Meet Baloo
Baloo is a 2 year old Blue Tick Hound who was surrendered to Noah’s Hope Animal Rescue when he was only 6 weeks old after his owner had taken him to be euthanized at a local facility.
Baloo was not able to walk like a “normal” dog and due to this was not developing like he should. He had a 90 degree flexion contracture in his left front leg and therefore was not using it for any weight bearing activities. His right front was fully functional but he really was not using it during walking for more than a balance aid. His hind legs were kept in a flexed position and he hopped like a bunny.
Noah’s Hope contacted me shortly after they took him in to see if therapy would help him.
Baloo required a daily regimen of stretching, range of motion and massage before getting started with therapeutic exercises. Even though some of the stretches to his left front leg were a little painful for Baloo, he seemed to understand that they were being done to help him and was a hard worker.
A hot tub was available for Baloo’s aqua therapy and it was quickly discovered that due to Baloo’s odd development he was not able to keep his head above water and theraband was used to assist him with keeping his head out of the water.
Baloo also worked on exercises that were geared to help him develop more “normally” and trying to get him to weight bear to all four limbs. He strengthened his core, which improved his success with weight bearing.
As he grew and completed therapy, his left leg straightened out and grew along with the rest of his body. If he had not started therapy as young as he did, he most likely would never have used that left front leg and it would have become smaller and smaller. He now is able to run and play with his housemate, Gracie, and is the picture of a happy and healthy dog.
His start in this world was not a good one and if Noah’s Hope had not stepped in, his time on this earth would have been very brief. He was adopted by an amazing couple that are giving him a life he would not have with any other family. What a lucky dog he is!
