At just 10 months old, Studley came to see us after his family noticed he was showing signs of back, hip and hind-limb discomfort. X-rays thankfully ruled out any bony changes, and his vet suspects a muscular origin — something we see in many fast-growing, enthusiastic young dogs.
During his initial assessment, Studley showed:
- A roached back posture
- Tightness through his hind end (especially the right gracilis)
- Shortened stride length on all four limbs
- A tendency to avoid weight-bearing behind
But with a tailored rehab plan… he’s already making fantastic progress! 🙌
We began with physiotherapy, gentle strengthening exercises at home, and controlled underwater treadmill work to improve gait, build hind-limb strength, and encourage even movement.
And now… onto the pool!🏊♂💦
As you’ll see in the video — Studley absolutely smashed his first proper swim! After a little hesitation, he settled beautifully, started swimming confidently, and even came off the ramp all by himself by the end.
Next steps for Studley:
- Continue improving hind-limb strength
- Encourage a smoother, more even 4-beat gait
- Build confidence in both treadmill and pool
- Avoid sharp twists/ball play while he grows
You’re doing brilliantly, Studley — keep it up, big fluffy lad! 💛🐶
If your young dog is showing stiffness, uneven movement or discomfort, early intervention makes a huge difference.
📍 Vet Rehab NI – Dundonald & East Belfast
📞 07760 668916