Izzy’s story began long before she came to us. She was rescued from a difficult background — underweight, neglected, and having already raised a litter despite her young age. Even after joining our family and blossoming into a confident, deeply loved dog, we always sensed something wasn’t quite right with the way she moved. Izzy had an unusual, rocking-horse gait and a long-standing “bunny hop” run. Our local vets weren’t overly concerned as she remained active and happy, so we managed it with gentle exercise and careful monitoring.
Over time, though, we noticed something interesting: whenever Izzy needed anti-inflammatories for unrelated issues, she became brighter, more energetic, and more mobile. That improvement made us wonder whether there was more going on beneath the surface.
Working together with our local vets, we began exploring possible causes. Initial X-rays showed some spondylosis but didn’t fully explain her long-standing gait abnormalities. Wanting to be thorough, our vets referred us to their visiting orthopaedic surgeon, who identified subtle neurological signs and recommended advanced imaging and specialist review at SASH Adelaide.
At SASH, everything finally made sense. Their team took the time to understand Izzy’s history, her unique gait, and the improvements we had seen with medication. A CT scan confirmed the underlying issue: lumbosacral foraminal stenosis, a condition where the nerves exiting the spine are narrowed and intermittently compressed. For the first time, we had a diagnosis that tied together her gait, her discomfort, and her response to treatment.
The specialists at SASH provided a clear, compassionate treatment plan tailored to Izzy’s needs. With targeted medical management and ongoing support from our regular vets, Izzy is now more comfortable and better supported than ever. We finally understand what she has been living with and how to help her move forward.
Izzy’s life hasn’t always been easy, but thanks to SASH and the collaborative care of everyone involved her future is brighter, more comfortable, and full of the love she has always deserved.
– Adelaide SA
