Tag Archive for: dog

Paralyzed dog walks again after cell transplant

British scientists managed to reverse paralysis in dogs by injecting them with cells extracted from the lining of their own nose.

All of the animals in the study had suffered spinal cord injuries that prevented them from using their hind legs.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge, England, are cautiously optimistic that the technique may eventually play a role in treating human patients.

The study, funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and published in the neurology journal Brain, is the first to test transplantation in “real-life” wounds and not in laboratory animals.

Foreign scientists of the lining of the nose of animals are called olfactory enveloping glia (OEC) cells.

OLFACTORY ENVELOPING GLIA CELLS

The only part of the body where nerve fibers continue to grow in adults is in the olfactory system.

The enveloping cells of olfactory glia (OEC) are located at the back of the nasal cavity and surround the receptor neurons that allow us to smell and convert those signals in the brain.

Nerve cells need to be constantly replaced and this is promoted by the OCs.

For decades, scientists have weighed in that OECs could be useful in spinal cord repair. Initial trials with OEC in humans suggest that the procedure is safe.

These were cultured and reproduced for several weeks in the laboratory.

Of the 34 pet dogs that participated in the proof-of-concept trial, 23 received transplants of these cells at the site of injury and the rest received an injection with a neutral fluid.

Many of the dogs that had received the transplant showed considerable improvement and were able to walk on an exercise machine with the support of a harness.

None of the animals in the control group managed to reuse their hind legs.

Caution and optimism

The research was a collaboration between the MRC’s Centre for Regenerative Medicine and the University of Cambridge’s Veterinary School.

Professor Robin Franklin, a regenerative biologist at the STEM Cell Institute at the MRC and the Wellcome Trust and one of the report’s authors, said: “Our findings are extremely exciting because they show for the first time that transplanting these cell types into a severely damaged spinal cord can bring significant improvement.”

“We are hopeful that this technique can restore at least a small amount of movement in human patients with spinal cord injuries, but that is a far cry from the fact that they could recover all of their lost functions.”

Professor Franklin says the procedure could be used in conjunction with pharmacological treatments to promote nerve fibre regeneration and bioengineering to replace damaged neural networks.

The animals received a transplant of olfactory cells.

The researchers claim that the transplanted cells regenerated nerve fibers throughout the damaged region of the spinal cord.

This allowed the dogs to regain use of their hind legs and coordinate movements on their front legs.

But no new long-distance nerve connections like those required to connect the brain to the spinal cord were developed.

According to MRC scientists in humans this would be vital for a spinal cord injury patient who has lost sexual and bowel function and bladder control.

Professor Goeffrey Raisman, Chair of Neural Regeneration at the University of London, who discovered olfactory enveloping glia cells in 1985, says: “This is not a cure for spinal cord injuries in humans, which may still be a long way off.”

“This is not a cure for spinal cord injuries in humans, which may still be a long way off. But this is the most encouraging development in several years and is a significant step on the road to achieving it.”

Prof. Goeffrey Raisman

“But this is the most encouraging development in several years and is a significant step on the road to achieving it.”

“This procedure has allowed an injured dog to walk with its hind legs, but the range of much higher functions that are lost with a spinal injury, such as those of the hand, bladder function, temperature regulation, for example, are more complicated and still very distant.”

Jasper, a 10-year-old dachshund, is one of the animals that took part in the trial.

Owner May Hay told me that “before the treatment we had to transport Jasper in a car because his hind legs were useless. Now he walks all over the house and garden and can keep up with other dogs. It’s wonderful.”

Source: BBC

24/11/2012/by Ortocanis

Elbow dysplasia in dogs

injuries, Pathologies, vet

Elbow dysplasia is a very common degenerative disease in young dogs. The elbow of dogs is one of the most congruent and stable joints of the body, allowing, due to its complexity, two axes or degrees of supination-pronation movement of the forearm and flexion-extension. Its complexity is given by its composition: humeroradial joint, humeroulnar and, proximal radioulnar.

