Laurie's Blogs.

Looking back, I have to say, it’s been a tough year. We had to part ways with the vet that had worked as a rehab therapist for me at The Canine Fitness Centre for the last 2 year – because the Vet Association learned of her employment (which we never hid) and...

Question: Can you explain your definition of muscle tone.  In pediatric PT (my specialty) muscle tone is assessed as one tone throughout the body (low, normal, increased, etc).  You start out with one muscle tone and it doesn’t change (unless there’s a neuro...

Hi Laurie, I have been doing the motor control & timing exercise almost every day with Dexi, as often as I could. It seems to vary: stimulating either glutes OR quads appears to help. I cannot be sure that I am doing it as a physio would, so we do the best we can. Normally I ...

I may have mentioned this before, but I believe that the universe sends you series ‘messages’ that are intended to help with your learning.  In clinical practice, I find that we will be referred a number of similar cases, that in the end, help me to identify a co...

Hi Laurie, Its N. again with another question.  I am writing from home - so don’t have some of the details.  Anyhow, we are seeing an 18-month intact female GSD, who sustained a growth plate injury to the right distal radius and developed a carpal valgus.  Th...

Hey Laurie, I have a puppy assessment booked for this Wednesday. The referral said ’a potential limb angulation’. I have reviewed my puppy assessment notes - but otherwise am not really feeling confident for this one and not sure where to potentially go with a limb an...

Hi Laurie, Question for ya.... Hope you don’t mind.  I have a 9 year-old Border collie mix, competitive agility dog that underwent a toggle pin surgery (toggle pin technique and used Tightrope implant) for the treatment of a traumatic cranio-dorsal hip dislocation.&nbs...

Over my canine rehab career, I have seen a number of young dogs that presented for treatment due to a kyphotic (roached) posture.  The dogs were primarily show dogs, and the owners had noted a change in their topline between the time that they were under a year of age, up to...

Question: Hi Laurie, I have a question – how to prevent kyphosis? Phoebe 10yrs old dachshund, spayed, weight 14.8lbs. She had trouble with her back on and off for a few years. 7/20/2012 -  Para paresis rear legs with complete CP deficits rear legs and pain on palpation...

Hi Laurie, I have a couple questions if I may.  When do you start tractions, spinal mobilizations, ROM, and rib movement? One - Some patients are quite painful right after disc injury. Two – The usual recommendations are cage confinement and zero movement for first few...