Waffles's recovery journey
Maltese · 9 years · male
14 total sessions · 2 hydro · 2 land rehab · 2 HBOT · Jan 2025 – May 2025
- Post-op IVDD
- 14 visits
- Acupuncture & TCVM
- Rehab arc
Presentation
After hemilaminectomy for grade 3 IVDD at T12–T13, Waffles faced post-operative pain and hind-limb weakness — grade 5 non-weight-bearing paralysis with absent conscious proprioception at presentation.
Assessment
Post-surgical clearance and wound check preceded any aquatic work. Visit records confirmed hemilaminectomy recovery; the plan paired hydrotherapy with HBOT and land rehabilitation for nerve support.
Rehabilitation plan
Two hydrotherapy sessions in the early post-op window, integrated with TCVM Tui Na, land rehab, and two HBOT visits — warm water for supported movement once healing allowed.
Progress
Owner reported increasing attempts to walk and less hind-limb dragging across the first weeks; paraspinal soreness and hamstring trigger points were managed alongside aquatic work.
Outcome
Steady post-op recovery with hydro as the low-impact bridge between rest and full land exercise — measured progress across a short but intensive early rehabilitation window.
Individual results vary by diagnosis, age, and home adherence. This case summary is drawn from RehabVet clinic records with owner consent to publish the pet's name — it is illustrative, not a guarantee of outcome.