Jona was seven months old when I took him and the x-rays to see Dr. Newkirk. Dr. Newkirk confirmed my suspi­cions that Jona did have hip dysplasia and was on his way to becoming lame. During that first office visit, Dr. Newkirk treated Jona with a chiropractic adjustment with aqua-puncture. Aqua-puncture is acupuncture with a homeopathic remedy that absorbs slowly into the muscles around the spinal vertebrae relieving swelling and inflamma­tion. Dr. Newkirk advised me to put moist heat on Jona’s hips and lower back and massage him, in an effort to bring about more relief from the spasms. These spasms where pulling Jona’s back legs out of the joints causing the top of the leg bones to bang into the pelvis when he attempted to walk, run or play. Glucosamine tablets were administered daily to aid his bone and joint develop­ment.

Aqua-puncture and chiroprac­tic treatments where making a huge difference in the way Jona walked. He still couldn’t run very fast but there would be bursts where he would run like a normal dog. Then, Jona would be walk­ing along and his front leg(s) would collapse and his face would be on the floor. Or he would limp for no apparent reason. I brought this to Dr. NewKirk’s attention and he informed me that Jona had also developed bilateral shoulder lesions! (OCD - Osteochondrosis). The treat­ment for this was laser therapy. He explained to me that this is a very serious condition as cartilage could break off inside the joint. The cartilage would then need to be surgically removed

Dr. Newkirk treated Jona for five months using the alternative therapies before the water treadmill was introduced into his treatment regime at the Veterinary Rehabilitation Clinic in Egg Harbor Twp., NJ. By now Jona was 11 months old and it was very apparent that Jona used the front part of his body to move himself around. As he moved in this fashion, Jona developed more muscle mass in the front of his body, leaving the back looking atrophied. He looked like 2 different dogs. It was hoped that the water treadmill rehabilitation would take the pressure off his joints allowing muscle mass to be built. The water treatment would also help Jona to walk in proper gait. Because of the pain from the dysplasia and OCD, Jona had learned to compensate by swaying and walking improperly by dragging or shuffling his rear feet. At every rehab appointment Jona was taught how to re-walk by first walking over different widths of PVC pipe and then the Under Water Treadmill

The long-term prognosis for Jona, I think, looks bright. He still drags and shuffles his feet when he is tired or in pain. In fact, that’s my cue that he needs a chiropractic adjustment. But I feel confident that as we continue the types of alternative therapies and rehabilitation, Jona will have a longer time of good health. Jona’s condition will have to be appropriately managed for him to be pain free and live a quality life as he matures. I am glad there is a Doctor like Dr. Newkirk who practices alternative veterinary medicine and is willing to take the most desperate canine cases. It has made all the difference in the world because a strong foun­dation is being created for Jona’s continued good health. I put my arms around my Newfie and con­fidently know that he is receiving the best quality care available, for a fuller healthier life. (Judy Cole, EHT)