Caledonian VetPhys - Veterinary Physiotherapy

12/08/2024

This is the page for my new venture!

Please like and share!

04/08/2024

Mo and I are at Johnstonebridge Community Centre at their annual dog show. Come down and say hi! We'll be here 12-4 🐾

01/08/2024

05/07/2024

GOOD NEWS ALERT!

If you've been in to see me recently, you will no doubt have heard the news but it feels proper to make an official announcement.

Mo from Solway Canine Hydrotherapy and I will be joining forces in September to open a new rehab centre!

Dumfries Pet Rehab Centre will be out at Heathhall and we will be offering a combination of all of our services plus (hopefully!), some other bits and pieces.

We're hoping to have an open doors day so everyone can come down and have a nosey and our goal is to be up and running in September.

Website, page and updates to follow, so keep an eye out!

We're very excited for this next chapter!
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06/06/2024

I'll be here with Mo from Solway Canine Hydrotherapy and Self Service Dog Wash

Come down and say hello!

26/04/2024

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS OF ARTHRITIS

(This is a long, but worthwhile read!)

‘It’s an old dog’s disease’
- Developmental joint disease (which affects younger dogs) is the leading cause of arthritis. It results in imperfectly fitting joints which leads to early degenerative changes. In turn, this progresses to arthritis, resulting in painful and immobile joints.

‘It’s a disease of the cartilage of a joint’
- Arthritis is a disease that affects all structures within the joint and, if left unmanaged, it can lead to complete joint failure. Coping with arthritis can also lead to compensatory issues in other joints and muscles.

‘My dog isn’t in pain’
- Arthritis causes CHRONIC pain which waxes and wanes and our dogs attempt to cope with it. They are unlikely to yelp or cry out so signs of pain may be subtle.

‘They wouldn’t do it (play, walk, jump around) if they couldn’t’
- It is a myth that dogs will only do what they are comfortable to do. Dogs are not like us – they live in the now and if the now is exciting and fuelled with new smells, new dogs and new balls then they are likely to temporarily ‘forget’ their discomfort.
- When excited and playful, they are likely to overdo it. They also want to please us and enjoy spending time with us, so they may end up walking further than they should and paying for it later! Intervening is important as they often don’t know how much is too much.

‘They’ll be depressed if they don’t get their usual big walk’
- Forcing exercise on a dog in pain will only make things worse. Adapting their exercise to how they are feeling each day is an important way to keep them comfortable.
- Momentary happiness of chasing a ball is not worth your dog having a flare up or being in pain for the rest of the day/week. Choose routes that you can cut short or turn around and come back from, if your dog is having a bad day.
- Arthritic dogs do not always need less exercise but modified, lower impact exercise. For example, a dog previously being exercised twice daily for 20 minutes off-lead may benefit from three 10 minute lead walks, as this helps prevent overexertion and fatigue.

‘Long walks and letting them run is the only way to tire them out and keep them entertained’
- Brainwork, mental stimulation, social time, play, sleep, relaxation, food, chewing and grooming are all really important parts of your dog’s day. Each dog will be motivated by different things. Some dogs will be particularly happy being given a tennis ball to chew, some are more treat and food motivated, some prefer interaction and cuddles.
- Inclusion of problem-solving and exploratory tasks maintains cognitive function, (particularly important in older dogs), and builds confidence and helps reduce anxiety.
Teaching them tricks and playing games is a great way to engage their brains and spend some time bonding with your dog.
- Taking them to new places and letting them sniff will engage their brain and tire them out more quickly than a run in the park.

If you'd like some advice regarding arthritis in dogs, please get in touch! 🐾

23/04/2024

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?
Arthritis (also known as osteoarthritis or ‘OA’) is the most common cause of chronic pain in dogs.

It affects up to 80% of dogs over the age of 8 years and potentially up to 35% of dogs of ALL ages.

It is a disabling, non-curable and progressive disease which initially focus on moving joints but eventually affects the whole dog and it is a major cause of euthanasia due to the loss of quality of life.

CAUSES OF ARTHRITIS
There are many reasons dogs get arthritis and most of them are not your fault.
- Some breeds are genetically predisposed to developing arthritis as their joints do not form perfectly when they are young.
i.e. Normal forces on abnormal joints – breeds that develop joint defects such as elbow or hip dysplasia and cruciate disease.

- Some breeds are more likely to get arthritis due to the lifestyle they lead.
i.e. Abnormal forces on normal joints - Joint injuries or diseases sustained during active or competitive sports due to repetitive, high impact exercise or being overweight.

- Arthritis can also be due to traumatic injuries such as falls and crashes, due to infections that get into the joint or disease such as immune-mediated arthritis.

Canine Arthritis Management (https://caninearthritis.co.uk/) are a phenomenal resource for finding out more about arthritis in your pet.

If your dog has recently been diagnosed with arthritis, or you think they might be suffering with it, please get in touch! 🐾

16/04/2024

Is My Dog Too Fat?

Ensuring that your dog is a healthy weight is one of your most important jobs as their owner!

You are the one who feeds your dog, who has a say in what others feed them and who can prevent or limit scavenging behaviours.

Obesity predisposes dogs to other health issues alongside arthritis, including diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. Maintaining a healthy weight is important as a normal joint with an abnormal load (i.e. increased bodyweight) has the potential to become a diseased joint.

A study looking at a group of Labradors fed 25% less food over their lifespan found that these dogs had lower body fat, had later onset of diseased and lived statistically LONGER than dogs fed an unrestricted diet.

Weight management is an essential free of charge ‘pain relieving treatment’ for dogs with arthritis.

While it can be hard to put an exact number on the ideal weight for your dog, using a body condition score chart can help keep you right.

