Vital Feed

This awesome article was sent to us by Jeff VerHoef of Canine Mobility who worked with "Leda" the Bouvier. He was interviewed by Kate Poss, the founder and writer for This is Whidbey.  We've talked about how physical therapy, massage, braces, and anti-knuckling devices can help dogs regain mobility.  Now read Leda's story about overcoming severe arthritis and spinal stroke (FCE).  It may "take a...

How a fit, young Newfoundland injured both knees and had two TPLO surgeries at once - with great success. At just eight months old, Sirius, my Newfoundland, partially tore the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) in her right knee. It was a shock to me, as she came from an excellent breeder, and because my partner and I had been very...

Older dogs and those with injuries or balance issues can have trouble moving around the home, especially on slippery surfaces like tile or wood floors.  Some dogs react to slippery floors by not wanting to get up or walk - they lack confidence and will elect to "stay put" rather than risk slipping.  Pets that are nervous about moving around can become even weaker by...

There are many causes of hind leg weakness in dogs and the exact cause is often difficult to establish – even for veterinarians. Senior dogs often show weakness in their back legs. This usually develops gradually over time. Dogs tend to get aches and pains as they get older – just like we do. Some causes of hind leg weakness...

The excerpt below is from an article by Drs. Gayle Jaeger and Sherman Canapp on carpal and tarsal injuries in dogs first seen in Clean Run Magazine in 2008.  Though it's an older article, it is well-organized and still relevant.  Carpal (front leg wrist) and tarsal (back leg ankle) injuries are common in larger and more active dogs but can occur in any...