Client Page - Mango

Mango's Story

In the summer of 2004, my ten year old dog, Mango (Lab/Newfoundland weighing 85lbs) started to show signs of slowing down after long walks. The veterinarian recommended Glucosamine, MSM, and Chondroitin for his hips. In December of that year, Mango began to show signs of discomfort in his left hind leg and hip. Within three weeks he had an extremely difficult time rising, he couldn't bear weight on his left leg, he bunny hopped when going down stairs or when trying to move quickly, and he couldn't extend his legs and stretch. He also showed signs of incontinence, and licked himself constantly. Needless to say he was in severe pain and definitely not himself.

I made an appointment for Mango to have a physical exam and hip x-rays. The results were much worse than the vet and I had expected. When the vet looked at the x-ray of Mango's right hip he couldn't believe how arthritic it was and the left hip was much worse. Mango's left hip was almost dislocated with severe arthritis.

The veterinarian explained that the only thing that would fix the problem would be a total hip replacement. However, there were other alternative treatments that he thought we should try before doing the hip replacement. Because Mango has hypothyroidism and has kidney and liver issues, the veterinarian did not recommend the conventional "hip dysplasia" drugs, such as Metacam and Rimadyl. The three alternative treatments were:

Cartrophen injections - these injections help build up the synovial fluid in joints
Zeel by Heel - a homeopathic medication for arthritic degeneration, stiffness and pain. (The side effects are very minor compared with Metacam or Rimadyl).
K9 Hydrotherapy at K9 Common Scents - this was to help rebuild lost muscle in Mango's hind thighs and help keep his front legs and shoulders strong to carry the burden of his back end.

After the appointment, I went home and cried. I really thought that Mango's life was nearing the end. I really didn't want to put Mango through two hip replacements so I decided to try the alternative treatments. Each hip replacement would have required surgery and then no exercise for 2 months, including 2 months in between each surgery. I'm sure that these months would have seemed like forever to my 10 year old Mango.

In January, we started the cartrophen injections on a weekly basis. I was anxiously awaiting the opening of the K9 Common Scents K9 assisted swim pool in March. By the fourth cartrophen injection, which was in the beginning of February, I noticed a considerable change. Mango was now able to bear weight on his left leg, so we decreased the frequency of his injections to every 2 weeks.

Just after Mango's seventh cartrophen injection in March, K9 Common Scents opened their assisted swim pool. We went to our first session and met Alex and Patty. After they took note of Mango's history he began his first session. I was a little apprehensive that Mango wouldn't get in the pool since he had never gone swimming before. With a little coaxing we got him in the pool and swimming. Alex was very surprised at how little Mango was able to use his hind legs, because he didn't display this same weakness when walking

Mango has only had 5 sessions and we (myself, Alex, Patty and Nancy) can't believe the amazing improvements. I have noticed his left thigh muscle is big and strong like it was before it atrophied, he walks normally and puts pressure on his left foot, he wakes up every morning with tons of energy and runs out the door to play with his ball, he can stretch his back and front legs, he is no longer showing signs of incontinence and doesn't lick himself anymore. After he has been lying down for a period of time he can get his hind legs moving again much quicker, and overall he just seems so much more relaxed and happy.

Mango still doesn't absolutely love getting in the pool or swimming, but he definitely loves the constant encouragement and attention. When we arrive at K9 Common Scents, I change into pool worthy clothes so I don't have to leave there soaking wet. When I'm changing, Mango walks himself into the pool room and goes up the ramp towards the pool - this is confirmation that the whole swim thing isn't so bad.

I would definitely recommend K9 Common Scents to anyone whose dog would benefit from K9 assisted swim. Even though we live 60 kilometres away, it is well worth the weekly trips. Six months ago I thought that Mango's life was nearing the end. Now I believe that he's stronger, both mentally and physically, than he has been in years. Thanks Alex, Patty, and Nancy for increasing Mango's quality of life.

