A paralysed dog has made an amazing recovery – thanks to swimming lessons.
Bear, a six-year-old Rottweiler, was left unable to walk after falling down the stairs last November.
Owner Katherine Lanson, 49, was warned his injuries were so severe he might have to be put to sleep. But Katherine, from Chorlton, refused to give up and another vet diagnosed compression of the spinal cord.
She discovered hydrotherapy could help and took Bear for weekly swimming sessions at hydrotherapy pool for dogs at boarding kennels Mypetstop in Denton.
Now, almost a year on, he is able to walk again.
Katherine said: “We were told to have Bear put to sleep. We consulted another vet to get a second opinion. They were able to put a name to Bear’s condition and gave him some treatment. I looked on the internet to see what else we could do to help him and that’s where I found out about the hydrotherapy services.”
Katherine added: “I’m so proud of Bear, he’s shown tremendous character. We’re so thankful to the team who have been amazing from day one and have played a huge part in his recovery. Give it another few months in the pool and I’m sure he’ll be running.” Carol Anderson, from Mypetstop said: “It’s absolutely fantastic and we’re all so thrilled for Katherine.”
Hydrotherapist Lisa Holland said: : “Aside from helping dogs recover from injuries, swimming is a superb, low-impact exercise for dogs, just like it is for us. Not only does it increase a dog's flexibility, it also helps build up their strength.”
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Wish I could take Bear to my local pool for a swim, he's cute, and at the same time, well, no one would spalsh water in his face!
Such a nice story! Nice to read about caring pet owners for a change!
Bear is very cute too!
Bear is a beautiful creature! - it's nice to see a Rottweiler enjoying positive press for a change as well.
So many horrid stories about rottweillers,this makes such a lovely change.So nice also to see an owner who would not give up on her beloved dog.
Top Dog!
Thanks for all the nice comments, nice to see people who care about animals as much as i do.Many thanks. Katherine Lanson.
About 12 years ago I had a German Shep who was really old and got arthritis in his spine, it got so bad he couldnt walk anymore so we had to put him down, it was horrible! I now have another German shep who we have had since he was 8 weeks old, he is now 13 and also has arthritis and is showing similar problems to the first German Shep, i know we will probably have to go through the same heart ache soon :(
Nice story Bear even looks like hes enjoying it. Perhaps hes had a wee wee in the pool and not letting on !!!!!!
The hydrotherapy staff at MyPretStop Denton are superb. They are devoted to the dogs they look after and their efforts show in the result that has been achieved with the gorgeous Bear.
So I would like to praise Katherine Lanson for her decision to help Bear rather than put him to sleep, Lisa and all the staff at MyPetStop for their commitment to help Katherine and Bear and Bear himself for his hard work and proving that you should not just give up because you have been told there is no hope.