RubyLu’s Road to Recovery - by Anna Webb
Anna Webb – as a Canine Nutrition and Behaviour expert, Anna combines her psychology degree, with study at the College of Integrated Veterinary Therapies (CIVT) and over 20 years’ experience. Host of the award-nominated A DOG’S LIFE podcast, she lives in London, and is owned by Prudence a Miniature Bull Terrier and Mr Binks, a re-homed English Toy Terrier. www.annawebb.co.uk
Gorgeous RubyLu in the bluebells
Glendrick Roost is an animal sanctuary situated near Stirling, situated on the borders of Loch Lomond and Trussocks National Park.
As a registered charity, over the years, Glendrick has offered a ‘home for life’ for abused, abandoned and unwanted animals. It protects and gives welfare to unfortunate animals often arriving distressed, in need of love, care and veterinary attention.
Welcoming all creatures great and small from gerbils, chickens, dogs, cats, goats, donkeys, cattle, sheep and even a Clydesdale horse.
In 2017, founder Mione Morrison’s attention was drawn to a senior Rottweiler mix, in a shelter abroad. Abandoned due to a cancer diagnosis, she was left alone in a bare concrete kennel.
She explained: “There was something about this dog that caught my eye, she wasn’t done with life yet, but had little hope left due to her mammary cancer diagnosis. She looked broken from rejection, her eyes appealing to be released from her confinement. I felt an inexplicable connection, so it wasn’t long before RubyLu arrived at her forever home at Glendrick Roost.”
RubyLu and friends
“RubyLu was about seven years old when she arrived, and settled into life at Glendrick like a duck to water. Aware of her cancer prognosis we ensured her optimum nutrition with fresh raw meat, whole raw eggs from our own chickens, fresh leafy greens and meaty bones for enrichment. We added a CBD oil and a Golden Paste to boost RubyLu’s immune system, and pre-empt any pain. We also integrated Reiki sessions offered by Alison McKinnon, who is a Reiki Practitioner and tutor with SARA” (Shelter Animal Reiki Association).
Five years later In September 2022 , RubyLu was living her best life, enjoying the company of other animals, including 14 blind dogs, two Tripods, of all shapes and sizes. Becoming friends with the goats and the donkeys, but especially going for long walks in the stunning National Park until one day she collapsed after jumping off her usual park bench.
Rushing her to local vet, Struthers & Scott Veterinary Practice, they were unable to diagnose this sudden paralysis. Following further investigation and neurology tests at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, RubyLu was diagnosed with suspected acute Polyradiculoneuritis. She was then referred to Veterinary Animal Physiotherapist, Susan Fotheringham, BSc MSc AdvCertVetPhys.
RubyLu receiving some much needed physiotherapy.
Susan explained; “Despite RubyLu’s initial presentation being severe only being able to lie in lateral recumbency, yet her tail never stopped wagging. She was bright eyed, but functionally, whilst her forelegs had some movement, her hind limbs had no active movement. She had significant atrophy of the muscles over her shoulder blades, down her back (particularly lower back), around her hips and down her back legs. Thankfully RubyLu still had her reflexes to deep pain, indicative of detecting sensation”.
RubyLu’s weekly Physiotherapy sessions included treatments combining electrotherapy; pulsed magnetic field therapy to stimulate nerve function, laser to help to increase energy at a cellular level to her muscles, nerves and joints and ultrasound over her lower back and down her back legs.
Advising Mione on specific exercises to practice every day in-between sessions, including paw tickling movements to heighten nerve signals through her feet, as well as some supported standing and supported walking exercises with a ‘Help ‘Em Up’ Harness, that helped lift, encourage Ruby Lu to stand and get her balance.
Mione explains: “The first few weeks were very hard. Every day I spent four hours devoted to her exercises, massage and adding Reiki. But progress was slow. On Alison McKinnon’s recommendation, I reached out to Photizo’s UK distributor Danetre Health Products, who sent us a Vetcare. Designed for home use, it proved invaluable in-between our weekly Physio sessions to keep up and advance RubyLu’s healing.”
RubyLu and her Photizo Vetcare
“As a non-invasive device, the Vetcare offered its LED sourced red and near-infrared light energy delivered in pre-programed 30 second doses. I targeted specific areas like her paws, shoulders, hips, front, back legs and her acupressure points. Using the device to warm up RubyLu’s muscles before our daily exercise routine, and help to facilitate deeper healing. Being so easy to use, with no need for goggles, I could see the positive difference in RubyLu’s body posture and tail wagging when using the Vetcare.”
“I could see the positive difference in RubyLu’s body posture and tail wagging when using the Vetcare.”
“I’d read how the various Vetcare biostimulatory effects include promoting circulation, reducing inflammation and pain. After eight weeks, close to Christmas, RubyLu suddenly took a massive leap forward. Walking RubyLu, albeit slowly and a bit wobbly, into our Physiotherapy session, rather than carrying her! It was the best Christmas present ever!”
“We’ve just celebrated Easter weekend and RubyLu’s on-going recovery astounds our Vet. We continue to work through her exercises, incorporating our Vetcare, ensuring RubyLu enjoys every day - step by step”.
The Photizo team enthused: “We’re so delighted that the Vetcare has helped RubyLu on her road to recovery so far and continues to do so. The Photizo concept is the culmination from years of research in this field of photomedicine and harnesses high output LED technology rather than pinpoint laser to deliver the health benefits of red and near-infrared wavelengths. This therapeutic modality was defined by MeSH in 2015 as Photobiomodulation (PBM). A PBM device that delivers a highly effective dose and applied appropriately is becoming increasingly accepted for the positive reactive and proactive benefits. Since its launch in the UK in 2013, Photizo Vetcare now celebrating it’s 10th birthday, has helped hundreds of animals both in practice and at home for animals with acute and chronic conditions as well as for working animals.
We’re excited to hear about RubyLu’s on-going healing journey and all the other animals at Glendrick Roost,” who can benefit from a healing hand with Photizo Vetcare’s red light.
A very happy girl
Photizo Vetcare’s healing power will help to:
Stimulate the production of collagen. Collagen is an essential protein used to repair damaged tissue. It is the most common protein found in the body.
Increase circulation almost immediately. By helping to generate an increase in blood flow to the treatment areas the light therapy normalises and heals injured cells. By increasing blood flow more oxygen and nutrients are transported to the affected area, and waste products taken away.
Reduce oedema (swelling). Oedema has two components, liquid and protein. Researchers have shown that the lymph diameter and the flow of the lymph system can be nearly doubled with the use of light therapy.
Stimulate the release of endorphins which are the body’s own pain-fighting