Ani-Motion VP

26/04/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/roAuawGJ35xfUAWA/

By choosing an NAVP member an owner or vet is assured that they:

* Have qualified via a recognised accredited training programme
* Carry appropriate professional and public liability insurance
* Work in accordance with current legislation
* Are required to work within a professional code of conduct and ethics
* Are required to continually maintain and enhance their skills post-qualification by completing appropriate programmes of continued professional development (CPD)

03/11/2023

Us horsey people are renowned for hating the winter - with just cause, I think!

Personally, it's not so much the cold that I dislike (although I will admit to hating the ice); it's not even the wet (there's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing). What I really hate, apart from the days being too short to get everything done, is the mud. And this year it is already here with a vengeance.

Unfortunately, my faithful Le Chemeaus have finally bitten the dust after 5 years of loyal service and I am therefore looking for recommendations for the best wellies to replace them with before I develop trench foot (I feel this may be imminent).

I've narrowed it down to:
Another pair of Le Chemeau vierzonord
Ariat Burford insulated boot
Agile Parcours Iso 2 boot

Basically I am looking for feedback/recommendations from other horsey people who will have abused boots in the manner in which I intend to abuse my next pair so I can feel reassured that while they may not last forever, they have the best chance of making it through more than a couple of winters with extensive daily use.

Thank you!

Picture between the ears of jack from just a couple of weeks ago before the weather turned biblical and the tracks had begun to resemble The Somme 😔

20/05/2023

I'm not one for airing grievances on social media, but as it has been recently brought to my attention.by a client that this may be impacting my business, I would like to clarify that I am a separate entity to Animotions/Ani-motions, a sports massage therapist based less than 10.miles from me who have opened premises in Watton within the last year.

When I qualified in 2014 I began trading as Ani-Motion VP and have done so ever since. I moved to my home in Bradenham in Norfolk in 2015 and have been based here ever since. The therapist currently trading as Animotions/Ani-motions underwent a re-brand (I believe in 2017 or 2018 from memory) and when she did so she either didn't do her due diligence and discover that there was someone trading under a very similar name also in the field of canine and equine musculoskeletal therapy less than 10 miles away, or she didn't care. This upset me when I first found out about it a few years ago as I have worked hard and branded myself accordingly and I felt a little (rightly or wrongly) like someone had stolen my identity. However, as I said, I don't tend to air grievances in public, so I kept quiet.

However, I have recently had several mentions from colleagues of cases they have given my details to who have never materialised, and then the other day a client casually asked me about my premises in Watton. When I explained that wasn't me, she was genuinely shocked and said it was just as well she had rung me for an appointment and hadn't just popped in...!

I know some very excellent sports massage therapists and in no way am I casting aspersions on this lady's capabilities or the services she offers. However, I do think it's very important that people are aware that there are differences between the levels of qualifications that different musculoskeletal therapists have, in the techniques they are able to use and offer and in the conditions they may or may not be able to treat and the rehabilitation services they can offer, hence why I have been known to refer cases myself on to mctimoney animal therapists, for example, when I feel that would be in the best interest of the patient and relevant to the condition being treated. I won't lie, I am obviously also gutted to think that as a sole trader, I may also have lost business and missed out on helping patients due to the very clear similarity between our names.

For clarity, I am a Veterinary Physiotherapist, registered with the AHPR and a member of NAVP. I qualified with my postgraduate diploma in veterinary physiotherapy from Harper Adams University in 2014 and have been treating dogs, cats and horses ever since. I achieved my Masters in 2017. I have worked in veterinary practice for 25 years including for Dick White Referrals as a Veterinary Physiotherapist. I now offer mobile services treating your dog, cat or horse in your/their own home across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

To find out more about me and the services I offer, visit www.ani-motionvp.co.uk

Thank you.

About Ani-Motion VP

15/04/2023

How a very simple technique can save a life. For anyone who breeds horses or is thinking of doing so 💗 🐎🐴

A successful application of the 'Madigan foal squeeze' technique by our vet Gloria.

This little foal was born a week ago and. At first everything seemed fine but as time passed it became more obvious that something was not quite right. The 1-2-3 rule in horses giving birth is that the foal has to stand in within 1 hour, has to start nursing within 2 hours and the placenta should pass in 3 hours. If there is a delay it can have severe consequences and veterinary help is required.

