Paws in Motion Canine Rehabilitation

11/06/2025

Smaller dogs require thinking outside the box sometimes because a lot of the equipment is designed for larger dogs. But we can always get creative!!

11/06/2025

11/03/2025

Looks like it could be interesting ……. And it’s free!!!!!

Secure your free spot!

11/01/2025

They don’t understand why they are having to wait an extra hour for their meals, walks etc. There’s definitely no chance of an extra hour sleep in my house!!

10/31/2025

If we can train wolves to do it, we can train our dogs to do it!!!

10/22/2025

This study has got me thinking! We know there are ground reaction forces and eccentric muscle work associated with impact and activities that involve descending. And any research into preventing canine injuries is good, and they raise some very valid points here.

But how many dogs go down the stairs with their head up in the air like this?? I know mine don’t, except for probably the bottom step where they transition from the stairs to the flat ground. Next time your dog goes down stairs watch them and let me know!

🚨 Stairs add A LOT of stress to the canine body!!

In this sketch, we can see a large-breed dog descending relatively low, wide steps, and we can clearly see

🔎 The front weight-bearing paw is splayed and flattened, the carpus has dropped, and the thoracic sling is collapsing into a deep “V” at the cervicothoracic junction. All of this shows us just how much force is being transmitted through the limb - and that the limb and thoracic sling isn’t strong enough to support it!

📉 The lumbar spine is kyphotic, the pelvis is flexed and rotated, and the dog is rotating through the spine to achieve the high degrees of limb flexion required for stair descent. These are classic compensation patterns - and they are not what we want to see. Yet, this is how many dogs navigate stairs every single day in their homes.

💡 Research backs this up.
Two key studies demonstrate how stair navigation dramatically changes musculoskeletal demands compared with ramps or slopes:

👉Carr et al., 2013, Exercises in canine physical rehabilitation: Range of motion of the forelimb during stair and ramp ascent. Journal of Small Animal Practice 54(8):409–413.

👉Millard et al., 2010, Kinematic analysis of the pelvic limbs of healthy dogs during stair and decline slope walking. American Journal of Veterinary Research 71(7):734–740.

These studies show that stairs require significantly greater joint flexion and ROM - and therefore greater muscular effort - than incline walking. That increased demand can overload the thoracic sling, carpal stabilisers, lumbar spine, and cervicothoracic junction, especially in dogs with existing pathology or insufficient strength.

👩‍⚕️ How we help as Vetrehabbers:
1. ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES:
🚪Restrict access to stairs for vulnerable dogs - especially large-breed puppies, those with elbow or hip dysplasia, cruciate disease, IVDD, spondylosis, or LS stenosis.
2. EXERCISE
💪 Incorporate targeted strengthening and conditioning before dogs navigate stairs.
🏋️‍♂️ Teach correct technique and posture to reduce compensations and repetitive micro-trauma.

🦴And if this much load is being placed on a large dog, imagine what a small dog experiences as they jump up and down each step. Supervision, strength, and control are not optional - they’re essential for preventing injury.

📆 At the Vet Rehab Summit on 8 November, experts like Anna Lee Sanders, Jana Gams, and Arielle Pechette Markley will dive deep into how we prepare our patients for these real-world challenges - using movement itself as medicine.

10/08/2025

I am thrilled with how this brace is working for this boy. He injured his wrist severely chasing a chipmunk, and his new custom WIMBA brace is supporting his leg beautifully!

10/08/2025

It was great to catch up with this guy the other weekend! He’s all grown up now!! We decided a while ago that a wheelchair would give him the best chance of walking independently, and he’s adapted to it so well!!!

08/29/2025

It's vacation time!!! I am on vacation until September 20th. I will be checking emails but may be a little slower to reply.

08/28/2025

Shoulder tendinopathy is something we often see in very active or sporting dogs, and can be a frustrating thing to treat. The god news is that research is showing conservative treatment can be as effective / or more effective than surgery.

https://onlinepethealth.com/supraspinatus-biceps-tendinopathies-dogs/?fbclid=IwZnRzaAMdakxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHtSW2Z5uBgaWhNruUes5PZbun_QkvmzAlJyFsTx5nPmQlo4UmDbmN3WS6cVa_aem_qq7pur_MXDFAGoHfCjLckg

Supraspinatus and biceps tendinopathies are pathologies of the tendons of the shoulder in dogs. They usually occur in active, large dogs as chronic injuries.

08/26/2025

It’s National Dog Day!!!! Share a picture of the dogs in your life 😍.

08/09/2025

It’s guess the breed / breed mix time!!!! What do you think this lovely girl is???