Dog Massage

[Toohey]

Does anyone know much about the proper way to massage dogs?

I do passive physio on my dog's leg (as told to by vet) because of some arthritis he has, and find the muscles in this leg are usually rock hard. He goes into absolute raptures when I work on the tightness, and it does seem to help with his occasional lameness.

Have just ordered a book called

"The Healing Touch for Dogs: The Proven Massage Program for Dogs, Revised Edition"

Michael W. Fox

Hopefully it will help guide me to do it properly.

Has anyone had much to do with dog massage, and if so, have you found it beneficial?

[fifi]

Hi Toohey, yes I still have my big fella' thanks to support therapies. He injured himself as a nine week old pup, he chipped several vertabra in his spine, and suffered ligament, nerve and muscle damage. the vet wanted to Euthenase him on the spot, (he had nearly no movement or response in his rear :-((

I contacted an old freind who had been a top greyhound therapist, and he suggested a program to try.

We took him home with pain killers, and anti-inflammatory drugs, with the promise to have him PTS if we were unable to stabilise or improve his injury/quality of life.

(I'm a qualified vet nurse too)

with a dedicated daily routine of physiotherapy gentle manipulation, crate rest, and as movement improved - limited swimming, (a heated hydrotherapy pool would have been heaven and a speedier recovery), heated wheatie packs, and daily massages, he slowly recovered.

he was still on gentle exercise and a little outdoor pen to play in, at 12months, but by 14 months was moving quite well, just needed to start building up muscle strengh. by 20 months, he had nearly normal movement ( and when you know about a problem, you see it stand out more!)

at four years of age, Navarre won Runner up Best in Show at the Wolfhound Specialty! from three to five years, he consistenly won group, class in group & in show classes. they were a nice bonus, but the real prize is still having him happy and healthy in our home. he is now five & a half, has a little arthritis, but we have him on a herbal arthri-eze which keeps him running happily.

I would recomend learning the support therapies from a real expert, it can make a huge difference to your dogs life, and the bond between you.

fifi

[fifi]

I forgot to add, we also borrowed a horse friend's vibra-massage machine, Heaven on a stick!! its a two handled vinyl covered cushion, with a powerful massage/vibration action, I think this is what really sped up the nerve recovery, as they are the slowest to respond & heal. ( the reason we borrowed it? they are upwards of five to eight hundred dollars to buy!!! - but worth their weight in gold)

fifi

[Leenie]

I do Animal Massage for dogs and cats in Brisbane and surrounding suburbs. Michael Fox's books are great.... and is an excellent guide for learning technique. The Australian College of Natural Animal Medicine offers basic home study courses in animal massage - www.acnam.com.au

[Toohey]

Fifi, what a terrific story about Navarre. So good to hear of such results.

Thanks Leenie. Glad it's a good book. I had not heard of him, just went by the reviews. Had a look at those courses. Bit pricey. Will see how we go with the book first. Thanks.

[fifi]

Hey Leenie, that's a great link, how much proffesional credibility does ACNAM have?

yes the course fees are around the usual price for private colleges.

would love to hear more about the work you do Leenie,

thanks,

fifi

[Bonzawani]

I have always massaged my cat, by hand or with a vibrator. She loved it and would come running if I turned it on. I'm now doing it for Andy, but not the vibrator. Maybe he'll get used to that in the future.

They were never injured and needed massage therapy, I just do it for the bonding.

Bonz

[Dogeaze Canine Massage]

Hi Toohey

My name is Julie Gordon, I run a Canine Massage Therapy business here in the sunny West.

I am so glad more people are realising the absolutely wonderful benefits of massage for our wonderful furry friends.

We have had great success in conjunction with vets and surgeons using massage therapy on pets with injurys and after surgical care. Benefits are amazing - dogs with hip dysplasia and arthritis, sporting injuries all benefit greatly.

I have also discovered a product that complements massage therapy so well, my 13 year old arthritic staffy is now running!!! Its called Gelatinaat, it works on the whole muscular skeletal system, containing important building materials for the skeleton, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscle, skin and coat. It actually assists in producing adequate synovial fluid, so that damaged cartilage has the chance to healand movement becomes freer and more supple.

I have lots of information on my web site if you would like to have a looksee

www.dogeaze-canine-massage.com or drop me an email...

Goodluck and once again its wonderful to hear more people are becoming aware of the benefits of massage.

julie - dogeaze massage therapy

[Leenie]

Hi.

Julie - I had a look at your website - how great! Where did you study and how long have you been doing animal massage for?

Fifi - Thanks for asking about what I do. It's very nice of you to take an interest. Basically I was a veterinary nurse for about 5 years, with a personal interest in natural therapies and nutrition. I became really frustrated with a number of aspects of the veterinary and pet industry such as:

1. giving drugs for any little thing ie. for skin conditions when a change of diet would have fixed 80% of the problem,

2. absolutely disgusting pressure on clients to buy certain products (won't name) because if said vet sold x amount of product by the end of the year he would get a trip for two to Sydney (yes! very common),

3. poor nutritional information - personally I don't think vets, vet nurses, pet shop owners, etc. get enough information about nutrition. It's "we make a nutritional balanced premium (cough) dry food so sell it" - vet, vet nurse, pet shop owner "okay".