Elbow dysplasia was initially used to describe the non-union of the anconeal process (AUP). Currently, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the medial condyle of the humerus, the fragment of the coronoid process (FPC) and, the incongruence of the elbow (INC) are also included within this term. When one of these ossification defects occurs in an elbow, inflammation originates and over time an osteoarthritis is triggered in which cartilage degeneration occurs; for that reason, all these conditions are commonly associated with osteoathrosis of this joint and are an important cause of pain and claudication of the forelimbs in large and giant breed dogs such as the German Shepherd, Labrador, St. Bernard, Rottweiler, Neapolitan Mastiff, among others.

Of genetic origin multifactorial, especially in OCD and FPC. It affects males more than females and can occur uni- or bilaterally. The genetic component is the one that has the greatest influence although, the appearance of this pathology can also occur due to food, weight, environment, quality of ligaments, a lot of physical exercise or trauma.

The first symptoms may occur at 4-5 months when the dog shows exercise intolerance, lameness when starting a movement or after prolonged exercise. There are dogs that do not show signs of affection in the elbow until advanced ages where the process of osteoarthritis is very evolved. Others manage to maintain a normal degree of activity throughout their lives.

The fact of making a premature radiological diagnosis makes it possible to establish an adequate treatment and avoids the formation of osteoarthritis that produces pain and functional limitation of the elbow throughout the life of the animal. The diagnosis can be complemented with diagnostic tests such as CT or MRI

The evolution depends on the degree and type of injury, but it is usually unfavorable without surgery. Surgical treatment is good if degenerative changes in the joint have not yet occurred. In any case it is necessary to perform a good rehabilitation in order to:

Speed up the recovery process
Eliminate pain and inflammation
Decrease lameness
Maintain and/or improve range of motion
Maintain muscle tone, mass and strength
Minimize or slow down the effects of joint degeneration – osteoarthritis
Avoid compensation at the level of the neck, spine and extremities
Give the maximum capacities so that the animal is functional and that it, with a good quality of life

Physiotherapy treatment varies depending on the animal and the state of the lesion. It is important to start as soon as possible with the treatment so that it is effective and, to avoid drying them as reduced mobility and / or chronic pain.

The animal goes through different phases until its full recovery. It is essential to gradually achieve the objectives set. The recovery process is terminated when the animal is able to perform daily activities.

During the first three days after the intervention, it is important to act on inflammation and pain and prevent muscle atrophy and decrease in the joint arch from appearing. For this, passive techniques are used that reduce inflammation, produce analgesia and help maintain tone, mass and the arc of mobility. Among these techniques there are electrotherapy (segmental TENS and muscle electrostimulation), massage, passive mobilizations and cryotherapy (cold).

In older dogs or dogs that have not been intervened, the objectives will be the same as in animals that have gone through an intervention. It is important to eliminate pain because, with pain you can not work.

It is important from the beginning to massage and move the affected elbow as long as there is no veterinary contraindication and, respecting in the case of fixation, the period of healing and union of the fixed parts. Massaging and moving the affected area and limb helps maintain mobility, prevents loss of mass and tone and works the proprioceptors.

A gentle mobilization combined with different massage techniques help decrease inflammation and reduce pain.

With TENSat the segmental level we can produce analgesia and decrease the amount of drugs administered. There are animals that have intolerance to certain drugs that produce analgesia and with TENS the pain can be reduced. TenS can also be used directly on the injured or operated area, as long as there is no osteosynthesis material underneath, since an internal burn could occur.

Muscle electrostimulationhelps prevent the onset of atrophy and maintain muscle mass and tone. With electrical stimuli we can stimulate nerve conduction.

At the beginning and end of the session the coldis used since it has properties that act on the decrease of the inflammatory response, edema and pain.

From the fourth day and during the next two weeks when the inflammation and pain have disappeared it is time to introduce simple active exercises such as shaking hands or small walks on a leash to force the animal to make an equal support with the four limbs and thus, prevent a decompensation between limbs from appearing due to not having a correct support on the ground. The walks is an exercise that increases the duration until full recovery.

Once the stitches have been removed, the animal can be introduced into the water. The advantages of water are used to improve recovery. Hydrotherapy (underwater treadmill) facilitates the station of the animal without loss of balance and, thanks to flotation, without having to support all its weight. In addition, flotation allows animals with bone pain and low muscle mass to work. The pressure of the water exerted on the body of the animal increases the sensitivity and decreases inflammations and edemas. The work in the water, underwater tapes or swimming increases as the animal recovers. In addition, with water, we can recover the motor pattern, increase mass, tone and strength, work on respiratory capacity and maintain and / or improve mobility.

