Meet Kifi, a 7-year-old Kelpie, who’s now a regular at the SASH Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation department. She loves nothing more than chasing her ball and getting cuddles from her mum.
Kifi was referred to Dr Naomi Boyd, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Veterinarian by her local vet after having X-rays and being diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia. That’s when the the ball of the thigh bone doesn’t fit neatly into the socket of the hip, and can be quite painful. Being a Kelpie, Kifi was always on the go and loved to run. But it left her feeling uncomfortable and made it difficult for her to get out of bed.
Dr Naomi examined Kifi and started her on a program consisting of physio, hydrotherapy, and laser therapy, all of which improves muscle mass and hip function.
Fast forward 6 weeks from Kifi’s intial consult, Dr Naomi was super impressed with Kifi’s improvements in her hind legs muscles, and how comfortable she now seemed.
Although Kifi needs to take it easy with chasing ball at the park, she has found her new love of chasing ball in hydrotherapy, which is now part of her weekly treatment. She also continues to receive laser and massage therapy during the colder months to keep her comfortable.
Her treatments have been hugely successful – Kifi’s mum can notices a big change in Kifi’s mobility if she misses a week of hydrotherapy. All of the SASH rehab team love Kifi’s visits and we think if Kifi could speak she would say Tuesday is her favourite day of the week as it’s hydro day!
