Physical Rehabilitation for FCE

The modalities and techniques used are similar to those used for patients with intervertebral disk disease. Rehabilitation techniques vary depending on the location of the lesion and the degree of damage to the spinal cord, depending on the the severity of the condition, the patient may have increased muscle tone and spasticity, or decreased muscle tone and flaccidity. In general, you are looking for a passive range of motion for affected joints. Aquatic therapy and assisted ambulation are early modalities that may be used. Continued assisted sling walking, deep water aquatic therapy, and gait and strength training is performed as the patient improves.

Nonambulatory patients require increased nursing care, including appropriate bladder care, assistance with ade- quate nutrition and fluid intake, and appropriate monitor- ing to ensure cleanliness and comfort. Patients should be repositioned every 4 to 6 hours to prevent sores. A positioning protocol should be initiated immediately. If increased tone to the limb(s) is present, at-risk muscles are placed in elongated positions, Passive range of motion to joints and muscles at risk of developing contracture and adaptive shortening is performed regularly, typically three to six times daily. Passive range of motion or active assisted range of motion and stretching using the body weight and movement of the body in closed-chain activities can be effective. Slow rhythmic bouncing on a therapy ball assists in decreasing hypertonia and allowing for more effective muscle stretch and more normal movement patterns,

If the patient is unable to sit or stand independently, assistance to these positions, with proper joint alignment, should be promptly initiated. Placing the patient over a small therapy ball with the feet still in contact with the floor assists in maintaining a standing position. It is important to provide weight bearing on the affected limbs while maintaining a standing position; weight shifting in functional planes of movement also may be initiated in this position. If working only with the pelvic limbs, the torso and front limbs may be placed on the ball while the pelvic limbs are worked in a weight-bearing position.

Firm, deep pressure through manual contact activates the tactile receptors, neuromuscular proprioceptive path- ways, and sensory awareness. Proper hand placement pro- vides security and support to unstable body segments and may stimulate contraction of the muscles under the hands.

Therapeutic Exercises - Aims, Goals and Exercises:

Phase 1: Initial Weight Support Goals: Appreciable limb tone Weight-bearing in standing with minimal support Minimise limb muscle atrophy Independent urination and defecation

Expected Timeframe Immediate to three to seven days post-injury

Rehabilitation Program

• Therapeutic Exercises
• Assisted standing with support as needed on a stable, high-traction surface (beginning 24 hours post-injury)
• Carry out bicycling movements all joints of pelvic limbs(10-15 reps )
• Aquatic therapy: Underwater Treadmill
• Standing, 3-5 min with personnel assistance in the water as needed
• Flex or reflex exercises for affected limbs (10-15 mins)
• Gentle massage of limb musculature as tolerated
• Bladder expression
• Use of soft bedding with rotation every 4-6 hours to prevent ulcers

Outcome, Assessment, Measures

• Subjective comfort level
• Pelvic (and thoracic, if affected) limb muscle tone
• Thigh circumference
• Degree of support required in standing

Criteria for Movement to Next Phase

• Standing in weight-bearing with minimal support.
• Initial voluntary stepping movement when attempting to walk.

After One to two weeks

• Assisted Standing and weight-shifting/
• Response to Limb activity and voluntary
• Motor post-injury rhythmic stabilisation,
• gradually shifting/rhythmic stabilisation,
• Function decreasing support (e.g. physioball gradually decreasing support effort level
• Unsupported

Goals:

• Length of time standing
• Pain-free activity with bicycling movements all abdomen,
• standing on with full weight,
• joints of pelvic limbs non-slick surface in the unsupported bearing in (10-15 reps )
• bathtub standing.
• Aquatic therapy: Supported swimming with bicycling. Number of
• Minimise limb 2-5 minutes working up to 10 minutes movements all joints of pelvic steps in which muscle with supported standing during breaks limbs.
• Encouraging stepping muscle mass supported turning exercises during standing with
• Flexor reflex exercises for walk positive reinforcement held at various affected limbs (10-15 reps)
• Self-rotation locations (concentrate efforts on the weaker side), encouraging stepping movements towards a reward
• Slow leash walking with sling support
• 5 minutes of encouraging stepping
• Gentle massage of the affected limb
• Gentle massage of hindlimb
• Bladder expression
• Use of soft bedding with rotation every 4-6 hours if not self-rotating

