Last weekend we had another Double Therapist Saturday with Alfie & Flint. Alfie is a Collie who loves his agility and older brother Flint is a Springer who is a typical bouncy spaniel. Recently Alfie displayed lameness from his rear left leg.
Alfie can be a wee bit anxious but throughout the 90 minute session he demonstrated a classic “I’m going into the massage zone” routine that we have come to experience so often.
It went like this (using Alfie’s voice…well…..I think that’s what he would have said) :
1. “Hmm…I don’t know who you two are so I’ll just stay a little away”
2. “OK…you haven’t gone away and are just sitting on the floor so I won’t look at you but maybe I’ll sit in your lap Chris”
3. “Oh…you’re working on my back….oooooo that is nice. I’ll just stay here for a while”
4. “And now you’re on my shoulder….goodness I’ll stay a little longer”
5. “I’ll walk away now”
6. “Nope….I’m coming back with my toy fluffy sheep for you”
6a. “And my toy fluffy dog”
6b. “And maybe this toy too”
7. “Hmm…you’re working on my brother so I’ll go to the other therapist…he looks lonely”
8. “But I’ll just lie here against the sofa while he works on me”
…….much later….
9. “Excuse me….did I say you could stop touching me Dr Les? I’ll just give you a guiding paw on your arm back to where it belongs on ME”
10. “Hey…you can’t go….I’m staying here on your mat. You won’t be able to leave now”
…later still…….
11. “Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz”
Responses like that just make what we do the best in the world. Thank you Alfie and Flint for sharing your Saturday with us (before and after pictures below)
Rufus is a 5 year Miniature Dachshund who I started to visit in 2016. He had a back issue presenting with recurring limping of front leg. This all stemmed from an injury when he was 1 with someone treading on him while out walking.
Massage and physical therapy worked wonders with him. He loved it. His Mum loved giving it to him daily – turning petting time into therapy time. But after several months I was asked to visit as an emergency. On visiting I recommended an immediate visit to the vets where it was discovered he had 5 fenestrated vertebrae in his mid to lower spine.
Rufus may be small, but he is so strong. When his Mum collected him from the referral centre, he immediately was able to walk on the grass for a wee. Several weeks rest, care and gentle massage and Rufus was back to normal.
Until June this year when I was contacted again – he had 2 more fenestrated vertebrae on his lower spine with resultant weakness on his left side. Although he was in pain, he wagged his tail enthusiastically as he was taken to the referral centre again thinking he was going back to that great hotel. This time after the surgery his left hind leg still not working correctly.
More weekly massage visits, more homework from Mum and more annoying crate rest for Rufus
During the limited exercise phase of his recovery, the downstairs neighbour bought some turf slabs and carpeted their front patio which was all pebbled before. Rufus had his own local Dog Park. Handkerchief sized, but then that is Rufus sized too. That is neighbourly spirit and the power of cute Rufus eyes.
His Mum was left with a new massage routine workbook which seemed to work. She wrote ““Les, this is just wonderful. I can definitely do this without worrying now. We had a little bit more of a neck massage with sighing and relaxing (him, not me!)”
And then “Morning Les, I opened Rufus’s crate door this morning he straightaway lay on his side on the carpet and waved his left leg at me, staring at me, clearly saying ‘well, go on then!’. After 10 mins or so he rolled over for me do the other side. All this before breakfast! He loves it! We did a very relaxing 20 mins or so. We think you're wonderful.”
3 weeks later and Rufus is almost 100%. Muscle wastage is being reversed. He is on short walks so his weight is going back down again. Stitches are all out. He starts hydrotherapy later this week. And he is happy. He was even diving into my bag to get to the treats he knows I carry.
Size is not relevant with dogs. He may be a Miniature, but he has the strength and determination of a Maxi dog. His Mum said “Think how we would be if we’d burst a couple of discs. We’d be off work for ages”. Not Rufus. 3 weeks and he is back to himself thank you very much.
The strength and determination of dogs is so inspiring. I love helping them and being inspired by them every day.
Cathie Forbes (Southdowns Canine Massage) and Dr Les Ellam (AchyPaw Canine Physical Therapy) have combined their knowledge to design a series of workshops which have been accredited and promoted by the IAAT (International Association of Animal Therapists). We are both qualified professionals in canine massage with several years’ experience in therapy and training.
The series of one day workshops is called “Supporting your dog to reach their full potential through every stage of their life” and the first two in the series are now available for booking with more available next year.
These first two workshops are interactive, informative, fun and practical. You will learn a full age-appropriate massage routine, exercises and passive movements. We will also be discussing a variety of therapies and conditions experienced by dogs. You can choose to attend just one of these workshops or both. Discussion, massage and exercise techniques will vary for the different age ranges covered in the sessions.