If you have been advised that your dog should lose weight or you are concerned that they are a bit heavy, please get in touch for advice and tips and tricks on how to succeed. 🐾

08/04/2024

What can I do to help my senior dog at home?

Dogs are just like us, as they get older they are more prone to health conditions such as arthritis and changes to their hearing and eyesight. They can find it harder to move around at home but there are several simple changes you can make that will improve things for them greatly.

These include:
- putting rugs or runners down on slippy floors
- block free access to the stairs - only allow them to go up/down stairs when you are there to support them to reduce the risk of falls
- raise their food and drink bowls
- put a non-slip mat in the spot they stand to eat and drink
- manage their weight
- go on shorter, more frequent walks
- put a coat/jumper on your dog when it is cold or wet

There are many ways to support an older dog in your home. If you have any questions or would like any advice, please get in touch! 🐾
- use a ramp/steps to get in and out the car

04/04/2024

Is My Dog In Pain?

The answer is that it can be hard to tell, unless you know what you are looking for.

Many owners think that because their dog doesn't cry out and still chases a ball that they can't possibly be sore. However, this is often not the case!

Dogs are very stoic animals and will do their best to hide any signs of pain and discomfort. They also love spending time with us and so will happily come on a long walk, regardless of any pain they might have. During high energy activities, such as ball-chasing or playing with other dogs, adrenaline kicks in and allows the dog to 'ignore' their pain and so it isn't until they've slowed down and had a rest that they are aware of how sore they are.

So, what are some common signs of pain in dogs?
- Limping
- Sloppy sits
- Takes longer to jump in/out of the car or up onto the couch
- Being grumpier or more wary around other dogs and people
- Less playful
- Reduced appetite
- More time sleeping
- Less time spent with the rest of the household, spending more time on their own
- Reluctant to be stroked or brushed
- They are more worried/anxious

There are so many more signs that can tell us that a dog is sore and it can vary a lot between individual dogs. Learning what is 'normal' for your dog and then keeping an eye out for any changes can give you a heads up to any possible issues and help resolve them sooner rather than later! 🐾

11/03/2024

Does my dog need physiotherapy?

- Have they recently had surgery on a leg or their spine?
- Are they slowing down as they get older?
- Do they compete in agility or other sporting activities?
- Have they been diagnosed with hip/elbow dysplasia, arthritis, intervertebral disc disease or another orthopaedic condition?
- Have you been told they need to lose weight?
- Have you noticed them limping?

These are just a few of the reasons a dog may benefit from laser therapy or physiotherapy. If you think your dog could use some treatment or you'd like some more information, please get in touch!

11/03/2024

07/03/2024

What Are The Benefits of Physiotherapy?

- Reduce pain and discomfort
- Alleviate swelling and inflammation
- Ease movement and improve confidence and well-being
- Improve joint range of motion, proprioception and flexibility
- Aid optimal recovery following injury or surgery
- Increase muscle mass pre- and post-surgery
- Gait re-education
- Providing support for arthritic and elderly animals
- Maintaining and improving athletic performance

Get in touch if you think your pet could benefit from physiotherapy! 🐾

04/03/2024

What Is Veterinary Physiotherapy?

Veterinary physiotherapy is a complementary therapy that can be used alongside veterinary treatment to help maximise an animals recovery following injury or surgery, or to assist in the long-term management of a variety of physical conditions.

Where your vet might use pharmaceuticals or surgery to treat a neurological or musculoskeletal condition, a veterinary physiotherapist will use a combination of physical methods, such as massage, laser therapy and prescribed exercise. These methods can assist in rehabilitation by reducing pain and improving movement and function.

If you think your pet may benefit from veterinary physiotherapy, please get in touch! 🐾

01/03/2024

Laser therapy is one of the services that I offer.

What is laser therapy?
A drug and side-effect free treatment that has been scientifically proven to help alleviate your pet's aches and pains.

How does it work?
Laser therapy uses red light to target damaged cells and speeds up their regeneration. It also increases local circulation which helps to flush in good stuff and flush away pain and inflammatory markers.

Why choose laser therapy?
It has been scientifically proven to be effective in treating post-surgical pain and many acute and chronic conditions, particularly osteoarthritis.

The treatment is non-invasive, easy, safe and soothing for your pet. Results are often quick to be noticed and easily maintained.

For more information on the mechanism and benefits of laser therapy, please visit www.LiteCureInfo.com/PetRelief.

To find out if laser therapy may benefit your pet, please get in touch.
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26/02/2024

Many of you have known me a long time, but for those of you that don't, I thought I'd introduce myself.

My name is Fiona and I was born and raised in Dumfries. I went off to Edinburgh for university and ended up staying there for 9 years. Whilst in Edinburgh, I began studying for a Masters degree Veterinary Physiotherapy. I had to travel to Writtle University College in Essex, as this was the easiest course to get to - luckily the course was part time! I qualified in 2018 and then took a bit of time to work a 'normal' job and recover from all the traveling/studying.

After the first lockdown in 2020, I decided that I needed to do something with my veterinary physiotherapy degree and so I moved back to Dumfries and started my business down here!

Things have slowly gone from strength to strength and I've developed good relationships with local vets and dog owners.

I run appointments from my space in Dumfries town centre all day on a Monday and a Friday, and on a Thursday evening. I spend the rest of my working week in Glasgow, working in a busy canine rehabilitation centre.

If you've any questions about veterinary physiotherapy and if it is right for your pet, please get in touch!

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11/02/2024

I haven't disappeared!

My account was hacked and then disabled, so I'm having to start fresh. I'd be really grateful if you could like and share my page so I can get things going again!

🐾🐾🐾

11/02/2024

Having lost my previous page, I've set up a new one! Hopefully I get to keep this one...🐾