My first surgery was great, the vet had studied animal chiropractor courses and was open to alternatives to some degree but another clinic I worked at - very closed minded. I had clients quite often ask about alternatives and I felt unable to recommend anything in case I was "told off" but my boss. I felt that sales were being put before animal health.... so I opted to focus on natural healthcare.

I started Natural Animal Care in 2003 and specialise in Animal Massage. I've studied Veterinary Homeopathy, Animal Massage and other therapies. I also have completed detailed Nutrition courses and received high marks. I focus on teaching pet owners about good nutrition for their animals and promote natural shampoos, supplements and alternatives to toxic flea treatments, etc. I also believe over vaccination is a major problem.... and recommend 3 yrly immunisation, titers and homeopathic immunisation.

And that's what I do.... I love working in conjunction with vets and believe that holistic health should be used complementary to conventional vet medicine as necessary. It's all about education...

>>how much proffesional credibility does ACNAM have?

I forgot to answer this question. All I know is that the courses were designed by veterinarians and naturopaths, and the lady who is the president (?), Kathleen Griffin is registered with the HATAA (holistic animal therapy assoc. of Aust) which is recognised by the AVA.

Edited November 6, 2004 by Leenie

[fifi]

Thanks so much Leenie for taking the time to answer, I'm also a vet nurse, but currently working in my other proffesion as a social welfare worker. I used to own health food stores, and had done several years of my Naturopathy many years ago.

I suffered the same frustrations as you, my dogs are fed as close the the BARF diet as possibe, and I would never act as a commercial food marketer while vet nursing. My vet was not very open to holisitc therapies, but did see the recovery of my boy through them. Luckily he was not overly fond of 'reps' so we were a very basic practice, without many 'sales' promotions or stands.

The vetinary nursing courses now, have only a small nutrition component, and recently, most of it has been overwhelmed by commercial promotion.

I've had a good look at the site you provided, and may go ahead with the massage/physical therapy units.

having a giant breed, we have to be very particular with diet, exercise, and incredibley fast growing structural issues.

I wish I'd spent more time learning from the old greyhound therapist, he has now passed away, and a lifetime of knowledge with him.

thanks again,

fifi & hounds

[Toohey]

Hi Julie and thanks for the information. Hopefully more people will be inspired to try this sort of therapy. Do you know of anyone practicing in Melbourne?

My boy is only just four years old, and he has completely lost interest the past few weeks in his favourite pastime of chasing swallows, and the limp he has is quite pronounced.

My massaging efforts are being enjoyed by him, by I can't see a great deal of difference when he is moving. I guess a lot of it is about improving circulation to the area though. We will keep trying.

What is in the product you have mentioned? Is it similiar to glucosamine/chondroitin?

Leenie, it is great to have someone with your knowledge and interest in natural therapies here as well.

Welcome to the forum both of you

[Leenie]

Thanks Fifi and Toohey. I really appreciate your warmth. I look forward to chatting more in the future.

[Divine Angel]

When I was studying to become a Massage Therapist, I used to practice on my dog all the time! I used the basic movements but obviously, adapted them to use on a doggie.

She loved it, she'd close her eyes and sometimes make little grunty noises!!

[Dogeaze Canine Massage]

Toohey- sorry to take so long to reply, my server been playing up, causing all sorts of hassles.

The Gelatinaat - is a collagen and delivers the amino acids (via the collagen hydrolysate) that plays a significant role as the building blocks - into cartilage, connective tissues and joints

Glucosamine and chondroitin (shark cartilage) are only found in the cartilage, and only effective on the cartilage and not on the connective tissue. Is not always readily absorbed.

MSM is different again, as it is a sulphur, which works throughtout the body. It is important against inflammation and a painkiller and works as a restraint on the prostaglandin synthesis...

PrimeVal Gelatinaat combines very well with Glucosamine/Chondroitin as well as MSM.

Apart from that the Gelatinaat can be used in combination with regular medication.

Phew got all that out..

I have several of my massage clients now on this

wonderful product (which is 95% absorbed into the body within 12 hrs!!!) One

in particular has had spinal surgery also with injury to the spinal cord and

only given 60% chance of walking again. He has been having weekly massages

and is now taking the Gelatinaat.. The combination seems to work very well.

He will always have a limp due to the damage to his spinal cord, but is no

longer dragging his back leg, and is brighter and more at ease. The

Gelatinaat works on the whole musculoskeletal system of the dog.because of

the unique composition and combination of the collagen hydrolysate and

collagen type II. Cartilage consists largely of collagen type II which is

very important and a strong component against inflammation. It can be taken

in conjunction with veterinary medicines. Have also been having strong

success with the massage and Gelatinaat on those of our furry friends

afflicted with Arthritis and Hip Dysplasia..

I have brochures/newsletters that I can send you if you would like, I also

have Veterinarians notes if you would like these sent to your Vet so that

they may give you their opinion. I have had my Vet study these and he feels

it is of great over all benefit..

Thanks hope all going well

Jules

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[Dogeaze Canine Massage]

Leenie

Again I apologise for my late reply to your last post.. My server been playing up..

I originally studied Myotherapy (Deep Tissue Massage) here in WA about 8 years ago now and have been applying to the human breed, I have retrained through Australian School of Petcare Studies to continue in the canine field (much more pleasant species I believe ha ha)

I am also currently on list with Ccrmt to take part in their practitioner course when it is up and running..

Thanks

Jules

[kimjm]

You should go and see an animal physio they will be able to help you out with all this stuff.

Check out www.dogsinmotion.com.au