K9 Keewee

16/08/2024

19/07/2024

So how do I know my dog has sport induced muscle fatigue?

Fatigue is defined as exercise induced decrease in ability to produce force, and power production in response to contractile activity.

Some muscle fatigue is pathological and if prolonged veterinary advice should be sought.

“The science bit”

The strength and firing of the muscles is the job of the motoneurons. With the activation of the (MU) motor unit to produce force output. These control the amount of muscle tissue being activated.

The loss of force marks fatigue

Now the fibres are not excited anymore! (You feel me?)
Which means no excitory synaptic input.

Blood flow (movement) brings the oxygen for aerobic ATP production to remove by products of metabolic muscle function.

Oxygen and glycogen feeds the muscle for ATP production.

So the biomarkers your vet can check for are :
ATP metabolism , oxidative stress biomarkers and inflammatory.

Natural treatments include panx ginseng, rhodiola rosea, garlic. (Seek advice from a qualified practitioner)

Don’t forget your Antinol Australia supplements

KEY SIGNS YOUR DOG IS FATIGUED

1/ after rest getting up awkwardly
2/ muscle tremors (this little shaking legs
3/ change of respiration (can also indicate pain)
4/weight shifting (moving rest legs regularly unable to maintain a natural stack for duration.
5/stretching more than normal
6/tiring more quickly
7/change of coat direction
8/depressed or grumpy
9/avoiding normal activities like jumping up or down, turning
10/avoiding play with other dogs
11/palpable heat
12/reduced range of motion (ROM/PROM)

Dogs will need treatment and rehab after a rest period. If in doubt seek the advice of your veterinarian and soft tissue professional.

Taking care of your dogs’musculoskeletal health will mean you get to play agility again and have fun.

Aside from fatigue our dogs will have slipped and pulled muscles and tendons strongly in the mud. Possible microfibre muscle injury may be present so treatment will help to avoid adhesion and scar tissue formation or further damage.

Canine Rehabilitation Institute, Canine Fitness & Rehabilitation Australia Canine Senses

19/07/2024

Thankyou Maxine from Canine Senses for allowing me to share this valuable information a must read for all but especially our sports dogs. I will also be sharing Maxine's follow-up posts.

"If in doubt rest them as fatigue is your biggest enemy for injury. Yes that’s from now!" Maxine Corry-Thomas

As we travel home after a superb week. Providing treatments and assessments of your dogs I have a question?

How does your body feel?

How do you think your dog is feeling?

With the addition of a lot of difficult running conditions from wet, boggy, to sticky mud our dogs have worked harder than ever.

So what should you do in the next few days?

REST and gentle exercise to keep them moving, walks and gentle stretching.

If any lameness please seek professional advice and /or veterinary treatment or medication.

In the next few days I will be providing videos of how you can manage post nationals muscle stiffness.

Aside from that up to 72 hours post competition and before you run again see your massage therapist and your dogs’ physical therapist too.

If in doubt rest them as fatigue is your biggest enemy for injury. Yes that’s from now!

04/07/2024

A wonderful lady congratulations :)

Michele Kent runs Wight Canine Therapy, based in Newport on the Isle of Wight.

29/06/2024

That’s a wrap at the 2024 QLD Agility Titles , tomorrow is the finals and we head home. I met so many awesome people it was amazing. Bronte my little champion checked out the trial , maybe we will be participating next year :)

28/06/2024

Waking up at Queensland States Durack QLD Agility ready for another fun day meeting amazing people and talk dog:)

28/06/2024

K9keewee and Canine Movement Therapy attending the three day agility competition at Dogs Queensland Durack

26/06/2024

If you sign up on the weekend of the 2024 Qld State Agility Jumping & Games Titles you will go in the draw to win a free Canine Massage. Winner will be drawn on Wednesday 3rd July 2024 6pm, enter prior to be in the running. As we are lucky enough to have Barb from Canine Movement Therapy in Tasmania joining us please share with all your Tasmanian friends :)