The majority of foals born are fit, healthy and ready for the world, but sometimes things aren’t quite right. One condition that can affect a newborn foal is neonatal maladjustment syndrome, also known as being a 'dummy foal'. The owner of this c**t very promptly called us as 3 hours passed by and the foal was still unable to drink from the mare.

During examination although vital parameters were within normal limit the foal was just a little bit ‘slow’. Traditionally, oxygen deprivation to the brain is thought to be the reason for this syndrome, resulting in brain damage and inadequate blood supply to the nerve cells. The foal is typically unable to interact fully both with his dam and his environment. When going to feed, he may struggle to locate the udder or fully latch on – this can lead to failure of passive transfer, a process where the foal receives essential antibodies from the mare. If he does not ingest enough colostrum before his gastrointestinal tract stops being able to absorb these large proteins, he is at increased risk of sepsis and other life-threatening illnesses.

This foal was showing these symptoms therefore a Madigan foal squeeze was performed in an effort to recreate the natural transition to consciousness. A rope was secured around the foal by looping it around the chest several times. Tension was then applied to mimic the pressures implemented by the birth canal during the foal’s journey, from the uterus to the outside world, and at the same time the foal was helped to lie down. The rope was held for 20 minutes, the duration that the mare would have been in second-stage labour. During this time, the foal became somnolent and layed down asleep within the rope.

At the point the rope was released, the foal awakened, and he displayed normal consciousness – he went straight to the mare and started to drink. Though it took several attempts but he was drinking within an hour and is doing very well - a great outcome!

02/12/2022

If you own a dog under 8 years of age, are you able to spare 5 minutes to help contribute to this important cause to help identify behavioural expressions of pain in younger dogs? I'm always banging on about how important it is to listen to owners as it's you guys that notice the subtle changes which can indicate that something's not quite right!

18/07/2022

I know advice about heat stroke is being shared a lot, but if it saves just one life, it is worth it.

Horses are better at sweating than dogs are, but the same advice still applies, especially given how distressed they can become by flies at this time of year.

If you can, keep pets inside/in the shade (although the inside bit may depend upon the building eg. Wooden stables in direct sunlight can become incredibly hot). Regularly cold/cool hosing your four legged friends will keep them cool, ideally for 5-10 minutes every few hours.

Ensure all animals have free access to fresh cool water.

Clip out pets with thick coats (yes, even double coated breeds) if they are struggling to keep cool. Use fans and air conditioning where possible. Cool mats can be very useful for dogs.

We've been very lucky in Norfolk until now that it has been cool enough to exercise horses up until around 10 or 11am each day, but the evenings are not really cooling down and tomorrow is set to be very hot all day. Our pets are not acclimatised to the heat so please just don't exercise them if it's too hot. A day or two off work is really not the end of the world, but heat stroke just might be.

For more scientific advice from someone for whom this is an area of expertise and research visit Dr David Marlin

Heatstroke in dogs - it's a real risk over the next few days in the UK. With very unusual temperatures in the UK at the moment, please follow our evidence based advice on how to manage your dogs:  

How to keep them cool: 

> Short walks only very early or very late when it has cooled down. During periods of extreme heat, it may be better to avoid walking altogether.

> No intensive exercise (such as ball throwing) 

> Keep your dog inside. Keep blinds shut and provide them with a fan/AC. . 

> Clip - If you have a double coated dog then you should seriously consider clipping them. A thick coat does NOT keep the dog cool - this is a myth. Just watch for sunburn if you clip! 

> Always have fresh water available and change it regularly. Ice cubes will not provide any significant benefit and may even reduce drinking. 

> Use cold water all over their body to cool them and allow them to dry naturally at intervals throughout the day if required. 

> Avoid car journeys!

Signs your dog is too hot or is suffering from heat exhaustion/stroke:

> Panting - The faster and heavier the panting the quicker you need to act. If your dog is panting at rest then seek to cool it down as quickly as possible. 

> Change in behaviour - if your dog seems agitated, starts whining, drooling excessively and barking unusually this can be a sign of heatstroke.
 
> Physical signs - increased heart rate, red or purple gums or tongue, glassy eyes, raised temperature of 40ºC (104ºF) and above. 
 
