Abby's treatment

You have now already met Abby, but what a lot of you don't know, is that Abby, according to our vet here in Germany, has the "crappiest hips she has ever seen!" Abby has hip dysplasia as well as arthritis and lately, as she walks, her right hip tends to dislocate resulting in chronic pain as the ball slips in and out of the joint, allowing for a perfect breeding ground for arthritis!! Despite this, and probably because of the constant pain which she has grown up with, she does not know any better, and is always the sweetest, most loveable, most playful, most wonderful "puppy" ever!

Our vet has recommended that we do not subject her to any operation and that we merely manage her pain and try to keep her comfortable but also keep her exercising in order to keep her muscles strong. She is on a fairly strong tablet and takes one every 3 months as it's also a long lasting pain killer. We go for walks every day, but they have become shorter now as we stop and rest, sometimes we sit down and just watch people passing by, before we continue our walk around the block!

Recently our vet recommended that I buy a TENS machine and use this 3 x per week, in order to manage the pain! Initially I did not think that Abby would allow me to connect these electrodes to her but she lies there, totally comfortable and as if she somehow "knows" that this is something which is good for her, and will give her some relief!!

I try to make the experience as pleasant as possible, as I sit next to her, with my one hand constantly on her leg for reassurance and with the other hand, I pass her little dried chicken snacks, which she eats with great gusto while having her treatment! Once the 15 min treatment is over, she gets a few more snacks, a bowl of tea which she loves, and to wash down her snacks, and then she sleeps for a few hours, before we go out for our walk!!

Till tomorrow!
Stay safe!
xoxo