Your Dog & Massage Therapy This ebook is a short introduction to canine massage therapy. It is not an academic text or a training manual and should not be used as a means of practicing canine massage therapy. Canine massage therapy should only be carried out by a qualified and insured Canine Massage Therapist after a vet has been consulted and has made a formal referral to a Canine Massage Therapist.
Your Dog & Massage Therapy 1. ABOUT THE AUTHOR 4 2. ABOUT DORSET CANINE MASSAGE 5 3. WHAT IS CANINE MASSAGE? 6 3 4. BENEFITS OF CANINE MASSAGE THERAPY 7 WHAT CAN MASSAGE THERAPY ACHIEVE? 7 WHAT TYPES OF DOGS CAN MASSAGE THERAPY HELP? 8 ISSUES AN OWNER SHOULD BE LOOKING OUT FOR 9 5. COMMON CONDITIONS THAT CAN BE IMPROVED WITH MASSAGE 10 HIP AND ELBOW DYSPLASIA 10 OSTEOARTHRITIS 10 SPONDYLOSIS 11 LUXATING PATELLA 11 CRUCIATE LIGAMENT DAMAGE 12 6. THE BENEFITS SUMMARISED 13 7. A DORSET CANINE MASSAGE SESSION 14 INITIAL CONSULTATION 14 ADVICE TO FOLLOW AFTER A MASSAGE SESSION 14 8. WHEN SHOULD A DOG NOT BE GIVEN MASSAGE THERAPY? 16 9. CONTACT DORSET CANINE MASSAGE 17
1. About the Author Following her qualification with The College of Animal Physiotherapy, with a distinction in Canine Sports Massage, Caroline gained two further certificates; one in Hydrotherapy for Small Animals and the other in Hydrotherapy Treadmill Therapy, both at Level 3. It came as little surprise to family and friends when Caroline turned her lifelong passion for animals towards canine massage. One of her own dogs, a Hungarian Vizsla called Poppy, has elbow dysplasia, which heightened Caroline s commitment to rehabilitation and therapy. She has always had dogs in her family and has been a keen horse rider from a young age. Both her Hungarian Vizsla and her German Shorthaired Pointer have undergone gundog training and Caroline enjoys appearing with her Vizsla at dog shows 4 Massage is beneficial to suit all breeds of dogs, from the family pet, to a performing dog, whether doing agility, obedience, or a working dog. All will benefit and improve from a correctly applied massage. The College of Animal Physiotherapy
2. About Dorset Canine Massage Dorset Canine Massage provides services throughout Dorset on a Home Visit basis, but is equally happy to use alternative premises such as your veterinary practice (with their agreement). Successful Massage Therapy is best achieved by working with others as part of a team, which will include the dog s owner and vet. Massage Therapy can only be carried out with veterinary consent as stipulated by the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and (Exemptions) Order 2015. Dorset Canine Massage is a Member of IAAT (International Association of Animal Therapists) which promotes high standards and ensures a minimum of twenty-five hours of Continuing Professional Development each year. Owner of Dorset Canine Massage, Caroline Drysdale, is fully qualified and insured. She says, You can be sure that your dog will be well cared for throughout all therapy sessions and owners often notice positive results by session three, although older dogs may need more regular massage treatments. 5 Canine Massage is a clinical therapy used to support and resolve issues in your dog s muscular system that may be having a detrimental effect on their mobility, mood and quality of life. International Association of Animal Therapists
3. What is Canine Massage? Canine Massage is a hands-on, non-invasive therapy that can help your dog in a variety of ways. The aim is to make your dog a happy, healthy companion and to relieve the conditions that can cause stress, discomfort and pain. Massage Therapy can be used on a regular basis or when your dog has had an injury or has developed a condition where proper massage techniques can help the healing process. The positive and therapeutic effects of massage have been recognised for centuries and are now used as a holistic treatment for sporting and working dogs as well as other canine companions. Massage therapy delivers benefits to the muscles and skeleton as well as the nervous system, cardiovascular and lymphatic systems. It reduces tension and stress and generally promotes canine health through its positive effects on both physical and mental fitness and wellbeing. All dogs may require massage therapy at some point in their lives but canine massage therapy should not be seen as something that replaces the care and treatment available from your vet. On the contrary, a canine massage therapist should always work in collaboration with your vet to ensure that your dog s health and wellbeing is paramount. 6 Professional canine massage therapy can be an important aspect of your dog s health and will integrate well with other treatments such as veterinary, physiotherapy or hydrotherapy care.