Expected Phase Initial Motor Function to Good Moto Function

Goals:

• Improve awareness of the position of the body during walking activity
• Increase affected limb muscle mass.
• Maintenance of balance during turns and on a moderately unstable surface

Two to four weeks post-injury Rehabilitation Program Therapeutic Exercises

• Assisted Standing and weight-shifting on
• a bi-directional balance board
• bicycling movements in all joints of pelvic limbs
• (10-15 reps)
• Aquatic therapy: Swimming 10-15 minutes with supported standing during breaks.
• Gait patterning on a ground treadmill, 5-10 minutes
• Turning exercises during standing with
• Positive reinforcement held at various locations (concentrate efforts on the weaker side)
• Turning exercises during walking: circles and figure eights 5-10 reps
• Low Cavaletti (horse poles)rails 5-10 reps
• Sit-to-stand exercises 5-10 reps with hindquarters on an elevated surface or with sling support

Caution: Choose only 2-4 exercises per session. Other exercises may be performed as part of a home exercise program. Doing all exercises may result in over-exertion and pain early in the program.

**Hindlimb musculature for contraction 15 min

Therapeutic Exercises**

• Assisted Standing and weight-shifting on a moderately unstable surface
• Slow leash walking with a sling or without sling available 5-10 minutes
• Turning exercises during standing with positive reinforcement held at various locations (concentrate efforts on the weaker side)
• Turning exercises during walking: circles and figure eights 5-10 reps
• Walking across an unstable surface such as a mattress 5-10 reps
• Walking over 5-8 evenly spaced low obstacles 5-10 reps

Caution: Choose only 2-4 exercises per session. Doing all exercises may result in over-exertion and pain early in the program.

Outcome, Assessment, Measures

• Response to activity and subjective pain level
• Length of time with unsupported standing
• Length of time walking in aquatic therapy and on dry land
• Frequency of steps in which appropriate proprioception (awareness of body position) is used
• Height of Cavaletti rails navigated
• Thigh circumference
• Muscle mass

Criteria for Movement to Next Phase

• Consistent strong limb movements at a walk
• Minimal over-exertion with moderate activities

Four to six weeks post-injury

Good motor function with proprioceptive deficits to near normal gait

Goals:

• Consistent proprioception with moderate-to-high- intensity activity
• Affected limb muscle mass approaching normal
• Maintain balance during turns and negotiate obstacles while walking
• Consistent gait patterning in early trotting

Therapeutic Exercises

• Assisted Standing and weight-shifting on a 360-degree balance board
• Aquatic therapy: Swimming 20-30 minutes with supported standing during breaks
• Aquatic therapy: Underwater Treadmill walking, 15-20 minutes
• Gait patterning on a ground treadmill, 5-10 minutes
• Turning exercises during walking: weave poles gradually decreasing in distance 5-10 reps
• Cavaletti rails 10 reps.
• Stair Climbing 1 working up to 5 flights (although I would not suggest this for a Wolfhound puppy, please).
• Sit-to-stand exercises, 5-10 reps

Caution: Choose only 2-4 exercises per session. Doing all exercises may result in lameness and pain early in the program

Therapeutic Exercises

• Assisted Standing and weight-shifting on an unstable surface
• Turning exercises during walking: weave poles gradually decreasing in distance 5-10 reps
• Sit-to-stand exercises, rising from an elevated surface 5-10 reps.
• Leash walking 10-15 min inclines/declines
• Trotting 2-3 minutes over even ground
• Walking across an unstable surface such as a mattress 10-15
• Walking over 5-8 evenly spaced low obstacles 10-15 reps
• Walking in circles - and change direction - doing the same amount of reps in either direction.
• Walking in a figure of eight (8)- and change direction - doing the same amount of reps in either direction.

