Best Type Of Exercise For Dog With Hd

[aussielover]

Enquiring on behalf of a friend with a dog with quite bad HD.

What is the best type of exercise for a dog with HD, especially to help strengthen and build up the hip area/muscles?

She was recommended swimming, but unfortunately that is not an option for regular exercise.

Is there any other treatments which may help? I have suggested acupuncture and maybe a dog physio or chiro. Can anyone recommend a good canine chiro or physio, would be great if in or close to the hills district in sydney.

[Rottifan]

Get a good recommended animal chiro to ensure before exercising the dog is in alignment otherwise you will be toning muscles to hold bones out of alignment. Swimming is good but if not possible regularly in between chiro visits I would be doing walking on a lead to keep the exercise constant and controlled to ensure good movement, flat nonslippery surface (eg walking on grass, not sand, not up hills) etc.

[CavsRcute]

I would recommend Helen Nicholson. She is a great animal physio and has been really good with my girl who has HD

I don't have her details with me but I think she goes under the name Animal Physiotherapy Services

[Erny]

Subject to an "ok" by a professional (vet/chiro etc) I think walking in chest height water is one of the best methods to build muscle without pounding the heck out of joints. Problem is that hydro-therapy is very expensive when it is needed regularly and the doggy swimming pools are too deep (I see many dogs barely using their hind legs when in a pool). I took my boy to the beach almost every day for quite a number of weeks when he needed some exercise therapy to build up a weaker hind end. It involved a lot of travel (45mins each way) and therefore a lot of time, and I had to pick and choose my days carefully to avoid all the off-lead not under effective control dogs, but it really did help. It was beneficial for me too as it meant I was doing the same exercise as my dog - you can really feel it working! lol.

[whippets]

swimming is the best non-weight-bearing exercise for your dog.

[Rappie]

Helen Nicholson is fantastic.

Her website is here - she consults at the Animal Referral Hospital in Homebush, and at Parramatta Veterinary Surgical Specialists.

ETA: I have seen some good results with acupuncture, but I would recommend a veterinary acupuncturist with IVAS certifcation. Swimming is good exercise but can be quite tiring. As a general rule any exercise should be 'moderate' and not result in fatigue. I'd also make sure that other factors like pain relief, maintaning a lean body weight and supporting the joint (through oral supplements and zydax / cartrophen / pentosan injections etc) are taken care of.

Edited February 13, 2011 by Rappie