Browns Veterinary Physiotherapy

29/08/2024

I have something new planned for September!

14/08/2024

If you are looking for a fun way to engage your dog's nose, why not check out the The Creative Canine who has lots to offer.

As I think you are all aware now I am currently in the process of rebranding with a new Logo; it's a very exciting time and I'm really looking forward to getting the new Logo out there!

I have also had new flyers and business cards designed and printed and I now need to distribute them around my local areas ☺️

I'm going to ask a bit of a favour of you all.....if you are a business or you know of a business that would be happy to take some of my flyers and/or cards please let me know. 🤞 The more I can spread the word that I'm here to help and have fun with your dogs the more it helps my little business grow 😍🐾

I'm going to be driving around over the next few days to meet, ask and deliver these around to local businesses, so keep your eyes for me 🐾😍

🐾🐕

07/08/2024

As some of you may have noticed, I have been a bit quiet on social media for a few weeks, and it has been great 🤣. There is a reason for the silence though which is because I have recently taken in a wee doggie that needs a bit more support than most, as she is blind and has had spinal injury/issue and is very wobbly on her legs.

So, I would like to introduce you all to this special girl shortly! But firstly I wanted to share this great post on separation anxiety and general anxiety and if you need help then why not look at Paws & Minds for more advice and information on how you can help your pooch.

Keep an eye out for my special new girl!!

Separation Distress/Anxiety

I was having a conversation over the weekend with a friend who was worried that their dog has Separation Anxiety.

What we talked through and put into place to discover more information reminded me it could be helpful to share the following, in case anyone else is worried about this too:

Separation Distress/Anxiety, and behaviours that may look very similar, can be incredibly debilitating for both the dog and their guardians.

It can be very upsetting, and is often wrongly dismissed as something the dog will simply ‘get over’.

Determining whether a dog is suffering with Separation Distress/Anxiety, or another separation related issue isn’t straight forward. It is a complex subject area.

Dog behaviour choices often aren't linked to situations in the ways we might think are logical.

There are many factors to consider and rule out before a diagnosis of Separation Distress/Anxiety can genuinely be made.

Behaviours associated with Separation Distress/Anxiety like howling, barking and destruction can be indicators of other issues.

Even if they are only occurring when guardians are absent.

I can work with you to determine if there are other reasons for your dog's behaviour choices.

If Separation Distress/Anxiety is concluded I can refer you on to professionals who can officially diagnose the condition, and experts in treating Separation Distress/Anxiety with a structured and supportive approach.

If you're worried because your dog is having trouble remaining calm and settled whilst you're out, send me a message to arrange a chat about ways to get help.

Tara
Paws & Minds
🐾🧠

18/07/2024

How many of us have booked an appointment to see the Doctor, and then as we are about go to the Doctor, you suddenly feel better. For those of us with horses again, you call the vet because your horse is lame, and when the vet arrives, your horse's lameness has miraculously disappeared!

The same applies to our canine friends, going to the vet is a stressful experience for some and although you may have noticed some lameness/limping/pain symptoms, you can guarantee that the minute you walk through the reception door, you dog is no longer lame or limping. If your dog, like most, finds the vets stressful, adrenaline takes over and can mask any pain, and subsequently your pet looks sound!

Why not try some of the suggestions in this brilliant post written by Parker and Pooch - Dog Training & Solo Walks about the importance of working with a professional to identify pain in your dog, and some of the issues you may encounter, and how to navigate them.

So, off the back of last week’s post - let’s say that you’ve now got that little niggling thought in your head: “Maybe my dog is in pain…?”

So what do you do now?

Your first port of call is probably going to be a visit to the vets for a full vet check, but let’s hold fire for one second.

The vets can be a stressful place for a lot of dogs, and if that’s the case for your dog - as I mentioned before - adrenaline and cortisol will be coursing through their bloodstream, overriding any sensation of pain.

So the underlying cause of pain will still be there, but in that setting they won't be feeling as much, or even any pain. And so they're unlikely to show many physical signs of pain, even if thoroughly assessed.

