Chances' Story
We believe Chance was one
of those 'free' puppies that someone got tired of in our neighborhood and turned
loose to run (or get run over) when he was about 3 or 4 months old. He showed up
at our house and as no one called the shelter looking for him, he became ours.
As he hit 7 months or so, we noticed he had a noticeable swing to his walk that
our other dogs didn't. He also started to come up lame and crying in pain after
running in the yard. X-rays were done and the diagnosis was hip dysplasia.
We opted for TPO surgery in October 2000 and did the worst leg first. Chance
showed us what a unique dog he truly was by being that one in a huge number who,
on top of being a slow healer, reacted poorly to having the nerve stretched
during surgery and suffered nerve damage. This meant Chance couldn't tell what
his foot was doing so he would "knuckle over" onto the top of his foot
which then caused the hock to hyperextend. This put more stress on the leg that
hadn't had surgery causing a great deal of pain. Acupuncture and herbal therapy
helped to an extent but more was needed. By mid January 2001 Chance was taking
20-40 mg of Prednisone and 100-150 mg of Rimadyl daily in an effort to reduce
the pain and it didn't always work. The surgeons were unable to come up with
solutions other than time and water therapy, if we could find some place to do
it.
Our primary vet heard of Shiloh Road Kennels. She confirmed that Joan Jung had
built a heated and covered therapy pool for her own dog but was now expanding to
treat other dogs. We called, met with Joan, watch Chances first therapy session
and boarded Chance at the kennel for daily therapy.
Chance stayed at Shiloh Road Kennels for a total of four weeks. When we saw
Chance after two weeks of therapy including massage and stretching exercises,
there was considerable improvement. Chance no longer looked knuckled over and,
while the hock still wasn't great, it had noticeably improved and was supporting
him. He had also lost 9 pounds on a strictly enforced diet, as dogs with bad
hips don't have the luxury of carrying any extra weight. We reduced his meds to
10 mg of pred in the morning and 50 mg or Rimadyl at night as well as continued
the diet.
When we brought Chance home at the end of four weeks, the hock was only slightly
over extending - nothing like it had been before and then very infrequently. The
leg was significantly stronger and Chance was actually loping around the paddock
area! Also Chance was a sleek 68 pounds - a total of 15 pounds lighter.
Chance has been home a week now, and after recovering from a sprained toe caused
by trying to jump into the back of the Jeep by himself, is working on building
up his energy and more muscle by taking short walks. He will also continue his
water therapy one a week at Shiloh Road Kennels. We also plan to weigh Chance
every two weeks for the next several months to be sure he is not eating too much
(we had to change the eating location so he can't steal the other dogs' food).
He is down to 5 mg of pred in the mornings and 25 mg of Rimadyl nights with the
goal being to eliminate the pred in the next several weeks and possibly the
Rimadyl as well. We are hopeful these efforts will prevent or greatly delay the
need for any surgery on the other leg as we don't want to put Chance through
this type or ordeal again.
We honestly believe that, had it not been for Joan Jung's concentrated efforts
in the pool with water therapy and outside the pool with exercise and diet,
euthanasia before his first anniversary with us may very well have been the
final solution to relieve Chance's pain and suffering.
We are happy to make ourselves available as references for Shiloh Road Kennels,
both for the kennel and the water therapy program.
Jim and Sue Holliday
The Colony, TX
February 23, 2001
UPDATE ON CHANCE:
After an additional 2 week stay and with weekly swimming, Chance has been off
all his prescription meds since the end of April 2001, and is a svelte 60
pounds. He is jumping into the Jeep, onto the bed and cruising the counters
(which I could do without, but ya know..................). :o)