4. Benefits of Canine Massage Therapy Just like humans, massage therapy can provide many benefits such as reducing stress and tension, increasing flexibility and ease of movement, and enhancing circulation. Overall, it contributes to the body s ability to function properly. 7 WHAT CAN MASSAGE THERAPY ACHIEVE? Working alongside your vet, massage therapy can provide many benefits for your dog. Of course, each dog is an individual and its general condition and healthcare needs will determine the treatment programme. Massage therapy has a positive impact on different parts of the body such as: BONES AND JOINTS Massage therapy pressure promotes the blood s circulation to bones and helps nourish them. It also keeps joints lubricated and can reduce pain and swelling. CIRCULATION Massage therapy stimulates the circulatory system increasing blood flow which delivers nutrients and oxygen to the cells as well as stimulating the lymphatic system which takes away metabolic waste and toxins from the body. MUSCLES Massage therapy helps to increase the flow of blood and nutrients to the muscles. It also helps to loosen and stretch the muscles, tendons and ligaments. This will build strength, increase the range of movement and promote flexibility. Any breed of dog, whether young, old, athletic working dog, show dog, or a family pet, massage therapy can help restore, maintain, & enhance your dog s general health & wellbeing.
SKIN Massage therapy increases blood circulation and keeps the skin nourished. It helps to remove dead skin cells and hair, allowing the skin to breathe more easily to keep your dog s coat soft and healthy. WHAT TYPES OF DOGS CAN MASSAGE THERAPY HELP? 8 SPORTING AND WORKING DOGS Massage therapy is often used with sporting dogs in their preparation for competition or to help them recover from the rigours of competition more quickly. It can improve performance and reduce the risks of injury. If your dog participates in agility or flyball, massage can be beneficial both before and after their events. Massaging before an event adds to the usual warm-up exercises, helping to boost the flow of blood to the muscles while reducing tension. An increase of blood flow also increases the amount of oxygen being delivered to the muscles and helps to prevent injuries. Massage after an event will help to relax the muscles and joints and get rid of harmful toxins created during strenuous physical exercise. Massage can help to reduce, and often prevent, the stresses, strains and excitement of a working life by toning tendons, ligaments and muscles. OLDER DOGS As dogs age, they also have a tendency to suffer from conditions such as stiffness in their joints or arthritis. But stiffness, tension and pain can all be relieved by gentle massage and it can be very effective in helping with circulation when your dog is no longer as active as it once was.
INJURIES AND SURGERY Dogs recovering from injury or surgery benefit greatly from massage as it can help the healing process by increasing the supply of oxygenated blood and nutrients to the muscles. This will help to reduce swelling and discomfort, improve recovery time and maintain flexibility and mobility. Often the body compensates for pain in one area by transferring the weight to another area. One example of this is when an injury in a back leg results in pain and discomfort in the shoulders and front legs. Therefore, to ensure full mobility, it is important to treat the whole dog not just the area of injury. 9 Your dog should feel more relaxed as endorphins are released into the system which help to promote feelings of wellbeing and reduce the perception of pain. ISSUES AN OWNER SHOULD BE LOOKING OUT FOR If your dog displays any of the signs listed below, then a visit to your vet would be worthwhile and massage therapy could have a positive effect: limping has difficulty getting in and out of the car or going up or down stairs stiffness when rising reluctant to go on its usual walks recovering from recent surgery has an orthopaedic condition such as arthritis, hip dysplasia or spondylosis
5. Common Conditions That Can Be Improved With Massage If your dog is suffering from an orthopaedic condition in one area, it can cause stresses and strains in other areas. This results in discomfort and pain but massage therapy can help to relieve these, aid recovery and improve your dog s quality of life. Below are just some of the common conditions your dog may experience, together with how massage therapy can help to improve your dog s general wellbeing. 10 HIP AND ELBOW DYSPLASIA Dysplasia means there has been some abnormal development of the joint which results in the bones rubbing together, the ligaments becoming overstretched and damage to the cartilage causing inflammation and pain. Dogs with dysplasia will have a genetic predisposition, which can be exacerbated by environmental factors such as an injury, too much exercise at a young age, or rapid weight gain. Larger breeds of dog seem to be affected more than smaller breeds. Changes in the way your dog is walking such as a bunny hop or swaying hips is one of the indicators of hip dysplasia. Dogs with hip or elbow dysplasia may have an aversion to their normal exercise, and lameness after exercise is also quite common. HOW MASSAGE THERAPY CAN HELP Massage therapy aims to improve mobility while reducing discomfort and inflammation. It also helps to improve flexibility and circulation. Massage therapy can be used both before and after any surgery that may be needed. OSTEOARTHRITIS Arthritis is evident when cartilage, which protects the bones, deteriorates and results in the ends of the bones touching each other causing inflammation and pain.