Once the acute phase has passed 48-72 hours and without risk of infection or inflammation, heat can be introduced that helps to elastify the tissues, decreases pain and increases vascularization among others.

The use of boards, plates, balls and trampolines are important to work on balance, proprioception and above all the integration of the affected limb.

It is already in the last phase, from two weeks, when the dog has integrated the gait pattern, exercises are performed to improve the quality of movement. They are more complex active exercises to integrate the affected limb or limbs. With active and proprioception exercises it is possible to increase muscle tone, mass and strength; coordination and balance and range of motion are worked on. Rails with different surfaces, cones, bars, circuits, up and down stairs and ramps (staircase with inclined plane) are used.

Throughout the recovery treatment and in animals with developed osteoarthritis it is essential to reduce the weight on the joints of the elbows. For this purpose , special support harnesses for elbows are used. In addition to decreasing weight, pain is reduced and does not hinder movement, the animal feels more comfortable; the joint is protected at all times from chafing and blows and helps maintain the heat that the animal gives off, which leads to a relief of the affected area.

At home, special care should be taken for animals suffering from elbow conditions. This care is necessary during and after treatment:

Avoid slippery floors
Avoid ramps and stairs at the beginning of treatment in operated animals and in animals that do conservative treatment. Once rehabilitated, ramps can be used to help get on the sofa and the car, since it is recommended that they do not do it alone, there could be a recidivism.
It is recommended that they rest on soft and clean surfaces, but that they are firm enough to help the incorporation of the animal thermal mattress for dogs
Keep skin clean and dry skin
Use special plates at your height so as not to strain the elbow joints
Correct diet and weight control. Being overweight harms the joints and generates more pain for the animal

It is very important to create an exercise routine and environment to help keep the animal comfortable and with quality of life.

Orthocanis Team

23/11/2012/by Ortocanis

The 7 Basic Questions About Hip Dysplasia

Pathologies, Treatments, vet

1. What is hip dysplasia?

It is one of the most frequent diseases in dogs, especially large breeds.

2. What is the disease?

In a mismatch between the head of the femur and the acetabulum, that is, a bad gear of the hip joint. The femoral head is partially outside the acetabulum and the hip cannot work properly.

3. Does it affect some races more than others?

Yes, hip dysplasia practically does not exist in Greyhounds and yet it is very common in San Bernardo and Mastines. It is also quite common in the German Shepherd, the Golden Retriever and the Rottweiler among other breeds.

4. How to know the severity of dysplasia?

There are several degrees of dysplasia, but there are also different ways to measure it, the most common being an X-ray that should be done on dogs near the year of life. This x-ray must be performed in a very specific position and with the muscles relaxed, so it is usually necessary to anesthetize the dog.

5. What are the symptoms?

Normally lameness in dogs from 5 to 10 months but can remain without problems during youth and adulthood and debut with major problems in the geriatric period. Movement to the sides of the hips may also be indicative of hip dysplasia.

6. Does it have anything to do with osteoarthritis?

They are two different problems, but hip dysplasia, the mismatch of the joint, can cause over time that this joint degenerates and ends up suffering from osteoarthritis in the hip. Osteoarthritis is what hurts, especially in old age. Dysplasia may be more responsible for the dog’s development of osteoarthritis.

7. Is there treatment?

There are several treatments, various surgeries before the year of life and other methods such as hip prosthesis when the dog is older and has finished growing.

We also have palliative treatments such as anti-inflammatories or cartilage protectors (chondroprotectors). In very serious cases you can put a canine wheelchair and the dog continues to walk but without bearing the burden of its weight.

Ortocanis.com Technical Team

23/11/2012/by Ortocanis

Electrostimulation in dogs

injuries, Pathologies, Treatments, vet

Electrostimulation for muscle potentiation

Electrostimulation is a very useful tool to enhance the muscles of a dog that has suffered an injury or surgical intervention and as a result has muscle atrophy.

We can use electric current to stimulate the muscles, enhance it and make it work, it is specifically indicated in cases of muscle atrophy, and especially in cases where the dog can not do active work. If the dog can do active work, electrotherapy will be a support, never the main source of work.

