Bam testing out the new kit from Big Bang Dog Training All new equipment arrived in record time ready for the next Strong Dog Squad conditioning class on Monday. Safety is always my number 1 priority and the dense rubber crumb on these blocks reduces joint impact and provides a stable, non-slip surface to train on.
Slow, simple movements can tell us SO MUCH about your dog’s biomechanics and imbalances.
Although head turns look basic they incorporate so many things:
Neck and spinal flexibility
Core stability
Ability to shift weight from different limbs.
Difficulty with any of these things with mean your dog will struggle to perform the exercise correctly.
Dogs will often fix their tail in specific positions to use those muscles to compensate for weakness elsewhere.
Getting the right set up is everything! These videos were taken within minutes of each other. Little tweaks can put our dogs in a position to EXCEL 💪
♿️ Udo update ♿️
When I see patients with spinal cord injuries the primary aim is often to get them back walking, sadly for Udo that is unlikely to happen.
However there are many other things that we can work on to keep him happy, healthy and comfortable in his wheels.
Working on his postural stability, range of movement, spinal mobility and strength are hugely valuable and Udo continues to make amazing progress in these areas.
I am always blown away by Udo’s unwavering optimism and his lovely owner’s steadfast determination to do her absolute best for her boy, they are both hugely inspiring to work with and a testament to what can be achieved with a bit of hard work and unwavering love.
Today marks a whole year since the first official South West Vet Physio appointment 🎂🥂🍾 Huge thank you to everyone who has supported me on the journey so far especially Active Agility Events and Fun Shows for allowing me to attend their events, Orchard Vets, Glastonbury where my clinic space is based, Anna Widget's Farm for providing a space for my conditioning classes, ACPAT - The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy for the mentorship, profession support and CPD, every single person who has recommended me to a friends- it is honestly invaluable. And finally to my clients who have trusted me with their pets- I understand exactly how much your dog’s mean to you and their care is my utmost priority. Here’s to many more years of caring for dogs 🥂If off to celebrate with a dog walk 🐶
Why do a warm up? Because warm tendons are flexible tendons! 🔥
Interested in a WARM, DRY, MUD-FREE way to exercise your dog this winter with strength and conditioning exercises proven to improve performance and reduce injury risk?
Drop me a message to be added to the waiting list for the next course!
🏆Just received an amazing surprise in my inbox this morning…. South West Vet Physio has been selected and APPROVED for the GBBRB BEST BUSINESS IN BRITAIN LIST 2024 🤯😱
I had no idea I had even been entered and the nomination was anonymous so a huge thank you to whoever you are 🥰🥰🥰
This business is my absolute passion and dream and to receive recognition like this when I’ve been trading for less than a year is amazing. Thank you as always to everyone who has ever supported me and of course to all my wonderful clients- you are all a joy to work with! 🍾
✨ ‘Tracking Up’ ✨
🐾 One of the easiest things to spot on a gait assessment is your dog’s foot placement.
‘Tracking up’ means the hind paw reaches the foot print of the corresponding front paw.
🩻 The reach of the hind paw can fall short of this for many reasons: stiffness in the spine, pelvis or hindlimb, weakness in the glutes, quadriceps or hamstrings, pelvic instability or facial tightness.
🦴 Cali has been experiencing pain, stiffness and gait abnormalities after undergoing a TPLO after rupturing her cranial cruciate ligament.
💪 Here she is demonstrating a huge improvement in many aspects of her gait including tracking up beautifully! We managed to achieve this in just 10 days while also reducing her pain medication.
💆♀️ Her treatment plan has included massage, LASER therapy, home modifications and exercise alteration.
