Question

Martina's german shepherd, mollie, has been diagnosed with degenerative arthritis in her hips. The vet says that it is possible to replace the hips but because of mollie's advanced age, she may not survive the surgery. He explains that there is an alternative treatment that might help mollie exercise her joints safely and ease the pain caused by the arthritis. Which treatment will Martina's vet most likely recommend for mollie?

1) chiropractic therapy
2) acupuncture
3) hydrotherapy
4) phytotherapy

Answer 1

The vet is most likely to recommend hydrotherapy as a safe and non-invasive treatment for Mollie's degenerative arthritis, preserving her mobility and alleviating pain without the risks associated with hip replacement surgery.

Step-by-step explanation:

The treatment that Martina's vet is most likely to recommend for Mollie, a German Shepherd diagnosed with degenerative arthritis in her hips, is hydrotherapy.

Since joint replacement or arthroplasty is quite invasive and may pose significant risks especially for older dogs, less invasive alternatives are usually considered. Hydrotherapy is an excellent option to exercise the joints safely and alleviate pain without putting undue pressure on the joints. This treatment uses the resistance of water to help improve joint mobility, reduce pain, and strengthen muscles while minimizing the impact on the joints because of the buoyancy provided by water.

Moreover, hydrotherapy can enhance mobility and support healing processes after operations like a hip replacement. It's particularly beneficial for conditions like osteoarthritis, which involve the 'wear and tear' of the articular cartilage and can result in joint stiffness, pain, and inflammation.