Bernese mountain dog

[JaneHK]

Hi everyone

I'd love some input on this case please.....
B Jai is a 4yo Bernese mountain dog, rehomed recently so missing a chunk of history. This video is after 4 treatments. Initially he was unable to sit on his own, now he is much more comfortable in his epaxials and lumbar spine, so his stance and movement is, believe me, much better, and he is at least able to sit!!! Now we are slowly building the gluteals with sitting on stairs reps, but I need to have him able to hold his stance with some flexion at the hock, so we can work on hip stabilisers. My plan is to use a peanut if possible, to support and slowly get some HL flexion with weight bear. He is not trained and not motivated by treats, plus he's wearing that muzzle for a reason.....

Any other suggestions?
I think UWTM would be great but I'm not sure he's amenable.

Video here (it's in slow mo- hope it plays ok for you): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89DXQJ8Tfig

His problem list is below.
cheers
Jane

Musculoskeletal Problem areas identified:
CT (imaging) findings:
- Mild OA to hips
- Mild OA to shoulders
- Disc bulge on Lumbosacral spine
- Sacro-iliac joint changes

Front legs:
· Lameness to LEFT fore- reduced extension & elbow abduction at walk
· Triceps and pectoral muscle over-toned L>R

Back legs:
· Bilateral hock hyperextension and toe external rotation
· Thickened joint (dorsal capsule) at hock
· Severely atrophied gluteals bilat
· Satorius over-toned L>R

Spine:
· Severe spine kyphosis and ventral pelvic tilt
· Epaxial muscle spasm (TL)

[lehughes]

Oh boy, Oh boy!!!

Hey Jane...

So...

Go for the UWT... give it a try... and see how it goes.

With muzzle one, try mobs to spine, pelvis etc...

So much is due to spine... so treat there. Do UWT and go for it!

If you can, you can treat the extremities. But if the temperament of the dog is such that that is difficult, or impossible... then just treat the spine and do exercise (and maybe modalities) for the rest!

Good luck! I'm sure you will do well Jane!

Cheers,

Laurie

[JaneHK]

Thanks so much Laurie. Much appreciated. I agree if we can help with that spine and pelvis.
I'll try to locate an UWTM we can fit him in and give it a try.
cheers
Jane