Barney's first hydrotherapy session was scheduled for March 15th, but when he showed up for his appointment, the doctors saw that Barney's demodectic mange had returned. This is the non-contagious form of mange that appears from time to time in dogs that have undergone great stress (emotional, physical and nutritional stress).

Unfortunately, the salts that are in the therapeutic bath of the hydrotherapy tank would have aggravated Barney's skin while the mange was still present. We had hoped that Barney's immune system would be able to fight this mange without the medical protocol, but while 90% of the mange had gone away, some areas of Barney's skin were still affected.

Barney is now undergoing the ivermectin treatment for mange and it should be cleared up within 2 to 3 weeks. Then Barney will finally be able to swim in the tank and begin his muscle-building work. We are all so looking forward to that day.

However, please take a look at Barney's first photos compared to the most recent Barney photos (above).

Already, using only the braces, Barney has improved immensely. While he does struggle with the braces, Barney gamely tries to walk "standing upright" every day without protest or complaint......and notice the improvement in his spine. Wooooohoooo, it's straightening out!! Also take a look at the "clearance" now between his back feet and the floor. His back feet are coming up beautifully!! Our rehab vet, the hydrotherapy doctor, was amazed at the improvement in only 6 weeks and has high hopes for her new patient! Barney has a huge heart and responds so well to everything that is done for him.