Laurie's Blogs.
14
Jun 2025
Jun 2025
Vitamin D and Vertigo (BPPV)
I was searching through some old blog posts that I keep track of, and I found a juicy nugget of information! There is a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The link between vitamin D and benign paroxysmal posi...
07
Jun 2025
Jun 2025
When to Start Unstable Surface Training in the Neurologic Dog
Have you ever second guessed your judgment when it comes to a neurologic dog and when and how to progress exercises? You’re not alone. I get this question a lot. Let’s break it down into the pieces that will matter and factor into the equ...
31
May 2025
May 2025
Understanding Spinal Disease Prevalence in Pugs and French Bulldogs
Another nifty new study has come out with short and sweet, “need to know” info-nuggets for clinical practice. Spinal diseases are a significant concern in brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs (FBDs) and Pugs, but their prevalence and presentation differ mar...
24
May 2025
May 2025
The Hamstring Stretch As A New Screening Tool for Canine Fibrotic Myopathy.
As veterinarians, animal physical therapists, veterinary technicians, and rehabilitation professionals, we often encounter complex musculoskeletal conditions in our canine patients. One such condition, fibrotic myopathy of the hamstring muscles, is a rare but debilitating disease...
17
May 2025
May 2025
Accessoriometacarpal Ligament Injury in (my) Dog
Figure 1: Evidence that he is astonishingly handsome. FigJam, a 5 year old, devilishly handsome (Figure 1), neutered Labrador retriever and my favourite adventure buddy, developed an intermittent left forelimb lameness that would transiently appear following off leash ...
10
May 2025
May 2025
Posture and Postural Dysfunction in Dogs: Implications for Veterinary Physiotherapy and Veterinary Practice
A recent study in The Veterinary Journal (Michael et al., 2024) provides a comprehensive analysis of posture and postural dysfunction in dogs, offering valuable insights for veterinary physiotherapists, rehab therapists, and veterinarians. This article synthesizes the study...
03
May 2025
May 2025
Hair-Loss Over the Back
Have you seen dogs with a strange pattern of hair loss, typically over their back, unilateral or sometimes symmetrical. Often there is nothing odd about the skin (i.e. no infection, redness, bumps, or other signs of irritation). Just hair loss. Variou...
26
Apr 2025
Apr 2025
Understanding Balance in Aging Dogs: New Insights from Postural Stability Research
As our furry companions age, their mobility and balance can decline, impacting their quality of life. A recent study published in Sensors (2025) titled "Impact of Aging and Visual Input on Postural Stability in Dogs: Insights from Center-of-Pressure Analysis" by Christiane Lutons...
19
Apr 2025
Apr 2025
Animal Models Demonstrate Sex Differences for Pain Modulation
I have a lot of books on my book shelves, and I got looking at them the other day and thought, I should just open one up, flip through, and come up with a blog topic. So I opened, Wall and Melzack’s Textbook of Pain. A two inch thick book that looks ...
12
Apr 2025
Apr 2025
Happy Jack Skip, Jack Russell Tick, Terrier Skip - What’s Going On?
The "happy jack skipping gait," sometimes called the "Jack Russell tick" or "happy skip," is a distinctive movement seen in Jack Russell Terriers and other terrier breeds. It’s characterized by a playful, intermittent skip or hop, often during walks or moments of excitement...
