Ben the dog and his Spinal Injury

10th June - 4th Hydrotherapy Session

The kind staff at K9 Hydrotherapy said we could drop Ben off whilst Stuart went to workin Aberdeen and they would look after him and then give him his swim.  So off Ben went at 8.15.  Of course needless to say I was in a complete state but Mary the receptionist phoned me with regular updates and Ben was just fine he enjoyed all the attention and cuddles.

He had another good session with 3 x 5 minute swims, still no jets as we are off on holiday next week so they don't think its a good idea to increase the exercise then have none for a full week so the jets will happen after we come back.  Overall he is very fit and strong and is still really enjoying the swimming part but is not so keen on the  spa.  Only 1 photo as we werent around and its a very soggy doggy!

6th June 2009 - 3rd Hydrotherapy Session

No photos this time as Ben shook all over the camera and it got wet!!

Had a good session and Jo (the Hydrotherapy Lady) is very pleased with progress.  Had 3 sessions instead of 2 as Ben is very strong in the water.  She also said next time they might try using the jets to give extra resistance.

She also said notto worry about the continued wobbliness and lack of coordination as Ben is doing very well and seems to cope fine with his legs the way they are.

4th June 2009 - 2nd Hydrotherapy

Hmph do I have to wear this jacket


Unfortunately Ben is slightly weaker, yes weaker, than last time especially in his left leg and he actually knuckled his paw under a few times which of course has upset me a bit.

The hydrotherapist says he is a good swimmer and she said try not to worry but its like a backward step so to speak.

He remembered where he was and had no worries about the water this time which is good. I really hope its as she says and he is just tierd as he is using muscles he hasn't used for a month. :cry:

Here he is when he got home you can see the lack of support in his legs

And finally a close up

 Here is the latest video of Todays Hydrotherapy

30th May 2009 was our 1st Hydrotherapy session. The place, K9 Hydrotherapy Centre,  at Portlethen is really nice and the staff are excellent. It's about a 2 and half hour round trip for us. We got shown round and Ben got to just wander about to find his feet (so to speak ) then after about 20 minutes they put his wee life jacket on and let him get used to that, he was surprisingly relaxed about that.

Then he got to swim in the pool the first time was only 30 seconds and he was not really that keen it was like he was quite scared. Jo , the assistant,  explained that its because she has control so he can't just swim to side and jump out and the dog, any dog, not just Ben, usually, but not always, doesn't like that. After his 30 seconds he was brought back to the ramp and the poor soul was not impressed!!, they let him stand on the ramp calm down and then off he went again the 2nd time he was a lot happier and the same proces only it was a minutes swim then some rest then another swim, by now he was doing great.

After that he gets the spa which he enjoyed

Then he got a shower with a massage then dried off and some treats and a bone. They think Hydro will help strengthen the muscles, so in time his back will stop arching and he will walk much better than at the minute, but that less than 4 weeks after surgery he is doing great

So we are back on Wednesday and then again Saturday