Just wanted to share with you all a great thing I am doing with my 13 year old yellow lab, Miller: HYDROTHERAPY! Miller has all sorts of problems, he's diabetic, arthritic, dysplasic, etc. etc. etc. His poor hind legs are really wasted away from his severe hip dysplasia. I have taken him in to see neurologic and orthopedic specialists, and there is not a lot that can be done. I have tried acupuncture and chiropractic treatments with little effect. I most recently tried hydrotherapy, which really seems to help my old man Miller. We go for one hour sessions to a place in Franklinville, New Jersey that has a heated pool with water jets. The therapist takes Miller in her arms and lowers him into the water. She then caresses him and calms him until he is comfortable, and she helps him swim a little. She also puts his crippled hind legs next to the water jets, which Miller REALLY enjoys. The first time we went, Miller could not really swim, he wasn't using his hind legs at all and so he was really just splashing with his front legs. It was heartbreaking to watch, he looked like he was drowning. Last time we went, Miller was actually SWIMMING, using his front *and* hind legs. He really seems energized when we first leave, and then he sleeps like a baby for the next 24 hours or so (getting up to eat and go to the bathroom, of course.)

HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended for those with old dogs with bone problems, or even just as a nice thing to do for your aging dog.