Some Physical Therapy Is For The Dogs

By Rick Wells, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Doctors often prescribe increased physical activity or therapy after injury or surgery to promote healing.   What works well for humans ought to work just as well for our dogs.  A veterinary hospital in south Tulsa, with a state-of-the-art water treadmill, is treating everything from arthritis to obesity.

For example, Bailey is a five-year-old miniature schnauzer.  She was an agility dog until July.  That's when she suffered a fibro cartilaginous embolism.  It's like a spinal stroke and it left her left hind leg is paralyzed.  So, she's taking sessions in the water treadmill with therapist Elizabeth Rhodes.

"With Bailey we're gonna try to increase her bending from her knees.  So, we're gonna fill it up just a short amount so she gotta step like this gingerly cause she doesn't want to get her feet wet," said therapist Elizabeth Rhodes.

It's working.  They've added a small weight to her hind leg to make her work that much harder.  She's developing a better range of motion.

Elizabeth designs the type of therapy to fit the problem.  She says creativity is the key.

"One exercise may work for one dog and not another," said Elizabeth Rhodes.

Piper is a miniature Australian Shepherd.  She has hip dysplasia.  So, her program is designed to build more muscle in her hips.  She likes the water, but is determined not to let her tail get wet.

The system at VCA Woodland South, near 91^st and Memorial, is the only one like it in Tulsa.

Elizabeth uses a remote to control the amount of water to let in and the speed of the treadmill.  It can be used for a number of things like surgery and injury rehab, treatment of arthritis, and even weight loss.

Using a water treadmill for canine therapy is relatively new around Tulsa, but it can reduce the need for long term use of medications and improve an animal's quality of life.