240 Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
Core strengthening exercises
Beg/sit pretty. While sitting on a firm, nonslip
surface, food is used to lure the dog onto its
haunches with the thoracic limbs in the air
(Figure 10.17A). Once the dog can stay in
this position for 15 seconds, rhythmic then
nonrhythmic perturbations can be applied
by moving the treat from side to side or by
pushing on the back, shoulders, or chest to
place the dog off‐balance (Figure 10.17B).metacarpophalangeal joint. VD, lateral, and oblique
radiographs showed arthritic changes in the metacar-
pophalangeal joints of P2 and P5 on both front feet,
the distal interphalangeal joint of P2 of the right front
foot, and degenerative changes of the palmar sesa-
moid of P2 of the left front foot (Figure 10.16).Recommendations
● Three weeks rest, with two 10‐minute on‐leash
walks per day to maintain condition but no train-
ing or competition. Gradually increased exercise
thereafter.
● Rehabilitation consisting of focused high‐energy
sound wave (shock wave) therapy, laser, joint mobi-
lizations, and at‐home passive range of motion.
● Heat and massage treatments daily with 30 min-
utes rest afterward.● Rx: NSAIDs for 10 days then as needed before
and after periods of intense training and competi-
tion, supplementation with joint‐protective nutra-
ceuticals for remainder of life.
● Train and compete only at venues with appropri-
ate footing. Train at full jump height only 30% of
the time. Remainder of the time train at 50% to
full jump heights.Outcome: The patient showed no evidence of lame-
ness after the first week of therapy. By 4 weeks after
diagnosis, the swellings in the feet had reduced in
size by about 50% and the patient was much more
active. The client elected to train and compete with
the dog only minimally because of her own lack of
mobility, and the dog remained comfortable for the
rest of his life (he lived to age 14 years).Figure 10.16 VD, lateral and oblique radiographs showing arthritic changes in the metacarpophalangeal joints
of P2 and P5 on both front feet and the distal interphalangeal joint of P2 of the right front foot and degenerative
changes of the palmar sesamoid of P2 of the left front foot.