Recommend a specialist vet and/or Pet massage

Tranceypoo

Older dog has a 'dodgy' back leg, basically it was broken years ago (before he came to us), vet didn't set it properly so it's a teeny bit shorter and he can't bend it, has never bothered him that he has shown anyway, apart from a slight limp, he is on glucosamine supplement lately but I'm just wondering if there is a vet who would specialise in such things, bones, joints not really sure, preferably in Galway or the surrounding counties!

Also, was looking for a pet masseur or some sort of 'alternative' therapy for him, I do massage his leg sometimes because I was told by my vet it would get quite stiff and 'tight', my vet is lovely but not a specialist in such areas, yes I will ask him next time I see him but if anyone has any advice or recommendations that would be great, thanks

snoman

I wonder if hydrotherapy would be an idea. Meant to be very good for stretching muscles and making your dog use a full range of movement with low impact. That said I'm in Cork so have no idea where would be close to you.

Pumpkinseeds

I agree with Snoman. My husbands step father rottie had awful problems with her back legs and after surgeries she had hydrotherapy, it seems to have really helped her. The vet is probably the best person to ask.

Tranceypoo

Yeh I looked into the hydrotherapy but there wasn't any in Galway, mind you I haven't looked lately, will check it out now!

tk123

Maybe ask at local vets in case they do it. Our vet who we've been going to for close to 10 years now does acupuncture and we never knew - somebody who goes to our hydrotherapy told me!

DBB

Tranceypoo, I'd be thinking of looking not just for a hydrotherapist, and/or a physiotherapist: it is absolutely worthwhile asking your vet as there's a physiotherapist AND hydrotherapist lady very near me who's not listed anywhere online!
Another possible option, although I'm not sure how accessible this will be in Galway, is Tellington Touch? Or even acupuncture? I *think* there's someone down Clare way who does the latter with animals (Sillymango may be able to shed some light on this).

tk123

+1 for Tellington Touch! I've done ground work with Bailey and found it really helped loosen him up/bear weight more evenly on his back legs when he was recovering from surgery. I got out of the habit of doing it with him when the evenings got darker but when I was doing it a few times a week everyone we know was commenting that he looked different/taller/longer - he wasn't holding as much tension in his hind quarters and was just moving better.

SillyMangoX

DBB wrote: »

I *think* there's someone down Clare way who does the latter with animals (Sillymango may be able to shed some light on this).

Yes there is someone in Shannon/Limerick, one of the nurses in the practice we use specialises in physio, it's done through vet referral though. Also there is a woman on Clare who does laser acupuncture, again through vet referral. I've no experience with her yet but should have in the coming months

Tranceypoo

Thanks all, would you believe that I actually did a 1 day course in T-Touch..:o I had completely forgotten because it was many years ago and actually because it was only a day I didn't feel I learned a whole lot anyways so I wouldn't be confident to practise on him.

I will be going into 'the town' tomorrow so going to ask at a couple of the more 'small animal based' vet surgeries

thegreatgonzo

Is Athlone too far away for you? There is a physio there. And I think there might be a canine hydrotherapy place in Nenagh but again that's pretty far away.

nala2012

There is a man in Gort that's not a vet but greyhound people would call him a muscle man. He's really good and people come from all over to see him. He also deals with horses and people! We brought Nelson there with he did his cruciate. All we told him was that he was limping after two minutes looking at him he told us his cruciate was gone and as he couldn't do anything for him he didn't charge anything. Usually when he see's greyhounds he charges ten euro. If you want his number send me a pm!

Tranceypoo

thegreatgonzo wrote: »

Is Athlone too far away for you? There is a physio there. And I think there might be a canine hydrotherapy place in Nenagh but again that's pretty far away.

No Athlone isn't that far from me, about 30 miles I think, if you have the details would you mind PM'ing me?

nala2012 wrote: »

There is a man in Gort that's not a vet but greyhound people would call him a muscle man. He's really good and people come from all over to see him. He also deals with horses and people! We brought Nelson there with he did his cruciate. All we told him was that he was limping after two minutes looking at him he told us his cruciate was gone and as he couldn't do anything for him he didn't charge anything. Usually when he see's greyhounds he charges ten euro. If you want his number send me a pm!

I'll send you a PM on this thanks!

CBFi

Not sure where there is around Galway for Hydrotherapy but there's this one in Sallins, Kildare: http://www.caninecountryclub.ie I dropped in to look at the cattery and saw the pool.

I've heard about that guy in Gort. He's legendary so might be worth visiting.