Which means it can be really difficult for your vet to be able to see that anything is wrong, much less be able to diagnose the root cause of chronic pain in a 10 or 15 minute check up.

[Now you might be thinking… well what's the point of going then? 🤔 But the next step to identifying what's going for your dog is probably going to be one of three things: a pain trial, a referral to a veterinary physiotherapist, or some sort of imaging scan ie x-rays, CT etc. And none of those are going to happen without an initial vet visit]

So, help your vets out… the more prepared you are for your appointment, and the more specific you can be about your concerns, the more they can help you.

✅️ Take videos or photos of your dog, to capture anything you've spotted in terms of how they walk, how they hold themselves etc. You can show these to your vet to illustrate how your dog moves naturally when they're not in a stressful environment.

(And before you ask, yes, I have taken a video of Alice pooing before now. And no, the neighbours didn't ask what I was doing. They know me as the crazy dog lady already 🤣)

✅️ Keep a diary to track symptoms, be that behaviour or physical changes. This can help your vet to get a wider view of what's going on for your dog.

✅️ Make a list before you go of all the things you want to cover. I know from personal experience that it’s very easy to know exactly what you want to say in an appointment, and then for your mind to go completely blank when you get in there 🙈

So write down all the little quirks that are creating your suspicions about pain, all the questions you want to ask, and what you want to get out of the appointment ie your next step.

✅️ You can even email some or all of the above to your vets ahead of your appointment, so you can make the most of your time with them.

Now I said your first port of call is “probably” going to be a visit to the vets, rather than “definitely” going to be a visit to the vets.

Because it might be that you can’t even contemplate taking your dog to the vets 🫣 They’re too scared or stressed. Maybe the last time you braved it, it was a complete car crash, and you really don’t want to put your dog and yourself through that again.

If this is the case, speak to your vets and see how they can support you:

▶️ Can they see your dog in the car park?

▶️ Can they make adjustments so that you can get into the building: Can you come in via the back door so you avoid the waiting room? Can you have an appointment at the quietest time of day? Can you wait in the car park until the vet is ready and you can go straight into the consulting room?

▶️ Can you build up to an appointment gradually? By first getting your dog used to the car park, then entering the reception area, just hanging around eating treats, and gradually work your way up to an actual appointment?

Even if it’s still a no go with all of the above, don’t worry - you still have options!

▶️ You can have a phone call appointment. Or you could attend an appointment without your dog. Either way, you can share videos and photos of your dog, and discuss your concerns with the vet.

Your vet will probably still need to see your dog afterwards, but either of these mean that you can have a good discussion and get all your points across, without also having to worry about how your dog is coping.

▶️ Or something else to consider is a Dynamic Dog assessment. This is completed entirely hands off, and so can be done virtually. It's a thorough analysis of gait and posture, with consideration of behaviour and daily activities of your dog.

Your Dynamic Dog Practitioner will provide you with a detailed report that you can share with your vet, and they can then support you through appointments and help you advocate for your dog. (I’ll pop a link in the comments for where you can find out more about Dynamic Dog).

Hopefully, based on all your input, your vet is going to take your concerns seriously and recommend one of the following:

⭐️ Further investigation via x-rays, CT scan etc, depending on the suspected condition

⭐️ A pain trial: This is where your vet prescribes pain medication for a period of time, so you can monitor whether there is any change to your dog’s symptoms/signs once they’re on pain relief.

This needs to be longer than a week or two, 4 to 6 weeks as a minimum. Sometimes painkillers can take time to build up in the dog’s system and to take effect. Also, if a dog has been in pain for a considerable amount of time, they may continue to hold themselves or move themselves in compensating ways even after the pain has gone away, because that’s what they’ve become accustomed to doing, to minimise the pain.

Keeping a diary during the pain trial can be really useful, as it means that you can be more objective about whether the meds are making any difference or not, especially when the symptoms were subtle to begin with.

Also, it’s important to note that just like in humans, different medications target different types of pain. Typically anti-inflammatory meds would initially be prescribed for a pain trial, but just because your dog doesn’t respond to the first meds you try, that doesn’t mean they’re not in pain. Perserving with further trials with different types of pain relief might be what's needed to find out what's actually going on.

