Other Conditions

Any operations whether for an orthopaedic condition, abdominal or other types of surgery even neutering. Depending on the surgical procedures, your dog may be immobilised for day’s even weeks which can impact on both physical and psychological wellbeing of your dog.

Physical – Restricted movement leads to reduced circulation of blood and lymph, muscle wasting (Atrophy), over compensation, reduced flexibility, and referred pain leading to tight and injury prone muscles, reduced the range of motion and poor joint stability.

Psychological- Boredom, stress and anxiety.

Benefits of Clinical Canine Massage Therapy:

Between 4 – 6 weeks after surgery your dog will find it beneficial to have full structured massage to assist in their recovery.

• Pain management.
• Improve the blood flow and nutrients to the affected area to aid and repair (Healing process).
• Ease stress and anxiety.
• Assists with areas of overcompensation.
• Improves weight bearing and range of motion.
• Breaks down restrictive scar tissue and adhesions.
• Improves mood and character.

As dogs age their bodies can slow down as muscles and joints don’t work at their full capacity, just the same as humans.

Different breed’s age at different rates and generally this is dependent on size, there are many changes to their senses, psychological changes and changes to their physical system – activity levels, muscle tone, and flexibility.

Benefits of Clinical Canine Massage Therapy:

Massage therapy can make a dramatic difference to the older dog, as massage is extremely therapeutic for senior dogs. There is a long list of benefits that can come from Clinical Caning Massage, but here are a few that stand out.

• Reduces stiffness and tightness within muscles and joints.
• Stimulates weak and inactive muscles.
• Increases flexibility and reduces pain for ageing joints.
• Improves circulation.
• Helps the dog get to their feet more easily after long periods of rest.
• Treats areas of pain and soreness, minimising pain and maximising comfort.
• Helps with a more balanced and emotional state, putting the “bounce’ back into your dog.

Many owners fear that their dogs will not settle for massage and are surprised to see their dogs response when handled empathetically, with care and consideration and the correct massage techniques used to calm them.

Just like humans, dogs can suffer from stress, anxiety and nervousness. It could be due to any of the following:

• Loud noises i.e. fireworks, thunderstorms.
• Trauma.
• Being rescued/re-homed.
• Loss of another pet.
• Attacked by another dog.
• Scared of strangers.
• Being a senior dog (their physical abilities change with age).
• Child going to college/ university/work.

Many owners fear that their dogs will not settle for massage and are surprised to see their dog’s response when handled with care, empathy, consideration and the correct massage techniques used to calm them.

Often we overlook the psychological needs of our dogs. Massage helps to build confidence in shy and fearful dogs, we can’t ignore the positive results for social and emotional health that Canine massage provides. Canine Massage helps to build a dog’s self-confidence, sociability, and feelings of trust and belonging.

Benefits of Clinical Canine Massage Therapy:

• Relaxation.
• Releasing tension.
• Calming the “fight or flight” response.
• Lowering stress hormones in the body.
• Gets the dog used to being touched.
• Promotes comfort, self-worth, bonding and emotional well-being.
• Releases endorphins and boosts the immune system.

Massage can helps the body and mind and can have a fantastic calming effect, bringing everything together i.e. their bodies, to their minds to their emotions.

Same as with humans over time weight creeps on our dogs little by little and we don’t often notice our dog putting on weight. This can be from the extra treats, tit-bits, decrease in activity, metabolism slowing as your dog ages – they all add up.

Dogs don’t cope well with being overweight, they can’t walk as far, they are unable to play, they can feel vulnerable, and you see a change in their character.

Symptoms to look out for:

• You  are unable to feel their ribcage (please note you should be able to identify your dog’s ribcage not be able to see every rib, being underweight puts your dog at risk just as being overweight does).
• No waist definition.
• Droopy belly.
• Neck Fat.
• Pants heavily after exercise.
• Struggling up steps.
• Waddling.
• High fat to muscle ratio.
• Sleeps a lot and is always lethargic.

Benefits of Clinical Canine Massage Therapy:

• Feeling more comfortable with increased flexibility and mobility.
• Decreases levels of soreness and stiffness.
• Increases circulation and draining the lymphatic system.
• Decreases tightness in muscles.
• Releases Trigger Points (those twitches / flinches that you see along your dog’s back and sides).