Animals: Fred

Fred, a mature, portly Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was suffering from a long-standing intermittent lameness in his right foreleg. As if this wasn't enough, he was also prone to sudden bouts of severe neck pain, which left him immobile and in considerable distress. These signs were associated with widespread degenerative disc disease for which he had had spinal surgery to help alleviate the problems in this area. The surgery had decreased the frequency and intensity of these attacks, but he was still troubled by his right foreleg.

After his treatments Fred's limping improved considerably. He was able to go for walks without difficulty and did not become lame afterwards. He began playing with the other dog in the house rather than watching him and would run out into the garden unprompted, whereas before he would have to be coerced to go out. There was a little stiffness after rest, but it would soon disappear much more quickly than before. The acute attacks did not return. Unfortunately Fred developed heart failure a year later and had to be euthanased. Up until this point he had not had any further problems with his neck or his leg.