⭐️ Or referral to a veterinary physiotherapist: a physio assessment is far longer than a vet appointment and therefore they can explore and investigate more thoroughly than is possible in a vet check. A physio will check joint motion, gait and posture analysis, muscle mass, and much more besides.

So what do you do if you don’t get a satisfactory response from your vets?

❌️ what if your vet says it’s a training or behavioural issue, not a medical one?

❌️ what if your vet prescribes behaviour medication, not pain medication?

❌️ what if your vet says the things you’ve noticed are normal for your dog, or their breed?

❌️ what if your vet won’t try a pain trial, won’t give you a referral to a physiotherapist, or won’t consider further investigations?

❌️ ultimately, what if your vet says your dog isn’t in pain?

If you're not happy with the response from your vet, you are absolutely entitled to seek a second opinion. You could ask to see a different vet at the same practice, or you could see a vet at another practice.

If you are working with a trainer or behaviourist, they may be more than happy to accompany you on a vet visit to help you advocate for your dog.

Legally, only a vet can diagnose a medical condition in a dog (or any other animal). But a vet cannot diagnose that a dog ISN’T in pain. Only the dog knows whether they’re in pain or not.

And unfortunately they can’t tell us in words. But if they’re telling us in other ways, it's essential that we listen to them ❤️

12/07/2024

This is a great post about identifying pain and how as owners pain signs can sometimes be missed or overlooked because they have always been there. This post is written by https://www.facebook.com/ParkerAndPoochDogServices

Have you ever noticed any of these signs?

So let’s talk about pain…

I preface all this by saying, no-one wants to think that their dog is in pain.

But it’s better to know and be able to do something about it, than be unaware as to what might really be going on for your dog.

I know this first hand, from us not realising for a long time that Alice was in pain - hers was muscular pain, tense overworked muscles in her hindquarters, from having to compensate for her missing front leg.

She came to us already three-legged, and when we first worked with a trainer, they suggested she might benefit from regular physio to mitigate any issues that might arise over time from her amputation.

Unfortunately our vets at the time told us this wasn’t needed, and she’d only need physio as and when she was struggling.

Sadly, this information was incorrect, and she should have been having maintenance physio from the get go.

Years later, the same vets also said there was nothing wrong with her, even after I began to suspect that there was something going on for her in terms of pain/discomfort.

Isn’t hindsight a wonderful thing? 🤷‍♀️

I share this story not to vet bash, but to explain that I know exactly what it’s like to a) be oblivious that your dog is in pain, and b) struggle to be taken seriously when you do start to have a niggling doubt that everything is ok.

So… first, we need to make a distinction between acute pain and chronic pain.

⚡️ Acute pain usually comes on suddenly, often through injury or illness. It’s usually of short duration, and is often resolved when the body heals itself. (But it can also leave lingering effects, and become chronic pain)

⚡️ Chronic pain is long lasting, it’s caused by an underlying issue, and can often gradually get worse over time. And it’s usually harder to identify and diagnose.

That’s not to say that acute pain is more painful than chronic, or vice versa. It depends on the specific pain.

The experience of pain also depends on the individual - some dogs can be incredibly stoic about even a very high degree of pain, whereas another dog with exactly the same condition might show us more signs that they’re in pain.

🗣 “She can’t be in pain, she’s not limping”

Reality: Dogs will often let you know about acute pain, but they’re usually masters of hiding chronic pain. A lot of the time, the only signs of chronic pain are behavioural, and potentially some subtle physical signs.

🗣 “He can’t be in pain, he still loves running after his ball”

Reality: Adrenaline and cortisol both mask pain. Dogs are often happy to continue with activities they enjoy and find exciting - such as fetching a ball, playing with doggy friends, or chasing wildlife - even though they’re in pain, because those activities stimulate the release of hormones which override the sensation of pain.

(And that also means it can be very hard to diagnose pain in a veterinary setting, because a lot of dogs are already stressed simply about being at the vets. Increased levels of adrenaline and cortisol can again easily mask any pain and therefore no physical symptoms are exhibited.)

