Since discovering The Dog Wellness Centre every step Jerry takes is a step in the right direction.
Hello happy hips!
It all started with a single step… and since discovering The Dog Wellness Centre, we haven’t looked back.
We first discovered Jerry’s hip issues after a play at the park. He pulled up lame and couldn't put weight on his left leg. The reason? Hip dysplasia. Apparently one of the worst cases the vet had ever seen! So with hip replacement surgery looming, we were desperate to find an alternative that would enable him to live his best life without going under the knife!
To protect his hip and reduce the pain, we cut back on a lot of the activities we loved to do – long walks, running in the park, days in at the office (including lots of stairs!). But there’s no suppressing that Labrador enthusiasm when the mood takes over! So he’d run around at a million miles an hour, set off on his walks with the enthusiasm of a pup, and delight us with regular ‘zoomies’ which always favoured his ‘good’ hip (as a true ‘Zoolander’ of the lab world, he couldn't turn left!). Yet once the adrenaline subsided, the reality would be clear. He’d ‘bunny hop’ along, and need a boost to get into the car, onto the couch and into bed. The prospect of surgery inched closer every day.
Then we discovered The Dog Wellness Centre and life changed for the better.
After a thorough consultation where Pearl put Jerry through his paces, we came up with a plan: drop a couple of kilograms (mission accomplished!) and focus on strengthening his back and hind leg muscles which had become incredibly weak on the left side. We started physio, a little dry needling and commenced a ‘happy hip’ puppy Pilates program tailored to his very unique needs. Then we made our way into the hydrotherapy room to kick off his endurance fitness regime… and that’s when amazing things started to happen. Who knew an underwater treadmill could be so much fun!
We’ve been working together for a while now and the improvement has literally been incredible. His booty is looking mighty fine and he’s feeling strong! To supplement our weekly visits to Pearl, he swims in the bay every week and is back to taking longer walks. But best of all, surgery as an option is now well and truly off the table.
It’s been a remarkable journey to wellness for Jerry. We know his dodgy hip will never get back to what it was – that’s the reality of hip dysplasia – but Jerry is fit and as happy as he’s ever been. And it’s all thanks to Pearl and her amazing Dog Wellness Centre.
Jerry