Send a message to learn more

24/06/2024

K9keewee and Canine Movement Therapy Canine Myotherpists are thrilled to announce we have been invited to attend the 2024 Qld State Agility Jumping and Games Titles to be held at Dogs Queensland Durack 28th to 30th June.
We are available the whole weekend to discuss any questions regarding Canine Massage and warming up and cooling down your dog. As an extra bonus sign up for our newsletter and go into the draw for a free Myotherapy Treatment for your dog.
So please come by and say hi to Jan and Barb.
Jan Tizard k9keewee.com.au
Barb Morris caninemovement.com.au

10/06/2024

Bindi you are so beautiful totally relaxed after your myotherapy massage.

21/04/2024

Such a powerful video lets all check our harnesses today

17/04/2024

A great read

Title: Canine Health and Wellbeing Newsletter

Dear Dog Lovers,

Welcome to this edition of Canine Health and Wellness , where we explore everything related to our furry friends. Today, we're diving into a topic that might not be the most pleasant, but it's crucial for every dog owner to understand: strong-smelling urine in dogs.

Understanding the Nose Knows: Strong-Smelling Urine

Have you noticed a particularly pungent odor emanating from your dog's urine lately? While it's normal for a dog's urine to have some odor, an unusually strong smell could be a sign of an underlying health issue.

Possible Causes

Dehydration: Just like humans, dogs can become dehydrated, which can concentrate their urine and make it smell stronger than usual. Make sure your pup has access to fresh water at all times, especially during hot weather or after vigorous exercise.

Diet: Certain foods can affect the smell of a dog's urine. Foods high in protein, for example, can lead to a stronger odor. If you've recently changed your dog's diet, this could be the culprit.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): UTIs are common in dogs and can cause foul-smelling urine, along with other symptoms such as frequent urination, straining to urinate, and blood in the urine. If you suspect your dog has a UTI, it's essential to consult your veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Diabetes: Dogs with diabetes may have sweet-smelling urine due to the presence of glucose. Other symptoms of diabetes in dogs include increased thirst, weight loss, and lethargy. Prompt veterinary care is necessary for managing this condition.

What to Do

If you notice a significant change in the smell of your dog's urine or if they exhibit any other concerning symptoms, it's crucial to consult your veterinarian. They can perform a thorough examination, including urine tests, to determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment.

In the meantime, encourage your dog to drink plenty of water to help flush out their system and dilute their urine. Monitor their behavior closely and report any changes to your veterinarian promptly.

Prevention is Key

While some causes of strong-smelling urine, such as UTIs, may be unavoidable, there are steps you can take to help prevent them. Ensure your dog stays hydrated, maintain a balanced diet, and practice good hygiene, including regular grooming and cleaning of their ge***al area.

Closing Thoughts

As responsible dog owners, it's our duty to keep an eye (or nose) out for any changes in our furry friends' health. Strong-smelling urine may be a warning sign of an underlying issue, so it's essential to address it promptly. By staying vigilant and seeking veterinary care when needed, we can help keep our canine companions happy and healthy.

Until next time, keep wagging those tails and giving plenty of belly rubs!

11/04/2024

Seniors Day nothing more special

03/04/2024

It’s the beginning of the month have you checked your dogs feet? Show me a photo :)
Headed up the mountain today to Mystique Mānor to have the boys feet trimmed and nails cut.

19/03/2024

I have been following Susan Garret for 6 years though her courses Recallers, Handling 360 and Agility Nation , and meeting her when she was in Brisbane Just listened to her first free live of 4 and its amazing :) please check it out.i

17/03/2024

Revisiting the poles:)

13/03/2024

Love the seniors , it’s such a honour to treat them. Thomas is 15 years old and has arthritis.