🗣 “She's always moved like that / behaved like that, so it can't be a sign of pain.”

Reality: (and remember, I preface this by saying, no-one wants to think that their dog is in pain. Much less that they’ve always been in pain, and that we didn’t know about it). Sadly, if she’s always done that, it might be because she’s always been in pain to some degree.

So if chronic pain is so hard to recognise and identify, what can we do about it?

There are actually lots of physical signs of potential chronic pain in dogs, it’s just sometimes they’re quite subtle:

❎️ GAIT… there is a “correct” way a dog should move - regardless of breed - at different speeds (i.e. walk, trot, canter, and gallop) in terms of how and when they move their legs, which order and which legs move together. Abnormalities or adaptations or to this can indicate that something is going on.

This could be something like bunny hopping or skipping. Or pacing - where a dog moves by lifting their two left limbs at the same time, and then their two right limbs together - this isn’t a normal gait in any dog, and is usually an attempt to offload weight from a painful part of the body.

❎️ COAT PATTERNS & DISTURBANCES… a dog’s fur can be affected by tension held in the body. This can manifest itself as differences in texture, colour, and/or direction of fur.

(When Alice’s muscles in her hind legs were particularly tight, eg after exercise, the fur directly above those muscles wound themselves into little curls and other crazy patterns - I’ll pop a photo of this in the comments for anyone that’s interested)

❎️ POSTURE… how a dog holds themself, in different stationary positions (such as sitting or standing) and while they’re moving, can also give clues. Conformation (which means how they’re put together as a dog) varies by breed, but in principle, dogs should be symmetrical.

They should be equal weight bearing on all four limbs (unless they’ve only got three 🥰), not favouring one side or the other. And those four legs should be square and parallel to each other - if you’re looking from behind, whether they’re stood still or moving, you shouldn’t be able to really see the front legs, because they should be directly in front of the back legs.

Believe it or not, how a dog holds themself while toileting can be a big red flag! It’s not something that many people would consider, but for example, an inability to hold position while pooing, i.e. pooing on the move rather than staying in a stationary squat, or doing lots of little poos at different times can indicate that keeping still in that position is uncomfortable.

❎️ OTHER MOVEMENT… difficulty or hesitancy in navigating changes in height can also be an indicator - this could be jumping on or off furniture, jumping in or out of a car, or going up or down steps or stairs.

Or the opposite can also be true - hurtling up or down stairs can be a telltale sign that they’re not able to do a controlled slow ascent or descent, because it would hurt to do so.

❎️ EARS… and another little known sign is that tension in the ears can often indicate tension in the hindquarters. If one ear has a tendency to stay more rigid and flops less than the other, this can correlate with tension in one side of the hindquarters.

(This was something I’d noticed with Alice but not realised the significance. Now, I find it fascinating to watch - her left ear will be held tighter first thing when we head out on a walk and she’s stiff, and it gradually relaxes and gets more floppy as she loosens up.)

There are also lots of behavioural signs of potential chronic pain, that again can often be subtle and therefore easily overlooked. Here’s just a few:

❎️ Avoidance of being touched, or sensitivity to being touched, maybe to only certain parts of their body

❎️ Sensitivity to noises… this might mean they startle when they hear a sound that doesn’t seem that loud to us, or might be full blown panic at certain sounds

❎️ Hyperactive, restless, an inability to settle… if you're in pain, it's hard to get comfortable

❎️ Moving away, or even growling, when you sit on the sofa or get on the bed next to them… growling in this instance might make some people’s minds immediately jump to resource guarding: “they’re being possessive about the sofa / the bed”.

But sitting next to them disturbs the soft surface that they’re lying on, which means they get moved out of position, which could cause discomfort if there’s underlying pain. And if this happens a lot, then they will anticipate pain as soon as someone even approaches the sofa or bed, and react accordingly.

❎️ “Stubborn” or “naughty” behaviours… refusing to do something - especially something they have previously been taught, or previously were happy to do - can actually be a reluctance to do something that is going to cause them pain, rather than that they’re ‘misbehaving’ on purpose.

