M O N T H L Y - A R T I C L E

TECHNIQUES FOR HOME USE

Firstly, it must be mentioned that if a dog is suffering from any particular ailment or injury, that it is best to seek specific recommendation on 'home care' from a physiotherapist before engaging in physical treatments on ones own. With that being said, there are some things that dog owners can do for their pet to help prevent injuries.

SPORTING & WORKING DOGS:

Successful competitions at the track, in the field or in the ring require a finely tuned canine athlete. Preparing your dog for competition requires hours of training and conditioning. Yet, often the same animal is asked to perform on the day of competition without adequate warm-up. A human athlete would never run a race or compete in an event without adequate warm up, and post event cool down and stretching.

Warming up is easy. It should be 5 - 10 minutes in length and result in some panting (on the dog's part!). Ideas include:

1. General Movement: i.e. simple walking, trotting and loping.

2. Specific Movements
    a) Jogging in circles - start with large diameter and gradually progress to tighter circles
    b) Jumping: a few small jumps
    c) Belly crawling: i.e. under a chair or through a tunnel

3. Warm-up Stretches (active stretches)
    a) in standing, taking a treat from each hip (side bending the spine)
    b) in standing, taking a treat from between the front legs (to flex the spine)
    c) in standing, taking a treat from above the head (to extend the spine)
    d) play bow ( to stretch out the shoulders)

The after sport cool-down is important for muscle recovery and dissipation of lactic acid (that is the element that makes our muscles stiff and sore after heavy exertion). So just allowing the animal to "walk it out" for 5 - 10 minutes after the exercise bout can do wonders for diminishing delayed onset muscle soreness.

Stretching is the last but often the most critical component to a canine athlete's regime. Not only great to help prevent and provide relief for muscle pain but also an excellent way to help you monitor your dog's physical well being and aid in the early detection of potential problems. Regular assessment of range of motion of your pet's joint, noting both quality and quantity of movement, can help prevent the development of chronic problems. The stretches are as below:

The Back Leg
1. For the quadriceps, extend the back leg out behind the dog, with a bend in the stifle (knee)     joint.
2. For the hip flexors perform the same stretch as for the quads, but attempt to keep the stifle     joint straight.
3. For the hamstrings, bring the leg forwards in a straight line under the dogs body, while     keeping the stifle joint straight.
4. For the gluteals, apply the same stretch as for the hamstrings, but allow a bend in the stifle     and have the leg come forward in a straight line from the hip and more towards the midline     on the underside of the animal's body.

The Front Leg
5. For the elbow flexors, flex the leg back towards the body, while keeping the elbow straight. 6. For the shoulder extensors, perform the same stretch as for the elbow flexors but keep the     elbow slightly bent.
7. For the triceps, extend the leg forwards in front of the dog, allowing a bend in the elbow.
8. For the shoulder flexors, perform the same stretch as for the triceps, but keep the leg     straight

Any stretch should be held for at least 15 seconds and performed twice. The stretch should be to the point of resistance or tightness and never if there is pain involved. The afore mentioned routine gives some suggestions for helping your animal maximize his potential and minimize his risk of injury. Any animal with a specific injury would benefit from a more customized programme by a physical therapist.

THE AGED CANINE COMPANION:

Osteoarthritis can be a very crippling disease for a dog. There are things that an owner can do to help maximize an old dog's function.

1. Exercise: short bouts of activity throughout the day are better suited for the arthritic dog     versus on long exercise session.
    a) Moderate hilly terrain: helps to get full extension of all the joints which is needed for joint         nutrition.
    b) Swimming is a good 'easy on the joints' exercise for fitness without jarring the painful         joints
    c) Crawling exercise: crawling through a tunnel or under a chair or bed etc. to get full joint         flexion.

2. Range of Motion & Stretching: (see the previous section on sporting & working dogs for     how to stretch the limbs.

3. Hot & Cold: To relieve general aches, pains and stiffness; heat is your treatment of choice     (i.e. hot water bottles, heating pads, electric blankets on a low setting, a heated floor and     extra blankets are good for adding heat to comfort your old friend) However, when joint     swelling is present and/or an injury is recent (i.e. within the last 48 hours), then ice or cold     packs are favored. One precaution is to not use ice for longer than 20 minute at a time or it     may have a reverse effect (causing more swelling).

BACK CARE FOR THE SMALL AND LARGE DOG:

There is no such thing as a normal dog! Our smaller dogs (especially those with longer backs than legs) are predisposed to disc herniations in their spine. Our larger breeds tend to develop osteoarthritis and degeneration or spondylosis in their spines. We can help our furry companions by taking some preventative measures to care for their backs.

1. Flexibility Exercises: Have your dog take a treat or turn to take his/her favorite toy from     either hip, from between its front legs and above it's head. This will make the dog put his     back through all of its intended movements. To concentrate on the neck, have the dog also     take treats from his shoulders.

2. SMALL DOG Hanging traction: Slowly and gently pick up the dog so that it's spine is     against your chest. Hold it in a 'bear hug' with two arms if necessary (i.e. heavier dog) or     with one arm to hold the torso and the other arm to support under the butt or under the legs     depending on the comfort of the animal). Straighten up or stand up, so that the animal's feet     come off of the ground and the weight of the lower body is tractioning the spine. Hold for     30 seconds or more as tolerated and repeat often throughout the day.

3. MEDIUM/LARGE DOG ONE-MAN TRACTION: Straddle the dog, facing backwards.     Have your legs positioned just behind the shoulder blades and allow your own heels to     touch each other under the torso of the dog. Bend over and place your hands in front of the     dog's pelvis (hands wide spread - using the web space border again. CAREFUL not to dig     into the groin of the animal). Straighten your legs (to squeeze the animal) and push the pelvis     away from you. Try to hold for 10 or more seconds. (Sometimes most effective with the     animal facing a corner or in a small space - so it won't try to get away!) If the animal falls     down as you are tractioning, you may need to lighten up on your push, or resort to two-     man traction if the animal is savvy to your method!) Be careful to keep your own back as     flat as possible (ie bend at your hips without rounding your back).

4. Two-Man Back Traction (for any size of dog): One man stabilizes just behind the shoulder     blades (hand position wide) and the second person grabs the pelvis (from behind the dog)     (hands wide again) and pulls the pelvis towards him/herself. Try to hold for 10 or more     seconds, Repeat 3 - 5 times.

PLEASE NOTE: If your dog has excruciating back pain or suddenly becomes paralyzed ever, you must take him or her to your veterinarian a.s.a.p. With sudden paralysis you often only have 24hours in which to do surgery before permanent damage is done!