Sincerely

Elana and Mango

Mango \| Hershey \| Carl
Mango's Story
In the summer of 2004, my ten year old dog, Mango (Lab/Newfoundland weighing 85lbs) started to show signs of slowing down after long walks. The veterinarian recommended Glucosamine, MSM, and Chondroitin for his hips. In December of that year, Mango began to show signs of discomfort in his left hind leg and hip. Within three weeks he had an extremely difficult time rising, he couldn't bear weight on his left leg, he bunny hopped when going down stairs or when trying to move quickly, and he couldn't extend his legs and stretch. He also showed signs of incontinence, and licked himself constantly. Needless to say he was in severe pain and definitely not himself.
I made an appointment for Mango to have a physical exam and hip x-rays. The results were much worse than the vet and I had expected. When the vet looked at the x-ray of Mango's right hip he couldn't believe how arthritic it was and the left hip was much worse. Mango's left hip was almost dislocated with severe arthritis. The veterinarian explained that the only thing that would fix the problem would be a total hip replacement. However, there were other alternative treatments that he thought we should try before doing the hip replacement. Because Mango has hypothyroidism and has kidney and liver issues, the veterinarian did not recommend the conventional "hip dysplasia" drugs, such as Metacam and Rimadyl. The three alternative treatments were: Cartrophen injections - these injections help build up the synovial fluid in joints Zeel by Heel - a homeopathic medication for arthritic degeneration, stiffness and pain. (The side effects are very minor compared with Metacam or Rimadyl). K9 Hydrotherapy at K9 Common Scents - this was to help rebuild lost muscle in Mango's hind thighs and help keep his front legs and shoulders strong to carry the burden of his back end.
After the appointment, I went home and cried. I really thought that Mango's life was nearing the end. I really didn't want to put Mango through two hip replacements so I decided to try the alternative treatments. Each hip replacement would have required surgery and then no exercise for 2 months, including 2 months in between each surgery. I'm sure that these months would have seemed like forever to my 10 year old Mango. In January, we started the cartrophen injections on a weekly basis. I was anxiously awaiting the opening of the K9 Common Scents K9 assisted swim pool in March. By the fourth cartrophen injection, which was in the beginning of February, I noticed a considerable change. Mango was now able to bear weight on his left leg, so we decreased the frequency of his injections to every 2 weeks.
	Just after Mango's seventh cartrophen injection in March, K9 Common Scents opened their assisted swim pool. We went to our first session and met Alex and Patty. After they took note of Mango's history he began his first session. I was a little apprehensive that Mango wouldn't get in the pool since he had never gone swimming before. With a little coaxing we got him in the pool and swimming. Alex was very surprised at how little Mango was able to use his hind legs, because he didn't display this same weakness when walking
Mango has only had 5 sessions and we (myself, Alex, Patty and Nancy) can't believe the amazing improvements. I have noticed his left thigh muscle is big and strong like it was before it atrophied, he walks normally and puts pressure on his left foot, he wakes up every morning with tons of energy and runs out the door to play with his ball, he can stretch his back and front legs, he is no longer showing signs of incontinence and doesn't lick himself anymore. After he has been lying down for a period of time he can get his hind legs moving again much quicker, and overall he just seems so much more relaxed and happy. Mango still doesn't absolutely love getting in the pool or swimming, but he definitely loves the constant encouragement and attention. When we arrive at K9 Common Scents, I change into pool worthy clothes so I don't have to leave there soaking wet. When I'm changing, Mango walks himself into the pool room and goes up the ramp towards the pool - this is confirmation that the whole swim thing isn't so bad. I would definitely recommend K9 Common Scents to anyone whose dog would benefit from K9 assisted swim. Even though we live 60 kilometres away, it is well worth the weekly trips. Six months ago I thought that Mango's life was nearing the end. Now I believe that he's stronger, both mentally and physically, than he has been in years. Thanks Alex, Patty, and Nancy for increasing Mango's quality of life. Sincerely Elana and Mango