> Severe signs - weakness or inability to get up, staggering and collapse, seizures 
 
What to do if you suspect your dog is suffering from heatstroke:
 
> Heatstroke is a medical emergency and you need to take immediate action to reduce the risk of serious injury or death. You must rapidly cool your dog with lots of cold water from the tap/hose or submerge them in a paddling pool/bath of cold water. Stay with them and hold their head to prevent drowning. Call the vet as soon as you can and follow their guidance.
 
This information is based on the advice of Dr David Marlin and is all backed up by scientific literature.

09/04/2022

I know this is not the first time I've had to write a post like this (I really am terrible with phones) but my phone is brokenand going off for repair, so if anyone needs to get hold of me, either send me an email ([email protected]) or message me on here please. Thank you! :-)

07/03/2022

Owners are often hesitant to use NSAIDs due to publicity regarding potential side-effects, and will seek alternative options for pain control. CAM fully supports their choice as long as the treatment chosen offers effective pain control to that dog. We strongly suggest using a means of measuring pain before the treatment and after to ensure the goals of using it are met.

09/12/2021

Some excellent tips from the very informative Canine Arthritis Management for managing your dog in the winter months.

People are often quite shocked to learn that I put a coat on my labrador, Charlie, when the weather turns cold. "But he's a labrador" they say. aghast, "he has a waterproof coat already".

Charlie is now 10. To be fair, I have put a coat on him in cold weather for several years, so his age isn't the primary factor, but it's definitely a consideration. I look at my father, who in his mid-70s now wears a woolly jumper even in July (!!!) and I realise that as humans age, their circulation becomes less effective and they feel the cold more. The same applies to our pets.

Charlie is a domesticated dog. He is not a wild animal, he was selectively bred for purposes other than growing a thick winter coat/keeping himself warm. He has never (lucky him) had to winter outside in even mild conditions, let alone very cold ones. He is a very active dog, accompanying me to the yard several hours a day, every day, but he still spends a reasonable percentage of his time indoors, in a centrally-heated home. He has therefore never had to adapt to surviving in the cold.

Charlie is very fit and active. He is pretty lean, especially compared to a lot of labradors we see on a day-to-day basis, with a body condition score of 4/9 (ideal is 4 or 5/9, but most people look at him and think he is skinny). He is very well-muscled, and these muscles need to be warmed up appropriately and kept warm before he indulges in activity to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury. Charlie does not know this, and if he sees a rat/squirrel/rabbit etc. he will not stop to do some gentle jogging on the spot before he charges off after it.

So yes, in the winter, Charlie wears a coat. And for all these reasons, I always advise my clients to consider doing the same for their dogs when the weather is cold. 🐶🐹❄️

Here are some tips to keep your dog warm this season!
Give

24/08/2021

More years ago than I care to remember, I used to pull a couple of shifts a week in a pub on a Friday and Saturday night. I can honestly say I never got tips like this.....

15/08/2021

Some different four-legged beasties in the fields tonight.

Because I am desperately trying to get killed by my idiotic horses as I bring them in past this field every morning..... 🙄 🤦‍♀️

30/07/2021

If you have an arthritic dog and you haven't done so already, check out Canine Arthritis Management for advice and tips on managing the condition in your pet.

A slippery floor, be it wooden, laminate, or tile is very hazardous for an arthritic dog that already has weak & painful limbs. Repeated slips, no matter how small, will progress the clinical signs of arthritis. Creating pathways out of rugs or non-slip matting will help considerably.

Thank you for this pic of 11 month old arthritic Freddie on the soft floor!
We encourage our CAM followers to share your home adaptations with us so that we can help each other!

20/07/2021

Had to share just because I thought it was funny. I should add that I have had four awesome mares myself, so I am in no way prejudiced against them!

28/04/2021

I think most - if not all - animal lovers will join me in celebrating this news! Seems appropriate that this has finally happened on and 🐾

We're delighted to announce that the bill to increase maximum sentences for animal cruelty from six months to five years has finally passed through parliament! 🎉 Blue Cross has campaigned for this law, with other animal welfare charities, for many years and we are delighted that progress has happened. This law will now send a message that animal cruelty will not be tolerated.