Caution: Choose only 2-4 exercises per session. Doing all exercises may result in lameness and pain.

Response to activity and subjective pain level

• Length of time with unsupported standing
• Walking endurance
• Tightness of turns in which balance is maintained
• Frequency of steps in which appropriate proprioception is used
• Height of Cavaletti rails navigated
• Thigh, circumference/ muscle mass
• Consistent pelvic limb proprioception at a walk
• Minimal to no over-exertion or pain with extensive activities
• Normal gait patterning at a trot.

If the paw/s are not coming forward, i.e. dragging and foot placement is not firmly placed FCE Boot can help with anti-knuckling correction during exercise sessions: FCE BOOT https://www.ortocanis.com/en/dog-rehabilitation/proprioceptive-corrector.html?

*The information has been provided via a Veterinary Surgeon

The rehabilitation programme should continue until the Wolfhound has stopped growing, around 24 months. Meanwhile, treat as per the instructions in the do's and don't section.

Pneumonia in Irish Wolfhounds

The most crucial thing about pneumonia recovery is catching the symptoms early. 

Please take your Wolfhound to your Vet for any slightest concern or suspicion that your hound may have Pneumonia. 

As an owner, it is crucial to be aware of the vital if not subtle signs of onset because the earlier Pneumonia is recognised, the better the chance our deep-chested hounds have a full recovery. Once an infection develops, it can rapidly travel deep in the lung tissue, becoming tough to control, even if the correct drugs are found.

Sadly there are often incidents of Irish Wolfhounds contracting Pneumonia and not pulling through. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the owners at such a sad time. This is why as an owner, you must jump into action at any sign of an upper respiratory problem and or Kennel Cough.

Wolfhounds are unique in their presentation of Pneumonia. They may have a normal temperature, and their lungs may appear clear on x-ray for several days after the dog first shows signs of illness. There have been a number of cases of Vets misdiagnosing Pneumonia as heart failure. If your Wolfhound has clear lungs, does not have a raised temperature, but does have atrial fibrillation, some Vets will put the difficulty in breathing down to heart failure and treat that, not Pneumonia.

Pneumonia can 'appear' staggeringly quickly. 

Some things to look out for in your hound:

• Sudden onset.

• Difficulties in breathing.

• Head lowered and stretched forward level with the back, neck extended to expand the airway as much as possible.

• Reluctance/unable to lie on its side.

• May or may not be coughing.

• The temperature may be very high – but a normal temperature does not necessarily preclude a diagnosis of Pneumonia.

• Lungs may appear clear on x-ray.

• There have been cases of Pneumonia in wolfhounds following a lungworm infection.

Treating Pneumonia

URGENTLY- if there is any doubt, treat with the antibiotics first, and argue later – do not take a wait-and-see attitude. Every Vet has their preferences of which antibiotics to administer according to the dog's requirements. 

• Most Vets will want to administer an antibiotic intravenously, as it is important to hit it hard and fast.

• Fluids intravenously should be considered – this is vital for most wolfhounds (unless there are heart issues). Fluids are always a priority.

• Drug treatment needs to continue for at least 4 To 6 weeks.

• Steam and coupage can assist in moving the congestion from the lungs. Our Vet gives us Salbutamol in addition to a/b's as it relaxes the muscles in the airways and makes breathing easier, and they are more comfortable. Some vets may or may not prescribe it, but I have only had good outcomes.

• If your Wolfhound has had Pneumonia, it is more likely to have it again.

Summary

1. Research shows that outcomes vary and depend on how quickly you as the owner respond/notice your dog is poorly and the actions of your Vet. The sooner you recognise the problem, the sooner you have your dog treated, and the better the outcome. In addition, aftercare at home is vital.

