Freyja’s Comeback: From Limping to Loving Her Beach Walks Again
Shared with the permission of Freyja’s owner
When I first met Freyja, a 4 year-old Rottweiler cross from Mossel Bay, she was noticeably lame and clearly uncomfortable, even with pain medication. Her favourite activity—long, joyful walks on the beach—left her limping. She had recently been diagnosed with elbow dysplasia, and the impact on her mobility and overall quality of life was already significant.
Fortunately, with consistent veterinary physiotherapy, thoughtful management, and a deeply committed owner, Freyja’s progress has been nothing short of inspiring
Establishing a Plan
At the start of her treatment, Freyja was overweight and had already begun to lose muscle strength, particularly in the forelimbs and supporting structures. She showed obvious signs of discomfort during movement, and her reduced activity was contributing further to her condition.
We began with weekly veterinary physiotherapy sessions, incorporating:
- Laser therapy to assist with pain modulation and inflammation control,
- Manual therapy to aid in decreasing discomfort and promoting pain-free joint movement
- TENS to aid in pain relief
- Underwater treadmill sessions to promote safe, low-impact strengthening,
- And a tailored home exercise programme to maintain progress between visits.
In addition to veterinary physiotherapy, we introduced joint supplements, implemented strict feeding and treat guidelines, and adjusted her home care routine to better support her recovery.
Meaningful Progress
Over time, Freyja’s improvements were steady and significant. Her owner’s dedication played a major role in her success—they followed her prescribed plan closely and remained fully engaged throughout the process.
As Freyja became more comfortable, her mobility improved, she began to lose weight, and her muscle bulk and strength returned. Her sessions were gradually reduced to fortnightly, and eventually monthly maintenance.
Today, Freyja is able to enjoy 45-minute beach walks without any signs of lameness—a remarkable achievement that reflects both her resilience and her owner’s commitment.
A Reminder of What’s Possible
Although Freyja’s elbows will always remain incongruent, and she will likely continue to require some form of pain management, her progress highlights what’s possible with a comprehensive, well-managed approach. Her story is a wonderful example of how targeted veterinary physiotherapy—combined with owner commitment and multifaceted support—can significantly improve comfort, restore mobility, and help dogs return to the activities they love. It’s the cumulative effect of all the interventions—physiotherapy, medication, weight management, and strength building—that has enabled her to regain function so beautifully.
Here’s what Freyja’s owner has to say:
“Jess is very knowledgeable and assisted our cross Rottweiler, Freyja, to gain full mobility after being diagnosed with elbow dysplasia. Jess used a variety of treatments, laser, water treadmill and various exercises that we continued to do in between her weekly, then fortnightly sessions. Jess monitored feeding instructions, treats, and supplements. Freyja has made such progress we are down to monthly sessions. Jess is based in George but was willing to travel to us in Mossel Bay which was a great help on days we could not come through to George. We highly recommend Jess for her knowledge, professionalism and friendly manner. Freyja also loves Jess!!”
Sue, Mossel Bay