08/03/2024

If your dog has been itching lately and nothing is working, or has pain that you can find, or your dogs coat has changed or your dog isn't playing like they used too then this story is for you. Myofascial Pain

Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a condition which affects the bodies 3D Network of Fascia, a multi dimensional, electricity field generating, ubiquitous tissue that is now becoming considered to be a 2nd Nervous System and is potentially THE most important communication system for the body. When part of this fascia becomes affected the knock on effects to a dogs mobility, character and activity levels can be huge. It connects muscle, bone tendons and organs
It causes pain, stiffness and reduced mobility but can also mimic the symptoms of other diseases such as Arthritis. It is known to hold patterns of emotional memory; for instance in the case of a dog a traumatic experience such as a bereavement, a rehome, or an attack can all produce myofascial issues that you as an owner will often see as nerves and anxiety alongside more common issues such as pain and restricted movement. Fascia helps to support, protect and separate tissues of the body like bone and muscle and immediately is able to affect every cell in the body.

Myofascial Pain in dogs can happen anywhere in the body although one of the most common areas is the Thorax, and it requires direct bodywork to help relieve it or resolve it. Painkillers and traditional NSAIDS often don’t improve dogs with myofascial pain. Massage that encompasses myofascial release however can produce significant and profound changes in your dog

Dogs with Myofascial Pain will show one or more of the following symptoms:

Skin twitching or flinching
Yelping when touched in an area
Sore back legs
Tight skin
They may grimace or have ‘tickly’ spot around the middle of the back (its not a tickly spot at all but more about that later)
Restricted Range Of Motion
Reluctant to petted/groomed
Excessively rolling on their back
Hair flicking up where it hasn’t before
Exaggerated Panniculus Reflex
A nervous or anxious character
A dog that is reluctant to be handled
Why does this happen?

Fascia influences EVERYTHING in the body. It wraps every organ, muscle and bone and when it becomes restricted it becomes dysfunctional.

We’re going to use the analogy of an Orange to help you understand this substance which is everywhere in yours and your dogs body. Think of Fascia like an Orange. The outside skin of the orange is the like the dogs skin, however the dogs skin should slide nicely with the superficial layer of fascia. Think of the superficial fascia like the thicker pith of the orange.

When Myofascial restrictions and pain are present this ‘slide and glide’ action is either reduced or inhibited. The fascia becomes tightened to the skin, increasing nerve and pain sensitivity (hence the twitching of the skin)and clasps down over the muscle inhibiting its natural movement, it can also cause nerve dysfunction, oedema and patterns of pain referral.

But it doesn’t stop there, each segment of the orange is also wrapped in its own sac. So basically a muscle has its own sac made out of fascia. This is called Endomysium. Individual muscles are wrapped and divided by intermuscular fascial septum. These should also slide and glide.

Now, look even further and you will see that within each segment of orange are thousands of individual little segments that hold the juice. This can be likened to a a muscle which is wrapped in fascia (this types is called Endomysium) and then every individual fibre inside it is wrapped again! Its pretty amazing stuff.

It quite literally is the 3D network of your body Whats more if you could extrapolate fascia from the body you would be left with a perfect 3D model of you as it holds contours, features and posture too. When it becomes impeded you will see one of more of the previously listed symptoms.
Why does Fascia in a dog become Dysfunctional?
Reasons for Myofascial Pain in dogs include:

Secondary to Osteoarthritis
As a result of a Strain (tear to a muscle)
Activities of Daily Living eg: Jumping on/off furniture
Anything repetitive eg: high energy ball chasing
‘Body Slamming’ by other dogs
Dehydration or dogs that don’t drink much water
Trigger Points cause Myofascial Pain
Agility Dogs
Impact/Trauma
Natural conformation eg: Hound types are very prone to myofascial issues as are Belgian Shepherd, English Pointers
Convalescence
Old Age
Fascia has been overlooked for a very long time and although it is more common to hear it discussed in the human bodywork world, the canine world has been a little slow to catch on.