Phew! Well done if you’ve made it this far, that turned out to be a far longer post than I originally thought it might be 🙈

So. That’s not to say that the existence or occurrence of any of the above definitely means your dog is suffering with undiagnosed pain.

But it’s enough to consider exploring and investigating further, to start observing your dog a little more closely, and see if you spot any other potential indicators of pain.

The next post is going to cover what to do next when you do have a sneaking suspicion that there might be something going on for your dog in terms of pain or discomfort.

But in the meantime, if you want to know more about anything I’ve mentioned, or reading this has created a little niggling thought in your head - feel free to message me and we can have a chat about it ❤️

07/07/2024

"Did You Know? 🐾🔍

Dogs possess an extraordinary sense of smell, so powerful they can detect human fingerprints that are a week old!

Imagine the stories our furry detectives could tell just by sniffing around.

This incredible ability showcases not just their detective-like skills but also reminds us of the unique bond and the untold stories between humans and their canine companions.

Let's appreciate our four-legged friends for the super sniffers they are! 🐕💖

Do you have any stories of your dog's incredible sense of smell?
Share in the comments or tag us in your tales!"

05/07/2024

Attention dog owners!

If your furry friend has recently undergone TPLO surgery, navigating their recovery journey can seem daunting.

That's why I've created a FREE guide just for you: 'TPLO Recovery - 10 Expert Tips for Your Dog's Healing Journey.'

Inside, you'll discover expert advice and tips to ensure your dog's recovery is as smooth and comfortable as possible. From getting your home ready for your dog to return after surgery, and useful tips on items you need to have ready, this guide is packed with valuable insights that will support you and your beloved pet every step of the way in the first few weeks of recovery.

Don't miss out on this essential resource.

Download your copy today and start your dog on the path to a full and swift recovery.

Are you ready to give your dog the best post-surgery care possible? Send me a direct message to get access to this invaluable guide now!

04/07/2024

Can I take a second to tell you about the process for booking animal physiotherapy session with me?

1. First, we have a discovery call to learn about your needs and understand your animal companion's history and current physical condition.

2. Then if you are a dog owner, we ask your vet for permission to commence physiotherapy treatment - this is a legal requirement for dog physiotherapy sessions and is easy to achieve.

Then, based on the information gathered at our appointment whereby we go into more detail about your pet's issues, history, workload and other information, I provide a treatment and then craft a personalised therapy plan that includes a mix of manual therapies, exercises, and sometimes electrotherapy, tailored to the specific needs of your equine or canine friend.

Finally, I tie it up with a bow by providing follow-up sessions and adjustments to the plan as needed, ensuring your beloved animal achieves the best possible outcomes.

Now you know what it’s like to work with me from start to finish. Did anything surprise you about this process?

03/07/2024

🐾 Myth: I Can't Afford Physiotherapy for My Dog

👩‍⚕️ Reality: While cost concerns are valid, there are options available to make physiotherapy more accessible for you and your furry friend.

Here's how:

✨ Transparency: Veterinary physiotherapists provide transparent pricing information upfront, allowing you to budget accordingly and avoid surprises.

🌟 Insurance Coverage: Some pet insurance policies cover physiotherapy as part of their comprehensive coverage, reducing out-of-pocket expenses for you. Make sure to check your policy for complementary therapies, as this often is overlooked on your insurance policy. Plus, if you think about how much it costs for a 10 minute vet appointment, compared to an hour with a physio who will look at the whole picture for you and your dog, the price is very competitive, and often you may only need a few sessions.

💡 Conclusion: Don't let financial concerns prevent your dog from accessing the care they need. With transparency, and support, physiotherapy can be more affordable than you think.

03/07/2024

This is a great post about harnesses for your dog, and it is a bit of a minefield. For those of us with horses, think similar to finding a saddle that fits your horse!!

The harness needs to fit your dog in the right places, for instance, not restricting movement of elbows or shoulders, which some harnesses do, and not cause pressure points anywhere. Some of the super bulky big clips that sit on the back of the neck can be very uncomfortable and cause your dog to dip away from the pressure in that area, which in turn will cause their body to alter the way it moves. This change in biomechanics can then mean compensations are set up in the body elsewhere, and this could then cause pain.

