Lara Coghlan - Veterinary Chiropractor - MSc MMAA MRAMP

06/01/2025

It’s very important to keep on top of dog nail length

✨Nail Length & the Effects on your Dogs Posture✨

🤫 Are your dogs nails too long? If so, this can pose a risk to your dogs quality of life, altering posture, joint angulation, range of motion in their joints which can lead to compensatory musculoskeletal issues.

The Images on the left, illustrate well maintained nails. Whist the images in the right illustrate nails that are too long.

Notice with the nails that are too long. You can see a shift caudally (backwards) in the pad and you will often see a splayed foot, causing a lack of traction, which may lead to tendon/ligament damage, pain, and eventually osteoarthritis. This can also adversely alter posture, joint angulation, range of motion and biomechanics & the gait (how your dog moves) of your dog, leading to compensatory musculoskeletal issues.

Nail length can be checked by observing if your dogs nails are touching the ground when they stand and also by listening to your dog walking on a hard surface and if you can hear a tapping sound, then your dogs nails are likely to be too long. If you are in any doubt, or if you’re nervous about cutting your dogs nails, consider taking your dog to a professional dog groomers.

Please read a very interesting blog from Caninebodybalance - thank you
https://caninebodybalance.com.au/journal/canine-nail-length-and-the-effects-on-biomechanics

and thank you to Touch Animal Rehabilitation for the info & the photos
https://www.touchanimal.com/blogs/2020/2/7/the-importance-of-regular-nail-trimming

03/01/2025

Book a block of three sessions to get your dog fully prepared and in tip top condition 🏵️

03/01/2025

Back with a Bang!

Crufts bookings are already filling fast - get in touch to secure yourself a prime slot in the run up to the big event!!!!

20/12/2024

Oh okay just one more before I go! Shout out to my very last client of the year ~ the very handsome and super cuddly Smoulder (we probably spent more time cuddling than treating 😂). At just four months Smoulder receives regular check ins to make sure he doesn’t develop any asymmetry as he grows

20/12/2024

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2025 with your four legged friends.

Looking forward to catching up with all my clients in the new year after a well earned break - keep your eyes peeled for another crufts offer 🏵️

19/12/2024

Peter having a moment to process during his treatment 💤

10/12/2024

Love it when my clients return the favour 😉

02/12/2024

26/11/2024

I can highly recommend India 😄

19/11/2024

When your favourite girl “Drama” comes for a treatment 💜

04/11/2024

I have new availability for the last two weeks of November - get your four legged friends booked in before the madness of Christmas kicks in!!

31/10/2024

Who can guess the breed of this handsome boy “Winter” 🤔 💭

15/10/2024

Lunch break demands from my little pack 🥰

09/10/2024

India has just set up her own pet sitting business, she is extremely experienced with dogs having grown up with them, and she has had regular involvement in breeding and puppies which makes her an excellent option for your pet sitting needs 😃 fully trustworthy and already booked to look after my pack 🤩

Pets & pads offers pet sitting services, walking services, house sitting services, from the Midlands and other surrounding areas too. Fully insured.
Drop me a email or message for more details of pricing and bookings.

09/10/2024

A sunny afternoon out treating horses today 🥰☀️ here is the gorgeous Quin enjoying some post treatment face rubs!

09/09/2024

Aga is well and truly up on his feet now and gaining strength every day, so a chance to properly meet some of his ladies and babies while visiting today 🥰😍

02/09/2024

Things to look out for that may indicate your dog is in pain and needs to see the vet or come and see me for a treatment

September is Animal Pain Awareness Month!

Animals suffer from pain, just like humans do!
Pain comes in many forms, arthritis, surgical pain and cancer related pain, just to name a few.

Acute pain is obvious and distressing, however, Chronic pain can be subtle and masked as ‘getting old’ or ‘slowing down.’ Old age is not a disease, but pain is!

Some common signs your pet is in pain can include:
🐾 Decreased activity
🐾 Not wanting to go up or down stairs
🐾 Reluctance to jump up onto surfaces
🐾 Difficulty standing after laying down
🐾 Over grooming or licking a particular area
🐾 Decreased appetite

There are many options available to treat the various causes of pain in your pets including:
🩺 Pain medications
🩺 Physical rehabilitation
🩺 Acupuncture
🩺 Laser Therapy
🩺 Therapeutic massage

If you suspect your pet is in pain then it is best to book in and see one our Vets for a consultation!

21/08/2024

Flynn felt relaxed enough today to give some lovely releases which he hasn’t been able to do before. Think he will be feeling much better after his treatment today 🥰