Ageing is the most common cause but other contributors include injury, congenital joint conditions such as elbow and hip dysplasia and osteochondrosis, being overweight, or engaging in high levels of activity, which puts additional stresses on joints. HOW MASSAGE THERAPY CAN HELP Massage therapy can help by increasing flexibility and the mobility of the affected joints, which assists in relieving pain and inflammation. It also relaxes and warms muscles and improves circulation. 11 SPONDYLOSIS Spondylosis is a chronic condition in which bony growths develop on the spine and may fuse two or more vertebrae together, therefore the movement of the spine is restricted, or can be completely immobilised where this occurs. Pain and discomfort results from restricted mobility and from the bony growths putting pressure on the surrounding tissue. The condition may be hereditary but is typically found around areas of injury or, in the case of active working dogs, from wear and tear. HOW MASSAGE CAN HELP Massage therapy can help to alleviate pain and discomfort by promoting mobility and flexibility and relieving the tension in the surrounding muscles. Massage can also be used to treat the pain caused to your dog s back and hind quarters, which often accompany spondylosis. LUXATING PATELLA The patella (knee cap) is a small bone that sits in a groove in the knee joint. Luxating patella occurs when this bone dislocates from its normal position causing pain and a sudden loss of support in the affected limb. Longer term there will be damage to the
cartilage and osteoarthritis. Its cause is primarily genetic and is more common in small breed dogs. Some dogs may require surgery for this condition and the recovery time will depend on how serious the condition is and what type of surgery is used. HOW MASSAGE CAN HELP 12 Massage can help to promote recovery, reduce pain and discomfort both before and after surgery. It can also help alleviate pain and discomfort that is likely to exist when the dog overcompensates for the condition by favouring another limb. Massage can also help to stimulate circulation to the area affected by the condition. CRUCIATE LIGAMENT DAMAGE The cruciate ligaments stabilise the stifle (knee) joint and a partial tear or rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament is the most common cause of hind limb lameness in dogs. It is usually caused by a gradual degeneration of the ligament over time but can also be caused by a severe, sudden twisting of the joint. Some tears may heal without the need for surgery if a strict regime of complete rest is carefully followed, but usually surgery is required to stabilise the joint. Unfortunately, damage to the cruciate ligament results in the development of osteoarthritis in the stifle joint. HOW MASSAGE CAN HELP Massage therapy can begin once the wound has healed as it can help to reduce recovery time and improve flexibility and mobility. Cruciate ligament damage will almost certainly result in other muscles, tendons and ligaments working harder to help compensate for the pain and discomfort. This is likely to affect areas such as other limbs, neck, shoulders and back.
6. The Benefits Summarised The many benefits of massage therapy can be summarised as follows: Boosting the immune system Breaking down scar tissue Feeling good through the release of endorphins Helping to relieve pain and discomfort Improving circulation flexibility and movement in joints agility and performance mood and behaviour healing after surgery lymphatic drainage Increasing lubrication in the joints Overcoming an aversion to touching and handling Relieving strain and tension in the muscles anxiety and discomfort Reducing swelling anxiety and stress Supporting behavioural training recovery from strenuous or competitive exercise 13
7. A Dorset Canine Massage Session As well as a vet referral, it is important that I have the right information about the dog before starting any course of massage therapy. This will include a diagnosis of the problem from the vet and a list of medication or treatments that the dog is having. Once this information is available, an initial consultation will be arranged with the owner. 14 INITIAL CONSULTATION This usually lasts between one and one-and-a-half hours. Firstly, I discuss the concerns you have as an owner, as well as asking questions about your dog s daily routine, exercise regime, diet and medical history. Then I assess your dog s general health with a focus on the condition it has. I also assess its posture and movement when walking and trotting, its flexibility and any areas of concern such as pain and discomfort, tension and stress, or changes in skin temperature and condition of its coat. After that I complete an hour of massage therapy. When I have completed the desired number of massage therapy sessions, I will write a short report to your vet. ADVICE TO FOLLOW AFTER A MASSAGE SESSION It is important to provide proper care for your dog following each massage session. I will advise you of this during each session but, generally speaking, you should: Walk your dog for a few minutes immediately after a session to help stretch and rebalance its body. Do not feed them for at least 1.5 hours but ensure that. fresh water is readily available as your dog may be thirstier than usual. A 20 minute walk on the lead is recommended a few hours after a session.
Remember that your dog may be feeling sore or stiff for around 24-48 hours after a session. If your dog is feeling particularly tired, you should let it sleep but not for too long. By law, I cannot start canine massage therapy until your vet has made a referral to me at Dorset Canine Massage. 15 Caroline Drysdale
8. When Should A Dog Not Be Given Massage Therapy? Massage therapy should not be given if you suspect any of the following. If in doubt, always consult your vet. As a general rule, dogs should not be given massage therapy when: They are suffering from an acute sprain or injury, or if their injury has resulted in an open wound. They are obviously unwell but have not yet seen a vet. For example, they may not be eating or drinking; they are lethargic; they have diarrhoea; they have a high temperature. They could be suffering from shock following an accident or injury. There is a possibility of a tumour. 16
9. Contact Dorset Canine Massage If you would like to know how Canine Massage Therapy can help your dog, whether supporting an ongoing orthopaedic condition, improving performance or helping them recover from injury or surgery, contact me using the following details 17 Caroline Drysdale Canine Massage Therapist Email: info@dorsetcaninemassage.co.uk Telephone: 07775 432802 Website: www.dorsetcaninemassage.co.uk