CW Clinical Canine Massage

29/12/2024

And so we edge ever closer to a brand new year.

For CWCCM, appointment availability will unfortunately be massively reduced whilst I head into my final year of the Masters in McTimoney Chiropractic (humans) which includes treating patients in clinic twice a week in Oxford for a full year.

Please bear with me as response times may be slow but I am still accepting clients where I can.

I hope you and your dogs had a great Christmas and embrace the endless possibilities of the new year x

16/10/2024

Two years ago this happened.

Two years on I’ve evened up and sliced the top of my index finger on the left hand!

Apologies to those clients I’ve had to postpone. Looking forward to seeing you next week instead.

Slight mishap putting a halt on all proceedings for a short while.

See you all again very soon!

24/08/2024

Finally a law has been passed for up to 5 years imprisonment for people who steal dogs and cats.

It’s not much for our furry family friends but it is recognition of how important our pets are to us at last and a far cry from the ludicrous decision that they are not sentient beings.

30/07/2024

Very interesting

Over the past couple of years, some of you may have heard of the Cambridge Vet School non-surgical IVDD study. The results have just been published. It’s a great write-up and quite groundbreaking!

Dogs unable to walk due to disc extrusion (IVDD) were cared for WITHOUT surgery. They had an MRI scan at the start of the study and another MRI scan after 12 weeks. These scans helped to make the diagnosis, and they also showed how compressed (squashed) the spinal cord was in each case.

The big questions were:
❓How many of these dogs would start walking again without having had surgery?
❓How compressed was each dog’s spinal cord at the start of the study?
❓Were they still just as compressed at the end of the study, 12 weeks later?

Results were interesting and included the following:
✅Out of the dogs that had deep pain sensation, NEARLY ALL of them (49 of 51 dogs, 96%) started walking again within 12 weeks. Most of them walked much sooner than this.
✅Out of those with NO deep pain sensation, nearly half of them (10 of 21 dogs, 48%) started walking again within 12 weeks. That’s WITHOUT surgery.
✅Spinal cord compression reduced in some dogs over the 12 week study period. That’s despite not having had surgery to remove the disc material that caused this compression.
✅Many dogs started walking again despite the fact that their spinal cord was still compressed, ie ‘Recovery was not dependent on the resolution of compression’

💛The authors concluded that if spinal surgery isn’t possible as it’s not available in the area or is too expensive, non-surgical management is a valid alternative.

There’s plenty of detail in the write-up, and it’s free for all to read or download via this link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jvim.17149

Many thanks to Jep for this photo

06/03/2024

Did you know:
If you have a pacemaker, you can put it in your Will to have your pacemaker donated to a dog in need after you pass. Pacemakers cannot be donated to another human, but they can be donated to dogs with cardiac issues who would depend on it to stay alive.
You can have the pacemaker brought to a vet of your choice. So many of those get thrown away and dogs die because people don't know they can do this. It even saves the dog's owner the cost of the actual pacemaker which sometimes means the difference in being able to afford lifesaving treatment or not.

05/02/2024

04/01/2024

Back to business and a brand new sparkly year ahead.

Exciting news! I’m expecting to be able to welcome new clients again from the summer. This makes me very happy!

In the meantime I’m looking forward to catching up with existing clients and expanding skills and knowledge to benefit your dogs.

Here’s wishing you a happy and fulfilling new year!

15/12/2023

Merry Christmas to clients past, present and future.

May those that have left us twinkle bright among the stars forever loved and remembered.

I wish you all a happy, relaxed and comfortable holiday with your loved ones.

08/12/2023

In addition to the below, muscular issues can also be caused through cold weather.

Your dogs nervous system triggers ‘vasoconstriction’, the restriction of blood flow to the skin to prevent heat loss. The muscles contract causing tightness, aches and stiffness. This can reduce your dogs range of motion, pinch on nerve structures and result in trigger points and discomfort.

Keep your dog warm and comfortable this winter, particularly if they are very young or senior as these dogs find it harder to regulate their body temperature.

Why not get them booked in with your local Guild therapist to check on those muscles.

Cold weather can exacerbate certain dog illnesses and conditions. Here are some examples:
🔸Arthritis and Joint Pain: Cold temperatures can increase joint stiffness and discomfort, making conditions like arthritis more challenging for dogs.
🔸Respiratory Issues: Dogs with respiratory conditions, such as asthma or bronchitis, may experience worsened symptoms in cold weather due to the dry and chilly air.
🔸Hypothyroidism: Dogs with hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones, may struggle more in cold weather as their metabolism is already slowed.
🔸Cardiovascular Conditions: Cold weather can strain the cardiovascular system, and dogs with heart conditions may find it harder to regulate their body temperature.
🔸Circulatory Problems: Dogs with circulatory issues, like peripheral artery disease, may experience more significant challenges in maintaining proper blood flow to extremities in cold weather.
🔸Compromised Immune Systems: Dogs with weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to respiratory infections or other illnesses during colder months.
🔸Senior Dog Health Issues: Older dogs, in general, may find it more difficult to cope with the cold due to conditions such as arthritis, diminished immune function, and reduced mobility.
🔸Certain Skin Conditions: Cold weather can exacerbate dry and itchy skin conditions in dogs, especially those prone to allergies or dermatitis.

It's essential for dog owners to be aware of their pet's health conditions and take preventive measures during cold weather. Providing warmth, ensuring proper shelter, and adjusting care routines can help mitigate the impact of cold weather on dogs with pre-existing health issues. If you have concerns about your dog's health in cold weather, consult with your veterinarian for personalised advice and care recommendations.

06/12/2023

Even Santa knows the benefits of a massage with a Guild therapist! See how it could benefit your dog by looking up your local therapist and booking in.

Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄 🎅 🤶

25/10/2023

We passed our external audit with the leading awarding body LANTRA with flying colours! Over 8 hours of teaching observation and policy assessment by Lantra EQA (External Quality Assurance) has ensured that we are:

- Robust in our procedures and policies
- Transparent and fair in our internal student assessments
- Fit for purpose for the delivery of our ground breaking canine
massage vocational course
- Consistent and comprehensive in the fairness of IQA (internal
Quality Assurance)
- Compliant in regulatory standards as set out by LANTRA who
are regulated by OFQUAL

The Clinical Canine Massage Practitioner Programme is in it's successful 12th year of delivery and we offer the most comprehensive course in the world with our ground breaking 2 year course which teaches 60 techniques over 4 disciplines of massage (Swedish/sports/myofascial release/ deep tissue) as well as the internationally recognised Lenton Method which was the first method of canine massage to be clinically trialled by Wi******er University with results published in the peer reviewed journal 'Vet Record' published by the British Veterinary Journal.

Our learners also have a route to practice through the association Canine Massage Guild which also boasts the pioneering educational project the' Integrated Veterinary Care Initiative' to bridge the gap between veterinary practice and complementary therapy as well as the most extensive register of practising clinical canine massage therapists.

We also offer a further 12 Continuing Professional Development courses and further career progression to therapists who have trained with us AND our Workshop Instructor Programme , enabling therapists to deliver our flagship workshops Beginners Guide to Canine Massage as well as Pre & Post Event Massage all over the world and online.

We love what we do and are committed to all who train with us

www.k9-massage.co.uk
www.k9-massageguild.co.uk
www.LANTRA.co.uk

Picture: Left: Debbie the EQA from LANTRA, and right, Natalie Lenton, Director of Canine Massage Therapy Centre and Founder of Canine Massage Guild

06/10/2023

Hands up who uses HRT? Definitely me!