Form of the impulse that we will use will be the Rectangular, symmetrical biphasic the main authors indicate it: Thepaut Mathieu 1992, Kramer 1984, Bircan 2002

Human electrostimulation apartments can be adapted to electrostimulate dogs without too many problems, but we must ensure that we can vary the frequencies, and especially the amplitudes of the electrical impulse to adapt well to the characteristics of the dog.
There are no good studies of Cronaxia in dogs, the approximate values are 0.3 human, 0.2 Horses and in dogs by studies of less depth intuit similar values;
Sawaya – Meallier 2006, Brodart 1998, Coarasa 1999, Ramon 2007
The Intensity according to Hultaman 1983, and Ogino 2002 should be elevated with visible contraction, without reaching the limit of pain but discomfort. The dog must comfortably withstand the session but the muscles must work intensely.

The frequency will be marked according to the objective, various authors validate this option: Pougheon 1992, Busko 1989, Vanderthommen 2002.

Objective	Frequency	Treatment time	Standby time
Relaxation:	5 Hz	Continuous	0
Heating:	5 Hz	Continuous	0
“Endurance”:	10-20 Hz	9	2
Atrophy:	33 Hz	6	6
Strength:	50- 100 Hz	5	25
Explosive force:	100-200 Hz	3	30

The parameters may vary slightly according to individual cases.
Rest time can be adjusted if it is active, it is advisable to use ramps before strong muscle contraction.
The intensity should always be the maximum with relative comfort.
Total time between 10 and 30 minutes depending on the phase of the injury, fatigue the muscles excessively does not help to enhance the muscles correctly.

It is important to have a device that meets all the requirements, if it is going to be used by a canine rehabilitation center or veterinary hospital, a more professional desktop apartment is recommended and with it we can use specific programs for each of our patients.

The use of rubber electrodes and contact gel is equally recommended in animals with hair.

Orthocanis Veterinary Team

23/11/2012/by Ortocanis

The five keys to having a healthy and happy dog at home

Curiosities, stories, Treatments, vet

The five keys to having a healthy and happy dog at home and enjoy it

There are different aspects that are important when we have a dog as a pet at home. Having a healthy pet means not only having it in good health but also other aspects.

The care of the health of the pet, hygiene and a correct education of the dog are the three pillars of the good coexistence of dogs and people.

The health of the pet is an aspect of vital importance, a healthy dog can bring us problems but a sick dog or with a weak state of health will surely bring them to us.

Healthy Habits are essential to maintain the good health of our pets:

Correct feeding

Routine veterinary visits and vaccinations

Regular physical activity

If we complement it with a correct hygiene (also important for health) and a careful education of the dog important for the family-dog relationship, we will have a set of aspects that will greatly improve the relationship with our dog, its quality of life and that of the whole family.

The correct feeding:

Dogs must eat feed, many times we wonder if it would not be better for dogs to eat homemade food, or if they can live well with what is left over from a house, as it was done before. The answer is always the same, canine feed is a complete, balanced food, formulated by veterinary nutritionists who determine the needs of each dog according to their breed, age and physical activity and develop the most balanced and complete diet.

Canine feed, as long as we buy the type that best suits our animal, will be the best food we can give our pet. We must respect the measures recommended by the same brand or ask for help from our veterinarian, he will be the most suitable to explain the amount of feed you should eat and in cases where necessary if we can complement it with a special dietary supplement.

Routine visits and vaccinations:

Not only for our pet but also for everyone else in the neighborhood, even for our own safety and those of the people who live with us or our neighbors it is extremely important that we keep the dog’s vaccination card up to date.

Proper vaccination prevents diseases that can become very serious for our animals.

Hygiene:

It is another important aspect, although sometimes forgotten about pets, hygiene not only means taking the dog clean, but taking care of its skin, its hooves, its mouth and therefore its breath, and that it has the appropriate place to relieve itself without staining and where we can pick them up and deposit them in the appropriate place.

Depending on the type of dog, the breed, its physical activity we must wash it more or less, and in certain breeds we must have special attention to specific points. For example, Cockers have a special tendency to make recurrent otitis, even chronic, this is because due to the position of their ears and their size, the ears breathe very little and it is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria and fungi; it is avoided with a simple spray every so often and a correct washing of the dog’s ears much more commonly than is necessary in other breeds.

