A WORCESTER rescue dog is jumping for joy after sessions on an underwater treadmill helped her make a successful return to dog agility.
Dottie, a six-year-old terrier, is flying over fences, racing across balance beams and weaving through poles again after recovering from serious injuries in both hind legs.
The much-loved pet was left in agony after suffering ruptured cruciate ligaments, which prevented her from participating in her favourite pastime of dog agility with her dedicated owner Sally Hunter.
She underwent surgery for her ruptured cruciate ligaments at Severn Veterinary Centre’s Worcester Veterinary Hospital and then had hydrotherapy sessions as part of her rehabilitation, to help get her back to competition fitness.
According to Severn Vets’ veterinary nurse Natasha Wyard, who runs the hospital’s hydrotherapy suite at the veterinary hospital in Warndon Villages, Dottie took to the sessions like a duck to water.
Natasha, who has a diploma in animal physiotherapy and a certificate in hydrotherapy, said: “Dottie is such a friendly, happy dog and she loved being in the water for the hydrotherapy sessions.
“Hydrotherapy is beneficial for dogs like Dottie because it helps rebuild muscle tone and restore fitness, as both are lost very quickly after injury or surgery. Moving in water encourages patients to flex and extend their joints more, and the buoyancy of the water supports their weight so it’s a very controlled form of exercise.
“Pets can start hydrotherapy two to three weeks sooner than they can start going out for walks again, which means it’s also a great way to keep them stimulated when they’re on restricted exercise and helps stop them getting bored.”
Dottie had hydrotherapy and laser therapy, which uses a beam of light to accelerate healing, after her surgeries, which were one year apart.
Natasha said: “Dottie ruptured her cruciate ligaments, which are like pieces of elastic that hold the knee together. If they’re damaged, the knee becomes unstable and it’s very painful for the pet.
“In Dottie’s case, hydrotherapy supported her recovery after surgery, but it’s also useful for pets who have suffered injuries or have arthritis. The water is warm, so it’s soothing and can help relieve pain and it’s great for increasing blood circulation, too.
“Dottie was a lovely patient and it’s great to hear she’s back to her old, energetic self and able to enjoy agility competitions again.”
Dottie’s owner, Sally Hunter, rehomed Dottie from Many Tears Rescue Centre in South Wales when she was just eight weeks old. They train with Barkaway Dog Agility in Worcester and travel to shows all around the UK.
Sally said: “Dottie is very excited to be doing agility again and has been to two competitions since being given the all-clear by the team at Severn Vets. She even took 2nd place out of around 20 dogs, which is amazing after practically a year out from competition.
“It was worrying when Dottie suffered her cruciate ligament problem the first time, and she was on three legs and was clearly in a lot of pain. She had surgery and hydrotherapy, but we were told it was likely that her second leg would be affected, so as soon as we noticed a subtle change in how she was moving, we took her back to Severn Vets.
“The team at Severn Vets have been amazing and they’ve given Dottie the best possible care. She loved her hydrotherapy sessions, and would bounce through the door to see Natasha.
“As well as building up her muscles after surgery, the hydrotherapy helped stop Dottie being bored. We noticed how it gave her back her confidence because she felt stronger and could move around more easily after the sessions and she has a new spring in her step.”
