Amber
Dobermann Pinscher (Age 8 years)
C5/C6 spinal cord compression; C6/C7 spondylosis
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Amber |
History
Following an acute onset of lameness, veterinary investigations revealed spinal cord compression and spondylosis affecting the cervical spine. A decision was made to proceed with surgery, and an operation was performed (ventral slot and fenestration). The nurses at the owners’ veterinary practice carried out the basic postoperative physiotherapy, and hydrotherapy was started at Dipping Dogs a few weeks later. I was contacted by the owners soon after, and having obtained the required veterinary permission, I assessed Amber at the veterinary practice prior to devising her rehabilitation plan .
Assessment
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At assessment, Amber was unable to stand unaided, and showed an increased extensor tone in her forelimb muscles with effort. This increased tone made even simple movements difficult for her to perform, and her overall movement and mobility was very uncontrolled. Range-of-motion of her joints was generally good, although there was some tightness into shoulder extension, due to a combination of increased triceps tone and limited scapula mobility. Muscle wasting was also evident throughout her fore and hindlimbs. When swimming, she used her hindlimbs well, but there was only minimal movement in her forelimbs. |
Treatment
I initially treated Amber at the vet surgery, and also during her hydrotherapy sessions. The land treatment included electrical muscle stimulation, massage, mobilisations to spinal joints, forelimb joints and scapula, together with triceps stretches. Functional exercises included active-assisted side-lying to sternal lying, and standing practice/weight transference exercises using a gym ball. Nurses at the practice were taught some simple exercises and positioning to aid Amber’s recovery. Treatment was also carried out during hydrotherapy sessions to improve joint range-of-motion, improve muscle activity, and stimulate the normal kicking action.
Within a month, Amber was becoming noticeably stronger, both in water and on land, and she was beginning to stand independently for short periods. She returned home, and her exercise programme was progressed, with her owners participating fully in her on-going rehabilitation schedule.
Two months postop and Amber was able to walk independently, although balance remained a problem. Her owners diligently persevered with the prescribed exercise programme and hydrotherapy, and Amber’s progress continued. I reviewed Amber 5 months after her surgery, and she was functioning well, able to run and play with the other dogs in the family. There is still some residual minor limitations to her mobility, but she can physically do most things now, and appears happy with life once again.
It was a pleasure to treat Amber and to help in her steady return to function. Recovery from neurological surgery can often be prolonged, so owners and vets who are prepared to give a dog the time and input it needs to recover can generally be well rewarded in the end. Amber’s owners were happy to put the time and effort into their dog’s recovery, and so have seen the return to function of their much loved pet.
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