It is good to be informed of these aspects when we adopt or incorporate a new member into the family. You can consult in many forums specific to dog breeds, kennels, dog clubs and of course whenever you have doubts to the Veterinarian.

Physical activity:

It is the great forgotten in Spanish dogs, I feel envious when I see in American movies the dogs doing physical activity with their owners in Central Park …

Some privileged Spanish dogs go for a walk three or four times a day, but they go for a walk to relieve themselves and especially in winter these walks are limited almost exclusively to this activity. It’s not that it’s wrong to take the dog out to urinate or defecate, the problem is that too many dogs ONLY come out to urinate and defecate.

The walk should be an important part of the owner’s relationship with his animal, the dog should feel free, satisfied, happy with the walk and should serve for him to do physical activity. Therefore it is important that one or two of the walks that the dog takes throughout the day is much longer and the dog, especially if it is young, can run freely, jump, play with other dogs …

Education:

Another aspect in which, as a whole, although it hurts to recognize it, we have been a few years behind Western Europe and the United States in Spain, even with certain Latin American countries, is the education of our dogs.

Many times we complain that they do not let us enter hotels, restaurants, shops or cafes with our dog. It is true that we can oppose many problems if we look for a hotel where pets are accepted in certain Spanish cities. On the other hand, many of us have traveled to Holland, Belgium or of course the United Kingdom and have seen small dogs on planes, and larger dogs in cafes and restaurants. We have seen them but we have not heard them, nor have we smelled them nor have we noticed their presence until the owners of the animal have left the premises. The dog was missing the entire time he was in the restaurant. Nothing like the dogs that you can find in beach bars, which is one of the few places where they accept them, and not always, competing for the neighbor’s croquette or for the piece of ham that has fallen to the lady or for directly the grilled cuttlefish that have brought you and smell wonderful.

We must sing a collective mea culpa about the education of the Spanish canine cabin, to more and better education more and better respect and understanding on the part of people who do not have pets. A dog that does not bother anyone would not count anyone and few people oppose its presence. A dirty dog, with a foul breath when he throws it directly to the face of the neighbor’s baby who in his stroller filling it with drool and scaring the child is normal to provoke the upset reaction of the child’s parents.

Orthocanis Veterinary Team

www.ortocanis.com

09/11/2012/by Ortocanis

Cold weather in dogs with osteoarthritis

Curiosities, Pathologies, Treatments, vet

Cold weather and osteoarthritis in the dog

Osteoarthritis is a very common degenerative disease of the joints in dogs. Osteoarthritis causes pain, decreased joint range of motion, and joint inflammation.

The cold weather and especially the humidity, can increase the symptoms of this pathology, in autumn and winter is when dogs with osteoarthritis suffer the most.

Two types of osteoarthritis are distinguished, primary and secondary. The primary ones are degenerative, can affect more than one joint and are due to age and the “wear” of the joint. They are the typical osteoarthritis of the knee, carpus, tarsus and even spine that the elderly human population also suffers. Secondary osteoarthritis is due to joint misalignment that has prematurely worn down the articular cartilage. These occur after a fracture, especially if it has affected the joint, due to a bad joint disposition (demarcation): bad aplombs, or in the most common house secondary to hip dysplasia.

Photo: different joint protectors for dogs

Both in one case and in the other several things are recommended:

Strict control of the diet: the dog must be at its ideal weight, if it is overweight the joints suffer very significantly this excess.
Anti-inflammatory medication, now recommended NSAIDs cox-2 are new generation nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with far fewer side effects and more direct action on areas of pain.
Joint protectors: glycosaminoglycans, chondroitin sulfate…
Regular physical exercise: it is very important not to lose too much muscle mass, dogs with osteoarthritis usually weaken the muscles due to lack of use, this weakening and muscle atrophy worsens the picture
Sleep in padded beds, insulated from moisture and warm.
Joint protectors: supports to respect joint function.
Avoid exposure to cold and sudden changes in temperature: blankets to protect them from the cold and humidity can help us.

There are specific products to protect and support the joints of our animals, both for the protection of the tarsus and for the carpus.

You can also find blankets or coats for dogs that reflect the heat of the same animal and help in cases of osteoarthritis of the spine and hip. And special mattresses for the relief of the ailments of osteoarthritis in the dog. In the morning when the affected joint is cold and the animal has not moved for a long time, the symptoms will be more evident.