Fascia has:

Piezo electric qualities
Its a Proprioceptive system
It transfers nerve impulses (and its been theorised that fascia is the reason that single cell organisms can look for food and escape prey ( Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Charles Scott Sherrington (1857-1952) from 1952’s Man on His Nature.)
It is a non Newtonian fluid that can change properties ie: a therapist is able to change it to a gel rather than a cotton like substance with MFR)
It allows muscles to glide against each other rather than become stuck and restricted
It keeps, or should keep, everything in the body lubricated
Restrictions in fascia can have knock on effects in other distant parts of the body eg: hip pain will cause shoulder pain as the fascial net comes under more tension
It is the largest sensory neuron rich organ in the body

Jan from K9 keewee can help

03/03/2024

Huge Congratulations Julie and Walker
“Hi Jan, just wanted to let you know that Walker had a Lure Trial last night, super happy with how he went. Checked him over for warm spots but nothing, his second run just every bit as good as his first. He gets a rest day today and I’m going to give him a good
massage, will let you know if I find any problems.”

02/03/2024

The power of rest a must read.

Ever 'over thunk' a rest day?

The Power of Rest: Why Recovery Days are Essential for Optimal Canine Health

😍 We love seeing our dogs bound with endless energy, but just like us, they need rest. Scheduling intentional rest days is vital for their overall well-being, allowing their bodies to recover, grow stronger, and prevent injuries. This downtime becomes even more important when combined with active lifestyles or when addressing existing health issues. That's where Galen Myotherapy can be a powerful ally.

Why Rest Matters

🌟Muscle Repair and Growth: Exercise creates tiny tears in muscle fibers. Rest enables these fibers to rebuild and become stronger. Skipping rest can lead to diminished performance and an increased risk of injury. (Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research)

🌟 Nervous System Reset: Continuous training can overtax the nervous system. Rest days allow for proper nervous system recalibration, improving reaction times and coordination.

❤️‍🔥 Reduces Inflammation: Ongoing inflammation can contribute to chronic pain and stiffness. Rest periods help inflammation subside, promoting tissue healing. (Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association)

🌟Mental Decompression: Dogs need mental breaks too! Rest days reduce stress and prevent burnout for a happier, more balanced companion. (Journal of Veterinary Behavior)

🙌 By understanding the delicate interplay between rest and targeted bodywork and using Galen Myotherapy techniques to enhance your dog's natural recovery processes, helps them feel stronger, move more freely, and live their most vibrant life.

Show me your rest and recovery days and how you manage multidog homes 🏡

(My overthinking here was NOT taking mother and daughter out together, which is our normal walk scenario. As you can see they were both absolutely fine.)

28/02/2024

Red was recommended to see me by Donna a hydrotherapist at Canine Cubby with continuing hydrotherapy and Canine Myotherapy its safe to say Red who has a CCL injury is well on the way to recovery. Red also has a very dedicated Mum :)

25/02/2024

Blu came for his 3rd treatment today , his Mum won the Queensland Agility Aust silent auction prize of 3 Canine myotherapy massages with k9keewee. Looking forward to seeing him at his next trial.

21/02/2024

Julie Howarth thankyou for your amazing review.

"I have a very active sporting dog, there was something not quite right with his posture and movement so I booked a consultation with Jan at K9 Keewee. Her wonderful calm, reassuring manner with my “full on” Boxer soon had him willing to accept touch, all the while listening to my concerns and generously sharing her knowledge.
I aim to keep my boy in peak physical condition and could not be happier with the improvement I am seeing after that first visit. Jan’s follow up and support with info, emails and messages is fantastic, I feel so involved in his treatments, I am happy to highly recommend Jan of K9 Keewee."

16/02/2024

Your athletes deserve the best don’t forget to warm them up, cool them down and regular massage Don’t be a weekend warrior.

16/02/2024

The boys are lining up for their massage after agility today Best advice I was ever given by physio Lindsay Connel was to teach my little pocket rocket Toby to lie down and relax