Monday, October 4, 2010

Physical Rehab For Animals: Scout's House Appointment 2

Here are the pictures I promised from our second appointment at Scout's house.

In the next few photographs, Moki's physical therapist is doing a set of manual techniques to help Moki stretch his front legs....





The therapist is basically trying to get Moki to reach out for the chair with his front two paws...




Below is a picture of the chute that Lisa, the founder of Scout's house built just for Moki...(thank you so very much Lisa for taking the time to do this for us!!!!)
Krista, the Director of Rehabilitation Therapy at Scout's House came up with the idea based on her knowledge of what has worked for swimmer puppies, who's back legs spread out similar to Moki's and what has worked to treat swimmer puppies in the past...

Krista and Debbie, another rehab therapist at Scout's House, shown below, are both really good at figuring out all sorts of ways to help Moki.


The chute helps to improve Moki's gait while developing his leg muscles.

Since the walls of the chute keep Moki's legs from falling out to the side he is able to walk through the chute while keeping his legs underneath him...

The chute also keeps Moki from falling over while relearning how to walk with a normal gait and building up his leg muscles...


During the week, Moki and I bring the chute home with us so that Moki can use it to exercise...



We then bring the chute back with us for each physical rehab appoint so that Moki's Krista and Debbie can use the chute to work with Moki during his physical rehab appointments...


Moki was still getting used to the idea of using his new chute when these pictures were taken so to help him out the first couple of times Moki was guided through the chute using a laser light toy...

It's been three days since Moki first used the new chute that Lisa built for him and he now loves it! Mini Munch, Moki's fur sibling is also quite fond of the chute, and whenever Moki is in the chute she likes to play with Moki which encourages him to walk faster and faster through the chute each time...it has also encouraged Moki to want to walk through the chute numerous times in a row. The minute he reaches one end, he wants to turn around and do it again!


Moki's hydrotherapy also went well....
He is becoming more and more aware of his dislike of water and therefore...



more and more willing to move his legs as...

he tries to get out of the water like most normal cats would...


Overall Krista and Debbie have reported that Moki has been amazing when it comes to receiving his rehab, but Moki and I can't help but think, it is Krista, Debbie, Lisa and the anonymous donor started Holly's Heart Fund, who have been the most amazing of all! Moki and I therefore wanted to thank each and everyone of them for the very special roles that they are playing in Moki's road to recovery!!!