Back on Track products are made in Sweden and are made with so-called “smart textiles” or new generation unique textiles that have been developed on the basis of knowledge of ancient Chinese medicine along with the most modern research, as for the techniques applied to the textile industry, supported with scientific studies. The resulting product has been a fabric formed by an optimal fusion of polyester/polypropylene and ceramic particles.

Ceramics reflect body heat by restoring it in the form of infrared radiation. It is well known that infrared light has a calming effect as mild heat reduces inflammation, decreases muscle tension and improves blood circulation. The muscles in tension relax and the process of muscle recovery is accelerated, tendons, ligaments and joints injured and sore.

Photo: Thermal coat, protects from cold and humidity conserving the heat of the animal itself.

The essential function of tissue with ceramic particles is to prevent damage, as well as relieve and accelerate the process of recovery from injuries but it is also used to warm the muscles before exercise or physical work, thus eliminating the risks of pulls and fibrillar tears.

These products: Increase blood circulation, accelerate recovery from injuries, reduce inflammation, reduce muscle tension and relieve pain.

29/10/2012/0 Comments/by Ortocanis

How to know if your dog is cold?

Curiosities

If you live in places where the temperature drops suddenly and the cold makes you wear gloves, hats and thick jackets, playing, walking and exercising outside the home can be very hard activities for your dog. Dogs have a layer of hair and fat on their skin that serves to protect them from the cold, but sometimes this natural coat may be insufficient, especially in the case of puppies, dogs in the Senior stage or breeds with a very small complexion and/or with little hair on the body like the Xoloitzcuintli, Chihuahua, Chinese Crested and others.

It is vital to monitor the physical condition of our dogs and learn to detect if they are cold or not. You must be very attentive when the temperature drops so that you can prevent muscle injuries, numbness or early hypothermia.

Here are some symptoms:

Tremors.
Drowsiness.
Slow breathing.
Muscle stiffness or slow and clumsy mobility.
Dry skin.

If your dog shows any of these symptoms while away from home, it is imperative that you take him to a warm place and cover him with a blanket. If you have noticed that he has a numb part, give him a gentle massage to help him warm up and regulate the circulation of the body. If the symptoms persist and the tremors worsen, it is necessary to take him to the vet immediately, as it could be something serious.

If you live in cold places, try to keep the house warm. Remember that electric heaters and fireplaces should be well away from your dog, as both could be dangerous.
It would be advisable to use them only when the temperature has really dropped and you have proper ventilation inside the house.

For our dog in stage: Puppy
If you are getting him used to sleeping in the garden and he is less than 11 months old, it is recommended that you give him access to the interior of the home. There you can provide him with the necessary protection according to his metabolism. Puppies are much more sensitive and do not have such good defenses. They need a safe and warm space. If he is older than 11 months, his sleeping space could be away from home, but as long as he has a very well implemented carrier, kennel or house with blankets and away from wind currents.

For our dog in stage: Adult
If you sleep in the garden or patio, you should have a carrier, kennel or house very well implemented with blankets and away from wind currents. This way you will feel safe and you will not be cold.

For our dog in stage: Senior
During this stage it is essential that you have your space inside the house. A place without drafts or cold ground. Remember that you can also use a carrier, kennel or a special chair for him. At his age he will know that there he will obtain calm, rest and shelter at any time and in cold seasons.

That is why with the arrival of winter it is important to bear in mind that our dogs need a series of special cares that are different from those of the rest of the year. Do not forget to consult with your veterinarian the characteristics that your dog has to withstand different climates.

Source: cutemininos.com

10/10/2012/by Ortocanis

What can we do with a dog with degenerative myelopathy?

Pathologies, Treatments, vet

Degenerative myelopathy, the progressive and degenerative disease of the spinal cord of the elderly dog, has an onset from 8 years of age. In the initial phases, the dog shows incoordination in movements, falls off its hind legs or makes strange movements; staggers and drags one or both feet or walks with knuckles.

The disease can start in one hind limb and affect the other up to the thoracic limbs. The weakness progressively worsens, the dog has difficulty standing and has trouble walking. The disease can progress for a year until the dog finally becomes paraplegic or tetraplegic and must be euthanized. It is a slightly painful disease and in most cases it affects urination and defecation, they become incontinent.

