Case Study 4 - Barni

Read below Anne’s experience with the lovely Barni.

‘Barni is a  Labrador aged 9.  Fit and healthy other than ear infections throughout his life now under control and a seizure which luckily so far an isolated  episode.  

After a walk one day he started to limp a little, we thought he had just strained his wrist climbing up the river bank. We did the usual resting, heat /ice but it seemed to be getting worse.  He seemed ok out walking although we were only doing lead controlled short walks, but after resting and getting up he was limping quite badly.  He was also starting to put on weight which wasn’t helping due to the lack of exercise. After a vet visit who said straight away it was arthritis and suggested Librela injections, I really didn’t want to go down this path so went to an alternative vet for a second opinion.  Advised to have an x-ray to see what we were dealing with and confirmed slight arthritis in his one elbow. Suggested several different treatments and recommended stem cell treatment which we had done, alongside this physiotherapy was suggested.  

Lily has worked with Barni throughout using massage, laser treatments and an exercise plan.  We have laughed as he will suddenly get up mid treatment and walk away as if to say enough! Now obviously feeling better he struggles to keep still for his treatment, he’s better when mum leaves the room!  It has taken almost three months for Barni to now be limp  free and seemingly pain free, almost walking the same distance as before. We have built up slowly his walking times, introducing off lead roams, still being cautious and not letting him go too mad, with the ground being so wet and slippy.  We have managed to reduce sessions to fortnightly hoping to reduce even further in the not too distant future.

We really believe physiotherapy and the laser treatments have helped so much with his recovery, along with the exercises which he mostly enjoys as he gets  treats……. Barni loves his food!’