Wow check out this fit pup! Grimm is doing a stellar job in this video. ๐Dr. Kelsey is having him go up and down on an incline. This exercise has many uses, including improving coordination and building hamstring strength. This guy has made some amazing progress since starting him time with us at Canine PT and Me. Yay Grimm!๐พ
Brade has a whole fan club! She's even got our admin involved in the post-session shenanigans! We are so happy to have Brade in the clinic as she always gives a stellar performance after all her hard work! ๐
Tessa is a star pupil! ๐ She is coming to Canine PT and Me for conservative management of her torn CCL. In this video, Tessa is working on returning to activity, training her muscles to be able to handle running & jumping forces that are placed on the body, which is a different kind of strength vs targeted specific muscles during exercise. Go Tessa, go! ๐พ
Luke is such a superstar! ๐ The cavaletti poles are such a versatile tool and can be used in many different ways to help your pup! In this video, Luke is working on his balance/coordination, strengthening his body, and also increasing his active range of motion. After surgery this pup has been putting in all the work to get back to his normal activities. He has been progressing so much lately - way to go Luke! ๐ถ
Carl is doing an amazing job with this exercise! ๐ This is a bosu ball and it is unstable so it creates a challenge for his core muscles and also his back leg muscles as well. Doing this movement also helps strengthen glute muscles too. It looks like this guy is having a ball! Go Carl, go! ๐
It's Medical Monday. ๐ฉบ Let's review about your pup's paws and keeping them safe from the heat. Did you know on a hot day, the asphalt temperature can easily be 40-60 degrees hotter than the air? (even in the shade!) For example, on a 85 degree day the concrete can get as hot as 140 degrees! ๐ฅต You wouldn't walk barefoot on cement that hot -so please do not force your dog to. Instead, use the 10 second rule. Place your bare hand/foot on the pavement (in the sunlight not the shade) for 10 seconds. ๐๐ณ ๐ถ๐'๐ ๐๐ผ๐ผ ๐ต๐ผ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐ - ๐ถ๐'๐ ๐๐ผ๐ผ ๐ต๐ผ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐บ! You can also look into booties, going to a park with grass for play, or waiting for the sun to go down for extensive outside time as an alternative.
Meet Ana! ๐คฉ This sweet and resilient pup comes physical therapy after she had a hemilaminectomy. After surgery it was unlikely she would walk again -however- here she is walking without any support after several months of rehab and dedication from her parents. Ana is an outstanding success story as she has defied the odds and come out of a difficult situation stronger (literally). ๐ช We are so proud of Ana and all her growth during her continued time with us. Getting to see her progression each week has been amazing!
Meet OG! OG started his journey with Canine PT and Me with tetra paresis due to an IVDD flare up. He was unable to use any of his limbs or even stand on his own. Since starting physical therapy he now has movement in all 4 of his legs again and is now able to move around independently!๐ This sweet pup has done some incredible work thus far and his growth and strength continue everyday. Show some love to OG and welcome him to the pack! ๐พ
Glynis got an upgrade! ๐ Wheelchairs are a great tool that adapts to your pups' needs as they change. Tires have interchangeable sizes and textures for different terrains so your furry friend can explore to their hearts content. Additionally, the cart itself can be modified as well to add front wheels for additional support. ๐ถ If you feel like your dog is dragging their legs at all - we would love to see if a wheelchair might be an option for them. ๐
Diego is a CHAMP!๐This handsome chihuahua mix comes to Canine PT and Me to help with his osteoarthritis and to build strength in his legs. The exercise he is demonstrating can help with changing directions and helps them get back to their regular dog activities! We are so proud of Diego and how far he has come with his rehab plan. He continues to progress everyday. Paws up for Diego! ๐พ
Sunny was VERY excited to show off his skills! ๐ This handsome Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes to Canine PT and Me after patella luxation surgery and a CCL tear. This exercise helps build hamstring and glute strength, and coordination. Sunny has come so far in his rehab since surgery and the whole team is proud of him! Let's put our paws up for this pup! โ๏ธ
Rehab looks different for every pup! ๐ถ Each plan we create is individually designed for each dog with their goals and needs in mind. Whether thatโs to be able to go for a 5 block walk, or return to chasing squirrels, or to run around with the sibling animals, or to simply be out of pain -that means those are our goals too. We will work with you and your pup to make sure we achieve and accomplish them, however that may look for you!๐พ
WHOA! Here is Stella doing an AMAZING job getting up on her own. ๐ช Her dedication to rehab has given her a great deal of her mobility back after a hemilaminectomy in December of 2023. She was previously not able to use her hind legs at all - look at her amazing progress! This fierce girl is defying the odds and makes progress every day! ๐พ GO STELLA!
