By Dr Tanya Grantham and Delia Mallinick My companion is going for Cranial Cruciate Ligament CCL – TPLO( Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) surgery, now what? When the Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) is damaged the stifle (knee) becomes unstable. The tibia (shin bone) is able to move forward in relation to the femur (thigh bone). Surgical intervention is often required, especially …
Photobiomodulation and the Photizo
Photobiomodulation – the use of light and laser in managing pain in your animal companion By Ashleigh Nicholas When you have taken your fur baby to the physio, chances are that your physio has used a weird looking machine called a laser on your dogs’ muscles and joints. The even weirder thing is that despite this machine looking like it …
Water Intoxication
Water intoxication poses serious risks to your dog. Read this article to learn more. What is water intoxication you ask, surely you can never have too much water?? Unfortunately yes, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Water Intoxication (or also referred to as water toxaemia, hyper-hydration or water poisoning) is caused when your dog …
Is your puppy your running companion?
All dogs need exercise to keep fit and healthy, this much is true and puppies have loads of energy, so taking your puppy with you for a trail or Parkrun sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it? In actual fact, too much exercise and the wrong type of exercise, at the wrong time, can actually be doing more harm than …
Components of a Physical Rehabilitation Assessment
Examination of the musculoskeletal system of a canine patient is a necessity and a skill. It is of particular importance when there are orthopaedic and/or neurological issues, although a thorough musculoskeletal examination adds great value even in cases of systemic disease. Repeated application and observation of the entire body of the dog, and its movement, soon result in a skill …
Light Therapy
The use of light to improve health and healing is used more often than people realise. Simply sitting in the sun is a form of light therapy. In the winter when temperatures drop, how wonderful is it to sit in a windless sunny spot, and soak up the rays? When looking at the medical application of light therapy, the first …
Cats and Physical Rehabilitation
There is a misconception that cats and physical rehabilitation are mutually exclusive, especially when considering hydrotherapy. Opening up the mind to the possibility that a cat will participate in such a program is the first step. The second step is creating a program which is applicable to the condition being treated, as well as being appropriate for a feline. The …
Managing a performance do with Hip Dysplasia
By Kayla Du Toit My Cocker Spaniel started with introduction agility training at 6 months old. at the age of 18 months, she was competition ready and I was super excited to start our agility journey together. We had our ups and downs but she loved every moment of it. At 2 years old, I noticed that she was going …
Core musculature
Core musculature is vitally important for stability and mobility in dogs. Daily tasks like sitting, standing, bending to pee and poo all require core muscles.A strong core reduces the risk of injury. The stronger they are, the more comfortable your dog. The core covers all the muscles that lie close to the center of the body. It stabilizes the trunk, …
UNDERSTANDING WORKING DOGS
TRACKERS AND TRAILERS Usually, when a person hears the word dog, the first thought that comes to mind is the gorgeous, golden lovable home companion. You know, the kind that bathes with you and licks peanut butter off your 3- year old’s toes. Pretty adorable stuff yeah? But if you say the word dog to me, the first thing that …