An lovable rescue canine who’s the longest-staying resident on the East Lancashire department of the RSPCA has undergone life-changing hydrotherapy remedy to assist him walk pain-free.
Two-year-old Ronnie, a golden retriever cross, has been receiving water remedy since he was identified with hip dysplasia, a painful situation that causes one or each hip joints to develop abnormally whereas a puppy is rising.
He got here into the care of the RSPCA Lancashire East Branch’s rehoming centre close to Accrington final June after his proprietor died.
Staff turned involved after noticing Ronnie was wobbly after they took him for a walk, and he would usually bunny hop on his again legs.
Subsequent X-rays revealed each hip joints had been partially dislocated.
Ronnie (Image: RSPCA)
Centre supervisor, Jeanette Ainscough, mentioned: “Ronnie was sore and in a fair amount of discomfort at first.
“He was noticeably wobbly on his rear end during walks and would bunny hop with both back legs moving together.
“Because of the pain and swelling, he was overcompensating in other areas of his body, his shoulders were stiff and he’d spasm through his back.”
A free remedy plan to assist Ronnie was generously arrange by native rehabilitation and health knowledgeable Amy Taylor, from Taylored Pet Therapies, who’s a long-time supporter of the centre.
This has included weekly hydrotherapy classes in addition to a specialist therapeutic massage.
“When I first saw Ronnie he was really struggling,” mentioned Amy.
“He couldn’t use his hips properly and could only walk comfortably for five to 10 minutes; it was a case of helping him to learn to walk again.
“The underwater treadmill he’s been using is especially helpful for strengthening specific muscles and improving gait.
“The buoyancy of the water supports his body, which reduces the weight on his affected joints whilst exercising the necessary muscles and helping to build them back up.
“Ronnie is such a lovely dog and has made incredible progress.
“As long as he continues to receive the right support and is well taken care of in his new home there’s no reason why he shouldn’t go on to lead a full and active life.”
Ronnie is now looking for a new home and will ideally need an owner who can continue his hydrotherapy and other treatments.
Although he’s currently on mild pain medication it’s hoped this can be reduced and potentially even stopped on veterinary advice once he’s in a home environment.
Ronnie undergoing water therapy (Image: RSPCA)
Jeanette added: “Ronnie’s quality of life has improved tremendously.
“He’s now enjoying three 20 minute walks a day and is gradually able to go further and further.
“He loves playing in our off-lead pen with his tennis balls and spending time with his favourite people in our social rooms.
“He’s already dealt with a fair amount of adversity in his short life and coped with it remarkably well.
“With the right care, he’s shown he can live life to the full and we’d urge people to look beyond his medical condition and see him for the amazing young dog that he is who is so deserving of his own home.”
Ronnie’s excellent home could be someplace away from different dogs and ideally with youngsters aged 16 and above, as he could be very enthusiastic on the subject of giving affection.
He loves individuals however could be nervous of some males as a consequence of his previous, so introductions will have to be made slowly.
He could be happiest with a household the place somebody will probably be round many of the day, though brief intervals of time on his personal might be constructed up regularly.
More particulars about the way to undertake him are on the centre’s web site.
