Dog with paralyzed back legs gains strength from swimming
I got the greatest phone call this week. A fairly new client [3 weeks swimming 2x a week] has just seen her corgi take steps in her wheelchair. Long history but suffice it to say, several months ago, the dog figured out how to drag her back end rather than using her partly paralyzed back legs. [dogs do what works! and is easiest]. What strength she had went away along with any endurance she had. [use it or loose it]. Well, with the swimming her little back legs kick away so she can work without having to support against gravity, she has gained enough strength that she can now support her weight with the help of the wheelchair. And she is also supporting her weight on land briefly without the chair.
Having increased abdominal strength I am sure has helped too. Swimming is so great because ALL our muscles can work. And the cardio workout can’t be beat.
As opposed to myself, who will float if I’m not supported by the bottom of the pool, most dogs have to swim to keep from going under. So they work very hard. In fact, we have to impose rest on some dogs who are really avid swimmers or endless retrievers. Some of the older dogs learn to paddle along slowly and methodically. They are fun to swim too.
I also just found out that Rigel the Bulldog who has been swimming with Mindy for several months lost not 4, but 9 pounds! Awesome and heart warming, except I think it is possible that I gained them LOL!
Swimmingly yours
Joyce