The first session looks at Senior Years. It will cover basic anatomy; possible health and mobility changes as they advance into their senior years; some conditions they may be affected by, such as arthritis, and how these can be managed; video observation and discussion; massage overview and how this form of physical therapy may be used to help the senior dog; a massage routine that is appropriate for daily use and some gentle stretches and exercises to keep our golden oldies in top condition.
The
date is Saturday 27th October and booking is available from the IAAT CPD site here
The second session looks the Earlier Years. Just because a dog is not showing signs of slowing down or discomfort, doesn’t mean that they won’t benefit from a daily conditioning massage and exercise routine. This workshop will cover puppy exercise and development; the importance of getting it right from the beginning; repetitive soft tissue injuries/strains and how to avoid them; video observation and discussion; benefits of massage; dynamic warm-up exercises and warm-up massage; adapted movement patterns and making simple changes that can make all the difference to your dog when they advance to their senior years.The date is Saturday 24th November and booking is available from the IAAT CPD site here
The venue is the historic Blatchington Windmill Hall, Hove, BN3 7LH. As it is difficult to learn canine massage without a dog, this is a dog friendly venue. We encourage you to bring your dog to work with during the day.
These sessions are IAAT accredited and a CPD certificate will be offered.
We would like to invite everyone - vets, vet nurses, reception staff, dog walkers, dog behaviourists, groomers, owners, in fact anyone who has an interest in the health of dogs.
We look forward to meeting you and your dogs.
Sometimes, the 'Memories' thingummy in Facebook raises a smile. Apparently it was a year ago today that Smiley Riley's Mum, Alison, went home with our 'walking over poles' exercises to help Riley raise his feet.
Like the carpet post - you don't need to buy anything posh to help your dog with these proprioceptive exercises. Alison went to her Dad's and raided his shed. The garden was full of spades and other implements. Just enough height to encourage Smiley Riley to raise his legs as he walked over them but not too high to trip him up. Brooms are useful too. When we started exercising our Sarah this way, we discovered, to our amazement, we own 8 brooms.
And you can alter the shape of the circuit. Straight lines, circles, haphazards anything so that the dog will gently, slowly and deliberately walk over the poles. It's not agility, it's not a jump. It's a controlled walk.
Like the carpet post - you don't need to buy anything posh to help your dog with these proprioceptive exercises. Alison went to her Dad's and raided his shed. The garden was full of spades and other implements. Just enough height to encourage Smiley Riley to raise his legs as he walked over them but not too high to trip him up.
If you haven't got a garden shed full of useful walking-over stuff, you can buy those long soft swimming pool noodles. We bought a whole bundle last year for a few £. They store easily too and can be used indoors on wet days.
Thanks for the memories Smiley Riley xx
“Apologies for all the mats and rugs Les” said Oscar’s Mum when I visited. Apologies? Oh no.......she deserved an AchyPaw Good Mum medal.
She said that the wood flooring in her house didn't help with Oscar’s mobility. She found he was wobbly and slippy. Putting mats, rugs and carpets all around might not look co-ordinated but Oscar didn’t care. He just saw safety islands and places to walk.
When dog Mums and Dads have opened the door to us, asking to be forgiven or explaining their irregular mats and carpets, they are met with a beaming smile from us and a “well done”.
After Chris’s visit to Henry, we received an email saying “Here’s Henry on his new massive rug in the lounge - no more slippery lounge floor. His grandma and grandad bought it for him. Spoilt? Never!!”. And the rug matched his colouring. That’s cool.
When I made my visit to little senior boy Blue, the floor was covered in dustsheets – not for re-decorating – but so Blue could walk around the whole house without slipping on the wooden floor. Now that was a great use of stuff you’ve probably already got around the house somewhere.
And recently, handsome chunky Hector’s Mum mentioned the carpet but it was exactly what he needed to walk without worry of skidding or sliding.
It needn’t cost the earth.
Use your imagination and those bits and pieces you have around the house, as long as they don’t slide across the floor. Old mats, rugs, off cuts of carpets, yoga mats, dustsheets, anything is better than slipping legs on your dog.
Don’t apologise – celebrate the multi-colour irregular mats, carpets and rugs. We do!
Go bright - walk safe
Golden Doodles Ronnie & Roo
are brothers from the same father and different litter. I worked with Ronnie last year. Since then his Mum has adopted Tripawd Roo. Roo has been a Tripawd since birth so doesn’t know any different. To him, three legs is normal.