2. As an owner, it is crucial to be aware of the vital if not subtle signs of onset because the earlier Pneumonia is recognised, the better the chance our deep-chested hounds have a full recovery. Once an infection develops, it can rapidly travel deep in the lung tissue, becoming tough to control, even if the correct drugs are found.

3. The most critical thing about pneumonia recovery is catching the symptoms early. So any slightest concern or suspicion that your hound may have Pneumonia, then please of straight to your vets.

4. Remember, the thermometer is your friend, but they may have a normal temperature, and their lungs may appear clear on x-rays.

5. There have been a number of cases of Vets misdiagnosing Pneumonia as heart failure. If your Wolfhound has clear lungs, does not have a raised temperature, but does have atrial fibrillation, some Vets will put the difficulty in breathing down to heart failure and treat that, not Pneumonia.

6. I have known vets dismiss a slight crackle in the upper respiratory when heard by stethoscope - don't let this happen; ask if even a slight crackle can be heard on examination. Our hounds are like no other, and what could be construed as a simple infection or a slight bout of Kennel Cough suddenly develops into full-blown Pneumonia.

7. In addition, keep your lungworm protocols up to date and heart test yearly.

Any suggestions made here are based purely on personal experience. It is the owner's responsibility to decide on any course of action they take with their hound, and we strongly recommend that this be done in conjunction with your Vet.

SUGGEST TO YOUR VET: 

The choice of drugs will be down to your Vet, and new drugs are tried and used. It is best if your Vet doubles up and uses a gram-positive and a gram-negative antibiotic. This is usually achieved by combining two antibiotics, and in severe cases, a third antibiotic may even be included in the regime to cover all bases. Your Vet will understand what is meant. Some drugs recommended on the list will be unsuitable for a young hound because they can affect the growth plates and others' fertility. 

They (your vet) read Dr Angela Bodey's paper on Pneumonia in Wolfhounds. 

If your vet is in any doubt what so ever please contact:

Mark Dunning
MA VetMB PhD CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine
European Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine

Mark has a great understanding of Irish Wolfhounds due to his association with the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingham as Clinical Associate Professor in Small Animal Internal Medicine. Mark remains an active member of the Vet School team, teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Please contact Mark via clicking here.

Food Allergies and Intolerances: Is there any difference?

A variety of dogs suffer from allergies or intolerances, but large sums of pet owners are confused by the difference. The below outlines the difference between pet food allergies and intolerances. Pet Food Allergies A pet food allergy involves the immune system. This can be triggered by a dog’s response to a certain ingredient, such as a protein source. For example, cells may release histamine, which causes itching. Generally, food allergies cause skin-related issues in dogs, such as inflammation, itching, hair loss and hot spots. There is also the possibility they can develop ear infections that can become a reoccurring theme once treatment has ended. A dog that has a food allergy will most likely always suffer from this. However, the severity of this can change over time. A common theme for owners is to assume that itchy skin is caused by a food allergy. However, true food allergies in cats and dogs are very rare, making up for only 1% of all skin diseases in dogs. Pet Food Intolerances A pet food intolerance does not involve the immune system and is caused when a food doesn’t agree with a dog’s body. This is simply a functional or mechanical issue with digesting a particular food. An example of this is a dog may be sensitive to wheat. Intolerances often mimic food allergies because the body can only demonstrate a problem in so many ways. It can be challenging to identify what causes food intolerance. Owners can use an elimination diet to take away ingredients that they believe may be the cause of the problem. This works by removing a suspect ingredient for a minimum of 4 weeks from a dogs diet and then reintroducing the ingredient and wait for a return of any physical changes.

Common ingredients that may cause intolerance’s include grains (i.e wheat and maize), eggs, soya or dairy.

