The first few times Snoopy was in my warm water pool, his back legs just hung there. The next week Snoopy started to move those little legs — it was a very slight movement — but move they did! And with each successive swim, Snoopy’s legs got stronger and stronger and he started kicking his leg like a champ!
Obviously, we do not know Snoopy’s long-term prognosis; we do know that an IDD injury is permanent, and this little boy is likely to have on-going back issues his entire life and may have periodic need for medical care for this disc injury. We can only work with Snoopy in the moment and hope for continued positive progress.
Will this leg movement in water continue over onto solid ground? (I have seen dogs where they can move their back legs in the water, but once on solid ground, they still cannot walk on their back legs. They are in wheelchair but pet parent continues to swim them for the cardio exercise.) I have no reason as to why this happens.)
What about Snoopy? Look for Part 3 of Snoopy’s Story in a few days.
