Meet Cinnamon, a spirited 12-year-old Labradoodle who came to us with a long history of mobility challenges. At just five years old, Cinnamon was diagnosed with bilateral hip dysplasia—a condition where both hip joints develop abnormally, often leading to pain, arthritis, and difficulty walking. To improve her comfort and mobility, she underwent a total hip replacement (a common orthopedic procedure that replaces a damaged or diseased hip joint with an artificial one to reduce pain and improve function) on her right side.

Unfortunately, Cinnamon experienced complications after surgery, leading to a suspected pathological fracture (a bone break caused by weakened bones due to disease, rather than a traumatic injury). As a result, she needed to have her right hind limb amputated, and Cinnamon continued to struggle with discomfort. To assist with her movement, she required a rear support cart (wheelchair).

Her owner, committed to improving her quality of life, reached out to us for help. We developed a comprehensive treatment plan that included acupuncture and rehabilitation sessions, scheduled weekly to bi-weekly, aimed at reducing pain and improving mobility. Additionally, we introduced at-home treatments, such as the Assisi Loop (a device designed to promote healing by using a specific type of electromagnetic signal to support tissue repair).

After just two acupuncture sessions, Cinnamon’s comfort levels improved significantly. By her seventh session, we noticed real progress in her mobility and stability. She was also much happier—no longer growling when her owner approached her (which we had initially attributed to pain). At her eighth session, we observed occasional buckling of her left rear limb, which led us to take radiographs (X-rays) to better understand the situation. The X-rays revealed moderate osteoarthrosis (a type of arthritis in the joints), but there was no significant discomfort at that time. It was suspected there may be some instability in her remaining left joint, and since Cinnamon’s owner had opted not to pursue further surgery at that time, we recommended a custom orthotic brace to provide lifelong support and minimize the potential for cranial cruciate ligament injury (a common condition of instability in the knee of dogs).

A few months later, Cinnamon was fitted with her knee brace (a specialized joint brace), and her owner reported that she was using it regularly and no longer needed her wheelchair. Since then, Cinnamon has continued to thrive and is enjoying a much higher quality of life.

Cinnamon’s journey is a beautiful example of how, with the right care and innovative treatments, even senior pets can regain comfort and independence. If your pet is facing similar challenges, we’re here to explore the best treatment options to support their health and well-being.