Ronnie is 3, Roo is 2. Ronnie has mild hip subluxation which is being managed conservatively with appropriate exercise, hydrotherapy and massage. When his Mum looked for a friend for him, she wanted a dog who could match his reduced exercise regime. Roo came along at the right time.
We were invited around before Roo moved in permanently to help Mum assess the suitability of her house. But she already knew of all the things to do – just needed our professional confirmation. Things like carpets in strategic places, harnesses, ramps, joint supplements and garden access. The latter has already had plans approved for a bridge to be built from the patio out to the gate. Now THAT is forethought and equals the bespoke Corkie Stair Lift.
Roo is a happy smiley playful carefree young lad who adores his brother who, in turn, has assumed a protector role. They have both benefitted from the new brotherly arrangement.
When I first Ronnie last year, he was initially reticent about massage. This time the massage mat went down with Ronnie on top of it immediately. Sighs came within 5 minutes. The aim with Ronnie is to keep him fit and mobile so that his hip issues don’t become a chronic mobility problem. His Mum had been doing her homework – he felt remarkable.
The aim with Roo is to make sure his tripawdness doesn’t lead to any long-term aches and strains by the different forces his body is going through. He only has a left fore-leg and moves that into the middle. That’ll cause the outer leg muscles to stretch while the inner muscles will shorten – a bit like a Greyhound who always runs the same direction round the track. Roo will also need maintenance work along his spinal muscles as they are also working extra to keep him mobile. He will be using his rear legs and back more to help him stand up. All these movements will cause compensation issues. Luckily, he loved his massage session – getting straight down on his mat so Chris could start work immediately.
The brothers are now on our unique double-therapist maintenance programme which, with the hydrotherapy, should help them remain bouncy, contented and untroubled.
“How often will you need to visit my dog?” is a question we often receive in an initial enquiry. The answer is – we simply don’t know until we’ve met you and your dog.
Each dog is different. Each has their own individual response to their presenting issue – whether it is post-surgery, lameness, arthritis, bonding, and all the other hundreds of conditions we have met over the past 7 years.
We don’t subscribe to the “we can fix your dog in three sessions” principle.
We’ve had dogs who have been helped after just one session, others we see with a series of sessions, some we see monthly, fortnightly, biannually or even weekly. I’ve got a few dogs currently who are in my 100 club – I’ve visited them more than 100 times.
Each case or issue is treated as an exclusive case. There is no set schedule for healing.
Recently, we’ve had a lot of returnees all for different reasons.
One such returnee was Whippet Sonny who has been visiting us since April 2016 and comes back every 3 to 4 months or so for a maintenance session to sort out his niggles and issues which mainly focus around his iliopsoas muscle and sometimes his shoulder. His Mum does lots of homework in between sessions and has added some exercises to help him stretch his back legs. He is now seeing a chiropractor as well – adding to his impressive multi-modal therapy regime. When he came back the other week he did his usual “OK…I love this but I’m not sure” thing - his Anxiety Alarm goes off and he walks away. But he then comes back when the alarm has finished. This goes on usually for 20 minutes when he decides to turn the alarm off completely and just fold himself into my legs. Which is exactly what he does – he moulds himself to my shape. And that moment is magic for a therapist. Total trust. Pure magic. Pure Sonny.
Another is Auntie Pearl & Ralph, 8 year old Sussex Bulldogs. We’ve been visiting them since 2014. Originally Auntie Pearl had a very stiff neck – such that she couldn’t turn her head to see behind her but had to rotate her whole body. Massage, exercises, carer education and empowerment helped to sort that. Ralph had a break in his leg when he was only 6 months old and needed some balancing. Their frequency of visits is ‘as needed’. It can be 1, 3 month or 6 months between visits. Recently I was invited back after Auntie Pearl was knocked over by a car who simply carried on driving. She is also undergoing acupuncture, laser and homeopathy. Ralph wanted his maintenance session to help ease him out and keep him in shape.
Ezri has also returned a couple of times recently. She is a 9 year old Miniature Poodle agility dog who has just been accepted into the ParAgility International championship in Manchester in the autumn this year with her Mum (http://imca-pawc2018.co.uk/ ). I was invited over to help her last October when something was ‘not right’ and her mobility was niggling her. At that time, we found that giving her shedloads of myofascial release massage was exactly what she needed. Her coat started to fit better. Her fur started to move again. Her muscles were free to flex and extend again. Her niggles were on the way to stopping. We also added our AchyPaw warm-up/cool-down to her agility routine. Her Mum has been doing all her homework and now Ezri is about to start competition season again and we were invited over to get her primed and ready.
If we can’t come up with an exact ‘quote’ of how long it will take, bear with us…your dog is an individual and we aim to treat them as such.