What can pet owners do? If an owner believes that their pet is suffering from a food allergy or intolerance, there is a number of things they can do. Feed hypoallergenic pet food as this helps to avoid common allergens and intolerances Choose a diet with a single protein source such as meat or fish Select a diet with novel ingredients Follow an elimination diet

Here in the Bonaforte Dog Food Shop, our Bonaforte Five Star and Gluten-Free recipes are all hypoallergenic. Each of the recipes has been formulated to be free from common allergens, which may lead to intolerances and sensitivities in pets.

Our Five Star range is rich in amino acids, vitamins and minerals to support everyday health and well-being. Whilst the Gluten Free range has been formulated with sweet potato and potato to be suitable for those with grain intolerance/sensitivity.

Why is my Dog a Picky Eater

From time to time, some dog’s may become “picky eaters”, this could be down to a number of reasons such as being fed table scraps and treats more frequently.

Bonaforte Irish Wolfhound Puppy

Over time this can become a problem for pet owners. There are a few tips to help to stop picky eating such as:

• Training the dog to eat at specific times of the day
• Limiting the number of treats and table scraps they are given
• Keep the food fresh by ensuring the packaging is sealed or closed properly

The Best Ear Cleaner for Dogs we have yet to find

Bonaforte’s Ear Cleaner - we have excellent results with this simple old fashion ear cleaner

Plastic Salad Drizzler with cap - Amazon or Ebay

Bought from any chemist or online as below

• Method
• 10 parts Surgical Spirit
• 2 parts Benzyl Benzoate
• Add to salad sizzler and shake.
• A good quirt in the ears, and rub the ear gently.
• Take a wipe such as an organic TeaTree wipe, or a soft, clean cloth, or not so fluffy cotton wool, a cotton wool pad, is better, and clean out the ear.
• Repeat Daily until ear is clean
• Repeat monthly to keep ears clean.

Can be found at Hyperdrug online or Amazon

Keeps ears clean, gets into those awkward narrow ear canals, cleans out wax, keeping infection and mites at bay.

Fresh Pet Food, the way forward…

It’s no coincidence that fresh food is a growing segment; a lot of this is due to the fact that consumers are shifting towards having fresh food on their own plates. The term “Fresh” has been a significant draw for the human food market, but it is now also becoming a prominent feature in pet food. Research has shown that 77% of people have taken a closer look than ever before at their own health and wellness in the midst of an ongoing pandemic. The Influence on pet food A recent study showed that there were behavioural shifts in human food, such as: An increase in focus on gut health and immune function A key interest in weight management A better balance between emotional wellbeing and nutrition A shift in shopping values with a plan to purchase more items related to health and wellness When looking at the pet food market, it is clear that there is a correlation between pet and human food trends. The role of humanisation in pet food has seen consumers focus more on the health and wellbeing of their pets. Gut health and immune function are growing factors for consumers, whilst preventing obesity is also a key influence when choosing what type of they would like to feed their pet. The term “Fresh” is gaining traction as consumers associate this with other words such as minimal processing, natural and whole foods. All of these terms are associated with “healthy” in a consumers mind. This means that the idea of “fresh” in pet foods is only going to grow, which provides a fantastic opportunity for you as partners.

Here at Bonaforte, all of our ingredients are responsibly sourced from people we know and trust. Meat is cooked at a gentle 82 degrees C temperature, keeping in the freshness and protecting the proteins while adding other ingredients such as sweet potato and superfoods.

Raw vs Kibble

I often get asked what the difference is between Kibble and Raw Feeding. Having fed both in the kennel over time, I have found that we have received a better healthier balance feeding our own brand kibble. Firstly there was a noticeable improvement in the cognitive behaviour of the dogs; they worked more like a pack, and their approach is that of calm. There was also less fighting for food, as the kibble sates their needs over a longer time span. Secondly and remarkablely so the bitches suddenly became more fertile, litters grew in size, and the bitches were calmer and more comfortable in whelp. We ensured that the whelping bitches have access to the Mother and Baby starter food in addition to their adult food. Mothers are incredibly content on this gaining the right puppy growth weight balance and ensuring they are fit and healthy to carry to term, exercise and have an active whelp.

