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Hydrotherapy helps pit bull regain mobility after he was hit by a car

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  • A pit bull who was struck by a car was left with paralyzed hind legs.
  • The dog was given complimentary hydrotherapy sessions by Doggie Paddles.
  • While the dog is now recovering, he is still looking for a forever home.

Nokia first arrived at the Cincinnati Animal CARE facility on October 3. He’d been struck by a car and was unable to use his back legs. His hind legs remained largely immobile even though his overall health improved, so the shelter provided him with a set of doggie wheels to aid him in his mobility. 

After the folks at Doggie Paddles in Florence, Kentucky saw the shelter’s post about rescuing Nokia after his injury, Philip Roe and his wife, Jennifer Weber-Roe, volunteered their services in the form of ten complimentary hydrotherapy sessions on their underwater treadmill.

Cincinnati Animal CARE

Hydrotherapy is an effective treatment that provides support and allows dogs to use their muscles while nerve regeneration or muscular healing occurs, so it’s an effective treatment for hip and spinal injuries. Injuries like these can make weight-bearing exercise difficult, and strain on joints and limbs can worsen some conditions, but with hydrotherapy, dogs can exercise in a low-pressure setting.

According to Jenna Stregowski, RVT and Daily Paws’ pet health and behavior editor: “Underwater treadmills are commonly used in canine rehabilitation therapy as a form of hydrotherapy. They can help dogs build muscle tone and increase range of motion. The water reduces the amount of weight put in the joints so they don’t have to support their own weight, but it also provides resistance to build muscle.”

Cincinnati Animal CARE

However, Weber-Roe admits she was concerned after their first session because Nokia didn’t seem to respond at all. Still, she continued to work with him. After Christmas, Nokia began to stand and be active for short periods, according to Weber-Roe. 

Nokia is now a joyful, active dog who can move around on his own, run, and play fetch without the use of a wheelchair, thanks to the patience and aid of Doggy Paddles, Cincinnati Animal CARE, and volunteers. Weber-Roe believes Nokia is on his way to living a happy, healthy life.

Cincinnati Animal CARE

She explains that they’re just building up the dog’s muscle, but the time will come that Nokia won’t need therapy anymore. Weber-Roe also says the dog is very functional and only needs a little support holding his balance. 

Now that Nokia’s physical recuperation is nearly complete, the next hurdle is to find this sweet boy a forever home. 

Though he has regained use of his legs, he will require a family that can provide him with extra patience and assistance when walking, climbing on and off beds, and moving up and down the stairs. But he’s a sweet, joyful kid who can’t wait to have his own family.

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Source: Daily Paws

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