (or create one as described above) and add a 'spacer' of sorts to keep the legs apart - and clip or tie up above the rump of the dog - or attach to a harness.

 

I think you are doing all appropriate exercises... my only additional thoughts would be more 'patterning' training (i.e. treadmill walking - land or UWT with low water) - with someone behind and either an arm between the legs, or constant tapping/facilitation of the glutes during the walking.

 

Let me know what you find helps!!

Good luck!

Laurie



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