It's Medical Monday! ๐ Did you know Canine PT and Me can help get your pup set up with a brace? We can help you decide how to best support your pup and help you through the process; from casting, shipping, fitting and we of course will teach you and your pup how to use it!
Henry has a completely torn the CCL in his back left leg (CCL stands for Cranial Cruciate Ligament and is the dog equivalent of a human ACL). The brace will temporarily help keep his knee in place help with the instability that causes the knee to slide out of place until they are able to do surgery. Before they can do surgery he needs to build up strength in his other limbs so he will be able to support himself after surgery - then Henry will continue rehab. ๐พ
Meet Zuzu! He's showing us what a successful session of rehab looks like! ๐ค This adorable King Charles Spaniel has IVDD and comes to rehab to strengthen his body, work on balance and endurance and to also help decrease pain. Recently he was able to jump out of the car which he has previously been unable to do. What progress! ๐
Happy Medical Monday! Let's talk about how I.A.S.T.M. is used in rehab to support your pup's healing.๐ถ
Instrument Soft Tissue Mobilization can best be described as a skilled intervention that includes the use of specialized tools to manipulate the skin, myofascia, muscles, and tendons by various direct compressive stroke techniques. I.A.S.T.M is said to have evolved from a Chinese method called Gua sha. Instruments effectively break down fascial restrictions and scar tissue. The design of these instruments provides our doctors with the ability to locate restrictions and allows them to treat the affected area with the appropriate amount of pressure.
Most people have never heard of, or considered physical therapy for their dog. Some people are skeptical about getting physical therapy for themselves, let alone their four-legged friend. So what is a canine physical therapist? A canine PT is a physical therapist who has gotten their certification to practice on dogs instead of people. They have gotten their physical therapy license and are a doctor of physical therapy. Then, they have gone through extensive coursework and exams to receive their certification to treat dogs.
Why a physical therapist is not practicing on humans, but is instead treating dogs? The canine world is a highly underserved population and dogs require physical attention, just as people do. Our fluffy friends strain muscles, get tendonitis, break bones, tear ligaments, and require surgeries too. Therefore, after these kinds of injuries occur, your dog is going to need some help rehabilitating. That is where a canine physical therapist comes into play.
Throughout the course of therapy, we see a drastic positive change for many dogs. They slowly โcome out of their shellโ and generally find it fun to do the exercises. Being rewarded with treats when they do something correctly helps them engage more. ๐ถ Taking all of these things into consideration during each treatment session makes the therapeutic experience that much better for the dog and the owner.
By the end of rehab (usually within the first few sessions), the pup is looking forward to their session and are excited to learn more. If you have a shy or fearful pup that needs rehab help, please reach out to your local canine rehab therapist. We would love to work with you and your four-legged friend to get them back to their activities in addition to building their confidence. ๐
Our secret? Peanut butter! ๐ฅ
This is Puff! This super adorable bull terrier is coming to rehab for his chronic back pain, and gait abnormality. We are so excited to be able to help him out and bring him into the pack! ๐ Puff really enjoys going on car rides, so of course his favorite destination is Canine PT and Me. His goal for rehab is to build strength, manage pain, and increase his mobility.
Meet Jemma who is such a superstar! ๐ This adorable Boston Terrier had an FCE and was non-ambulatory when she first came to us. Her goal with physical therapy is to improve mobility with transitions and ambulation, improve proprioception and balance, lose weight, increase strength in her core muscles, improve independence. Jemma loves playing with her sibling and is already on her way to returning to her favorite thing - ZOOMIES! ๐คชLet's put all our paws up for her!
