How does his gait look?

[Sunflowers]

Originally Posted by carmspack

comfortable stand , take that front leg, cupping the elbow with your palm and push gently , slowly up , slightly rocking so stretch, release (a bit) stretch more, release a bit - two inches forward , one inch back just to give you an idea of the degrees at which you are moving back and forth . Do this till you feel tightness, just go back to the just before , hold , and then rock that arm forward in little stretches. Then you are going to reverse . Instead of that front leg extending out you are going to slowly draw it backwards trying to get that elbow as high (back) as it will go. Do this all the way around, including the rear.
For muscular tension over the back , have dog stand, take index of right and left and feel the muscular band just under the spine , press in lightly , both sides simultaneously , go down entire body moving along in 4 inch progressions .

OK, I just did this and not only did he allow me to stretch his front legs, but I think it felt good to him, because after I did it he gave me his paw again, LOL.
I noticed when pushing back that his left side goes back significantly less, and feels tighter, than his right.

I am wondering if this has to do with the shoulder strain he had when he was younger, and if he remained stiff because of it.
Spine massage -- I thought the reverse, the right side felt tighter than the left.
Looks as if I need to take him out of the gym and do the doggie spa thing.

I have Dasuquin the vet prescribed about two months ago, because I told him he seemed to be walking stiffly when on walks. I never gave it to Hans because we had the stomach thing going on.
Should I?

[Sunflowers]

OK-- moved the bar back, did 5 minutes total, 1 min at a trot.
He actually seemed happy!
What do you think?

You Tube

You Tube

[carmspack]

Hey ! what can I say ! that is nice !!! a good co-ordinated trot . See what you can learn about your animal. It isn't always medication--- often the opposite side will be tense because the body is compensating making the good side work harder to take the pressure off the hurt side.

yeah. confetti, balloons, noise makers !!!

[Sunflowers]

Carmen, thank you so very, very much. Woohoo!
Moving the bar back was genius.

I will continue with the stretching, massage and short sessions.
Thank goodness for this forum and the people who generously give their time and share their expertise.

[Kyleigh]

Just read this whole thread, and while I certainly don't have anywhere near the experience / expertise that Carmspack has ... what a wonderful "ending" to this thread!!!

This is the MAIN reason I love this forum ... (besides all the wonderful pics and funny stories!)

From just a "poster" on here, I give a huge thanks to Carmspack for her expertise!!! Nice to know there are people out "there" that can help if / when I ever need it!!!

[Sunflowers]

Yeah-- and keep us new people from making operator errors