Laurie's Blogs.

Hi Laurie

I have a patient that I need help with.  She is a 12 years old female english setter. Been healthy her whole life until this spring when she started showing exercise intolerance. X-rays showed a lot of spondylosis formation from T11-S1. Most significant changes was between L6 and L7 and L7 and S1. She shows no signs of cauda equina syndrome, and when palpating her back it is only really L6/L7 area which is painful. She also has moderate radiographic changes to both hips, but only the right hip shows some reduction and pain on pure hip extension. So as I see it I think her back is the main problem. 

I have created an exercise program for her and she will be coming in for treatment and water training at the clinic. She did her first exercise session yesterday and she only paced. I tried every trick I know but couldn't get her to walk or trot. Owner reports that she paces most of the time at home as well and has done so since she was a puppy. Only changes to a trot when she goes really fast. She is well-built and as she's been healthy.  The owner thinks it's just a bad habit. I've never had a dog pacing all the time in the water-walker before and I'm unsure if it's right of me to train her in water if I can't get her out of her pace. What are your thoughts? Is it okay to train her in the water-walker? Or do you have any tips or tricks as to how I could stimulate her to walk? Would it be beneficial for the owners to try to avoid her pacing or should they not bother about it as she has always done it? I was thinking about therabands, but have never tried it for this purpose before...

Help!

 - S

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Hi S,

To be blunt and honest…

Don't worry about it.  Quite frankly, some dogs just pace.  Fat dogs pace, and dogs with back pain pace, as do dogs with severe spondylosis.  Just in standing (or sitting) try for yourself. Stick your opposite arm and leg out infront of you, then switch, and switch again.  Feel how much your spine has to rotate and move in order to do this.  This is a trot.  I think that dogs with back pain or stiff backs just avoid the twisting motions. 

Cheers,

Laurie