With the introduction of the Mother and Baby kibble, we have found a complete balance, which we carry on feeding to the puppies and Mum until she regains her pre whelp condition. We now enjoy watching a rounded monitored growth of our large breed puppies, without upsetting their digestion, continuing to feed the complete balance puppy kibble until the youngsters reach the age of two years. We introduce a mixture of puppy and adult food as they develope to help with their growth spurts, and provide the nutrition required during this period.

We have found that we don't have any skin or coat issues, and allergies and sensitivities are a thing of the past. We are also of the opinion that the balanced nutritious diet has been a key factor in the improved heart health of our Irish Wolfhounds.

Raw pet food can be purchased as a complete diet, but many owners choose to feed homemade raw as they believe it is better for their pets. Studies show that 95% of homemade diets were deficient in at least one essential nutrient, and 84% were lacking in multiple nutrients (PFMA, 2020). Dodd et al. (2019), carried out a nutrient analysis of a homemade diet and the impact that this diet had when fed to a puppy. The results of the study show that the diet was deficient in many nutrients as well as an incorrect balance of calcium and phosphorus which resulted in poor skeletal development. Our Bonaforte puppy recipes have been specifically formulated with the appropriate levels of protein, calcium & phosphorus to ensure healthy growth and development.

Not only has it been identified that there is a risk to pet health from feeding homemade raw diets if they are not nutritionally balanced for the specific species and life stage it has also been identified that there is a risk to human health. When feeding a raw diet, the risk of infection from bacteria is increased as both the pet and their owner can be directly exposed to foodborne pathogens. A study looked at 35 commercial raw pet foods and examined the products for contaminants such as salmonella, listeria and E.coli. The study reported that over half of the raw food that tested was positive for at least one contaminant (Bree et al., 2018). The study concludes by stating that dry pet food is a safer option for pets and owners alike.

It is not always easy to make a direct comparison between raw and kibble because of the difference in the physical state; therefore it is important to calculate any values on the same “Dry Matter Basis”. Dry Matter refers to material that remains after the removal of water. The below tables compare the nutritional content of various raw diets to Bonaforte's Five Star Duck Recipe on an “As fed basis” as well as on a “100% Dry Matter Basis”. By converting both products to the same dry matter the Analytical Constituents can be compared equally.

Analytical Constituents on an “as-fed basis”

Analytical Constituents on 100% Dry Matter Basis

There are many different formats of pet food on the market which can sometimes make it hard to decide what is best to feed to pets. Some I have to agree are rubbish, producing all kinds of issues with digestion and sensitivities, which perhaps is the reason why some turn to Raw feeding, as a good nutritious kibble can be expensive, but it should not be about cost. The most important message is that the quality of pet food should be measured on the contents of the food rather than the format that it is fed in. All of our complete pet foods are formulated to meet the pet’s nutritional requirements in line with the FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines. The technology used cooks raw meat gently to protect proteins which provide higher nutrient bio-availability and digestibility.

The role of antioxidants in the Bonaforte's 5 Star Range

Our Bonaforte's 5 Star Range contain a fantastic selection of ingredients including vegetable ingredients that naturally produce antioxidants to help aid a dogs health and reduce oxidation stress on the body.

It is a common theme to hear that antioxidants have many benefits, with many health-related pet foods, marketed as having antioxidant properties.

What are antioxidants? Antioxidants are chemicals found in many fruits and plants that offer several health benefits to the body. They help to eliminate harmful chemicals in the blood but also reduce oxidation (gain of oxygen) of the blood, which leads to better circulation, more energy and less fatigue in the muscles.

Why does a dog need antioxidants? As dogs are mammals, they are prone to the same kind of oxidative damage and stress as humans, which can lead to feeling weak and drowsy. Oxidative stress on a dogs body can result in weakening on the immune system and decreasing the absorption of healthy nutrients into the blood.