Canine Osteopathy can help doggos with a range of issues and can relieve pain and discomfort. Read on to see if Osteopathy may be able to help your furbaby.
What is Osteopathy?
Osteopathy is a therapy which focuses on holistic, hands-on techniques. It recognises the important link between the structure of the body and the way in which it functions. It focuses on how internal organs, connective tissues, circulation, nerves, muscles, joints and the skeleton function as a holistic unit.
What is canine Osteopathy?
Canine Osteopathy can treat all breeds, including occupational dogs, professional dogs and household dogs from puppies onwards. Regular treatment of agility dogs experiencing musculoskeletal imbalances can also help to improve their performance while maintaining their overall health.
Canine Osteopathy, like Osteopathy in general, treats a dog’s body as a whole, rather than only focusing on any one particular condition - the aim is to always to seek the underlying cause/s of the canine’s problem to return their body to balance.
When should I consider Osteopathy for my dog?
If your dog is recovering from an injury or if you notice a change in their behaviour - it’s a good time to ask for osteopathic advice. A dog’s only way of communicating pain or discomfort is to display changes in performance, character and/or personality. Examples may be - difficulty getting into the car or going up stairs. They may not want to get out of bed or go for a walk. They may whimper, growl or worse still, bite in order to show their discomfort.
Other times when canine Osteopathy may be helpful:
Older dogs in general
Chronic issues like arthritis, locking patella, hip dysplasia
General stiffness such as struggling to get up after a rest
Young dogs during their growth
Very active or competition dogs - working dogs, agility and jumping
Before/during/after having pups
On/Off lameness - arthritic pain and hip dysplasia can cause the dog to compensate with their walking gait, which can develop into secondary back problems
When you notice a change in behaviour, activity, appetite
Traumas and accidents: falls, road traffic collisions, slipping, fighting
Repetitive activities: jumping on and off the couch, in and out of the car
Breed weaknesses: dogs with long backs and relatively short legs are prone to disc problems (eg. Dachshunds); hip dysplasia (eg. German Shepherds); cervical vertebral instability (eg. Weimaraners); osteochondritis dissecans affecting the shoulders and elbows (eg. Labrador Retrievers)
Post surgery
Misalignments may also cause various symptoms and your dog will often subtly change their gait to compensate for the issue/s.
Any joints involved can become stiff and lack normal range of motion.
Ligaments will be under extra strain, muscles will have reduced elasticity and be more prone to suffering injury.
Nerves can become impinged causing muscle weakness and wasting.
These symptoms can often be relieved with osteopathy.
What conditions can canine Osteopathy help treat?
These are some of the most common conditions that canine Osteopaths see:
Muscular problems such as stiffness, spasms or atrophy
Gait problems such as short or uneven steps
Aging problems such as arthritis
Joint pains, lameness, limping
Back pain, disc bulges, disc problems, herniated discs, Spondylosis, Spondylitis
Neck pain, cervical vertebral instability
Hip problems, congenital hip dysplasia, arthritis, bursitis
Changes in behavioural patterns, inability to relax
Poor or reduced performance levels
Circulatory problems (local and minor)
Digestive problems
Post-operative issues
Canine Osteopathy available at Diesel & Blue
Anna Prins is our resident osteopath. She studied for five years full-time at the National Institute of Animal Osteopathy in France and has been running her own practice in Australia for over five years.
Our customers are very passionate when talking about what Anna has achieved with their pups. The most regular statement we hear is the unique connection Anna has with animals she treats.
“Before Archie’s appointment with Anna he was struggling to run and couldn’t keep up with his older brother. After 30mins with Anna and a days rest he is running at full stride. Thank you for giving my young puppy the freedom to run and play and most importantly be a happy healthy puppy! The effects were magical!”
ARCHIE'S MUM
Who can access Osteopathy at Diesel & Blue Doggie Daycare?
Appointments are open to all of our customers as well as the public however a C5 vaccination certificate is required to attend.
How many treatments will your dog need?
This depends on your dog’s history, age and the demands placed upon them. Elderly dogs often need regular treatments to help improve their mobility and combat stiffness. Annual check-ups, maintenance treatments, pre-competition/event tune-ups and preventative treatments may be advised. All of this will be discussed with you after the first consultation and treatment.
How long does the treatment take?
Treatments run for 45 minutes per session.
Find out more here if you'd like to know how Osteopathy might help your pooch.
Or contact us to book a session.