Dog Blog
Musings
Some candid photos from recent Specialties on just a few Ballyhara Hounds.
Several of these photographs at the end were taken by Lauren Swick. Our appreciation to Laura for sharing these as I had a knee injury and my husband Bobby had to gait the hounds so we could not take photos ourselves.
In my earlier post from June 24, 2016, I described the injury my 8-year veteran male wolfhound sustained while roughhousing with his littermate. In my efforts to provide what may be valuable feedback on our experience, I will continue to update the therapy, instead of surgery, that our male, Danny, has and will be undertaking.
He had his first chiropractic consultation and treatment last week. He is a patient at The North Country Veterinary Referral Center located in Glens Falls, New York. Some may ask what is certified veterinary chiropractic care? The chiropractor is certified with either the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) or the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association (IVCA). Both institutions are nearly interchangeable regarding their requirements for certification. More information about these programs is found on their appropriate links. It is important to find the services of a certified practitioner, and for giant breed owners, especially a doctor who works on horses. It goes without saying that doctor's who have worked with equines in chiropractic care state early in their diagnosis and examination of an Irish Wolfhound, "Well, it is like working on a horse." Those were the first words my veterinarian chiropractor stated as she pulled, massaged and worked my 183-pound male wolfhound, who by the way, has lost at least 5 pounds since his injury due to muscle loss.
It is important to note that the geographical location in the mountain resort in which we live dictates the ease of which I can access Certified Chiropractic care for my wolfhound. The care is available but at some distance being nearly one hour and forty minutes each way, albeit closer though than my other Board Certified Specialists who are 2 hours distant. As such, I cannot commit to two weekly sessions per week but only one. Danny's first session involved a thorough gait analysis and treatment in which the chiropractor manipulated his cervical muscles which were inflamed and a lengthening process of his spinal column. Due to the ataxia (incoordination) in his hindquarters as a result of the injury, she strongly recommends hydrotherapy in the form of rehabilitation of the muscles on an underwater treadmill. This physical rehabilitation center is located at the same facility, and she suggests two sessions per week, however, one visit each week for 6-12 weeks could be beneficial. I have agreed to this arrangement and will combine both the chiropractic therapy session and the underwater treadmill rehab on the same day with back-to-back appointments.
After Danny's first chiropractic session I noticed a moderate improvement in his forequarters and movement of his neck. His rear remains weak and uncoordinated but, we can hope that in time during his hydrotherapy, this too may improve. On a side note: he is not incontinent. Importantly, we have decided to try chiropractic care first along with the hydrotherapy before adding the methylprednisone (a potent anti-inflammatory steroid) protocol. Time will tell if this will work but for those who may find themselves in similar positions, my updates and reports should be beneficial.
Some may be wondering what the costs are related to these therapeutic treatments, apparently not inexpensive but at this point, a fraction of the costs associated with surgery and hospitalization. The chiropractic care for the initial appointment was $215 with subsequent weekly treatments at $115 each for a minimum of 4 weeks. The physical rehab package of 12 visits is $750.00.
The next or second therapy appointment is in two days, so I will post an update then.
Ch. Ballyhara Danny, 3 years
"His neck is on the line." This idiom is appropriate when conversing about show dogs but also specialized breeds. Yes, the neck is more than just another part of the canine skeletal structure that connects the trunk and the head. In truth, it seems to have fluctuating levels of importance depending on the breed.