There are no treatments that reduce this degeneration or stop it, but there are measures to help these dogs that suffer from it to maintain their quality of life. It is necessary for the animal to do rehabilitation exercises and maintain lifestyle habits at home to avoid pressure ulcers, urine infections and loss of mobility.

Physiotherapy and rehabilitation can help slow the process. Secondary pain symptoms (tensions), created by the animal itself when trying to move, can be controlled. The aim is to stop the appearance of atrophy (loss of muscle mass) and preserve the function of the forelimbs, as well as preserve the integrity of the hind limbs, to avoid ulcers and keep them active as long as possible, stimulate their sensitivity and work on coordination and balance of the animal to give it a better quality of life.

For this, passive mobilization exercises, massages, stretching, combined with heat, hot packs , and with some device that combat atrophy , muscle electrostimulators and TENS pain, are used.

There is another part of the therapy that tries to maintain active mobility on the part of the animal. For that, balls , plates , hydrotherapy, bars and cones , walks, etc. are used. to maintain active mobility with good coordination without loss of balance. This stage is the one that is most altered with the course of the disease and for this, when the animal begins to deteriorate, not maintain its own weight, it is necessary to maintain mobility with the use of Harnesses for hindquarters , in the case of presenting difficulty only in hindquarters, or integral harnesses , to also support the anterior limbs.

The latest novelty on the market is the Biko Brace , a device that allows the dog to walk when the disease already affects the hind limbs significantly. In advanced phases of the disease, the use of customized wheelchairs is necessary.

During the stay at home, the animal must be in a comfortable, soft but firm place so that it can be easily incorporated. special mattress for dogs If the disease is in its early stages and the animal is dragging its feet, or with its knuckles, it is important to protect that area to avoid ulcers with booties or socks for dogs

During the course of the disease, the nutrition and weight control of the animal is very important to avoid complications.

In the following video we see TEX, a German Shepherd affected by degenerative myelopathy before and after the use of the Biko-Brace device.

Marta Subirats

canine physical therapist

Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner by the University of Tennessee

06/10/2012/by Ortocanis

How to take the dog in the car?

Curiosities

How to take the dog in the car?

Now that the holidays are approaching, it is important to remember that we cannot take our dog loose in an unauthorized vehicle. First for our own safety, and then for possible sanctions.

But what exactly does the law say?

Article 18.1 of Royal Decree 1428/2003, of November 21, which approves the General Circulation Regulations for the application and development of the articulated text of the Law on traffic, circulation of motor vehicles and road safety (BOE no. 306, of 12-23-03) and approved by Royal Legislative Decree 339/1990, of March 2 in its article 11.2, establish that “The driver of a vehicle is obliged to maintain his own freedom of movement, the field necessary vision and permanent attention to driving, which guarantee their own safety, that of the rest of the occupants of the vehicle and that of other road users. For these purposes, you must take special care to maintain the proper position and that the rest of the passengers maintain it, and the proper placement of the objects or animals transported so that there is no interference between the driver and any of them.

Likewise, in article 11.2 of Royal Decree 1428/2003 on collective transport of people, it says:

2. In vehicles intended for the public service of collective transport of people, passengers are prohibited from:

a) Distract the driver while the vehicle is moving.

b) Enter or exit the vehicle through places other than those designated, respectively, for these purposes.

c) Enter the vehicle when the warning that it is complete has been made.

d) Unnecessarily hinder passage in places intended for the transit of people.

e) Carry any animal with you, unless there is a place in the vehicle intended for its transport. Exceptions to this prohibition, always under their responsibility, are the blind accompanied by dogs, specially trained as guide dogs.

f) Carry dangerous materials or objects in conditions other than those established in the specific regulation on the matter.

g) Disregard the instructions given by the driver or person in charge of the vehicle regarding the service.”

It should be remembered that driving a vehicle without taking care of the proper positioning of the transported animal, so that they do not interfere with driving (adequate enclosures or independent from the one used by passengers, or systems such as the seat belt for dogs ), is sanctioned with 60 euros and does not entail the loss of points on the card.

Happy journey!

25/07/2012/0 Comments/by Ortocanis