As Tara mentioned a Y shaped harness is recommended by physiotherapists to avoid any restrictions or pressure points.

03/07/2024

If only there was some sun to lie in!!

🐾 BE MORE DOG 🐾

😂 Think we could all benefit from being "More Dog" sometimes!

🙌 Have a great week everyone! xx

02/07/2024

Scent work is a great way to engage your pet in a gentle, but interesting game to work the mind and keep them entertained. Why not check out The Creative Canine for more information on scent work.

26/06/2024

Myth: Physiotherapy is Too Time-Consuming

👩‍⚕️ Reality: While it's understandable to have concerns about time constraints, physiotherapy can be tailored to fit your schedule. Here's how:

✨ Flexible Options: Veterinary physiotherapists offer flexible scheduling options to accommodate your busy lifestyle, including evening and weekend appointments.

🔍 Efficiency: Physiotherapy sessions are designed to be efficient and effective, focusing on targeted interventions to maximize results in minimal time.

🌟 Home Care: Many physiotherapy exercises and techniques can be incorporated into your daily routine at home, reducing the need for frequent clinic visits and maximising convenience.

🤗 Long-Term Benefits: While physiotherapy may require an initial time investment, the long-term benefits for your dog's health, comfort, and well-being are invaluable.

💡 Conclusion: Don't let time constraints hold you back from seeking physiotherapy for your dog. With flexible options and a focus on efficiency, it's a worthwhile investment in their long-term health and happiness.

25/06/2024

⭐I take great pride in my commitment to excellence, both personally and professionally. Diligence and dedication are at the core of my practice, reflected in the meticulous care I extend to every client.

In my professional journey, I began with extensive study, investing eight years (yep 8 years!) to lay a robust foundation in my field of equine and canine physiotherapy.

👉Now, coming up to a decade of experience running my own business, I continue to deepen my expertise through ongoing engagement with the latest veterinary physiotherapy research, participation in international seminars, and advanced workshops.

👉 My unwavering commitment to continuous improvement is driven by a desire to provide the highest standard of care to your animals.

👉How may I assist you today? Do you have any questions that you would like to ask me?

Please drop them in the comments below.

20/06/2024

If you are looking for help with your dog, these are great workshops.

19/06/2024

Myth: Physiotherapy Will Make My Dog Dependent on It

👩‍⚕️ Reality: Physiotherapy isn't about creating dependency—it's about empowering your dog to live their best life.

Here's why:
✨ Promoting Independence: Physiotherapy aims to improve your dog's strength, mobility, and function, empowering them to navigate their world with confidence, even without ongoing treatment.

🔍 Preventing Reliance: Physiotherapy isn't a crutch—it's a tool to help your dog overcome challenges and thrive. By addressing underlying issues and building resilience, it reduces the need for ongoing intervention.

🌟 Holistic Approach: Physiotherapy considers your dog's overall well-being, incorporating strategies to support their physical, mental, and emotional health. It's about fostering a balanced and resilient canine companion.

🤗 Long-Term Benefits: While initial treatment may be necessary, the goal of physiotherapy is to equip your dog with the skills and strength to manage independently over time. It's an investment in their future health and happiness. 💡

Conclusion: Don't fear dependency—embrace empowerment. With physiotherapy, your dog can enjoy a lifetime of mobility, comfort, and freedom.

18/06/2024

Hi there!

Welcome to Browns Vet Physio

I’m an Equine and Canine Physiotherapist and here, you’ll learn tips on animal wellness and rehabilitation techniques.

Aside from business, I live on the The Scottish Border, UK with my 2 horses, and when I’m not helping pets recover and thrive, we spend our days exploring the beautiful countryside and practicing liberty work with my horses, Brooke and Ruby.

As you can see, you’ll get a glimpse into my professional world AND my personal adventures on this page!

Now, tell me about you in the comments below… what do you do and what’s your favourite non-work-related hobby?