Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Sarah MacKeigan: Upward DOG: Rehab & Wellness, Pet service, .
Empowering pet parents to implement non traditional and personalized injury recovery and prevention plans for their dogs, so their dogs may lead long, active, healthy and happy lives.
26/08/2024
🔥🎙 Ep #5. Dog Wheelchairs and How to Measure your Dog for the Best Fit, with Dr. Jenny Moe
A wheelchair can give an injured dog the gift of mobility and independence and it can also be a gait training tool to recover motor function. Getting the correct fit for a dog wheelchair can be the difference whether your dog likes to use it or not. Get the fit right the first time! 🙌
Join us for Ep #5 with Jenny Moe, canine rehab therapist and co-owner of Doggon Wheels, as she guides us through the process of measuring a dog for any wheelchair. She also gives special tips for ensuring accurate measurements.
In this episode also share a special summer savings opportunity available until the end of August!🎁
I've included the link to WATCH 👀 the episode in the original show notes on your favourite podcast listening platform!
Remember to "Follow" and SHARE using if you found it helpful!
25/08/2024
Do you have a PARALYZED DOG with IVDD or you work with these dogs?
✅If yes then don’t is this replay!🛑
In conservative management and canine rehab
And I shared an amazing but time sensitive ⏰ opportunity.
Listen, learn, comment and please please SHARE
WE TALKED ABOUT:
👉What is IVDD, signs, symptoms, pain👈................I also shared a clip from Navigating DM & Disc Disease
👉Current research 👈............... surgery versus medical management, timing of surgery and even discussed crate rest and the findings will shock you!
👉Canine rehab approach to grades 3-5 IVDH dogs ............. *.including acupuncture and laser therapy,
*bladder expression and how to retrain the bladder and reduce the risk or urinary tract infections,
*how proper positioning can relieve pressure on boney prominences and promote movement recovery,
*wheelchairs for gait training,
*boots to protect the paws and aids that help teach your dog to walk again,
*and more!
In addition to this in-depth learning I shared the Summer Special on Navigating DM & Disc Disease. You can get 2023 and 2024 recordings of our world class speakers for the price of 1 year which is $47CAD until August 31st! But why wait?! Get it now and start learning!
The link is in the comments. If you can't find it, comment &IVDD and tag me 👉 ) and I will get it for you. 😊
👉Post your questions in the comments
👉Click the ❤️ if this information is helpful and
👉SHARE! Please share so more pet parents can learn and more dogs have a chance and mobility 🙏
25/08/2024
Livestream on IVDD starting at 10:40am. Slight delay but coming soon!
31/07/2024
I’ve recently had an influx of SENIOR DOGS with significant HINDLIMB PAIN and WEAKNESS, into my canine rehab practice... 🥺
...and many pet parents hoping for a Hail Mary, so I think this would be a really good topic to discuss.
And I've also shared some HELPFUL LINKS, resources, and FREE DOWNLOADS in the original blog (🔗link is in the comments below ⬇️and can be found on the Upward Dog Rehab website)
A mild decline we can get in front of much easier and address some of the factors that may contribute to future declines, versus waiting until a dog has deteriorated significantly.
I've therefore also shared links to help you find a canine rehab therapist in the original blog. The link is below in the comments 🔗⬇️
(In case you're wondering why the links aren't in the post.... Facebook doesn't like it when we pull you off to an external site)
👉👉👉To find out how to help a senior dog with declining hind end mobility, keep reading! 🤓
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🚨⚠️1. CHECK FOR PAIN/COMORBIDITIES/EMERGENCIES
If your dog is showing changes in personality and/or behaviors and their mobility is also on the downhill slide they are not just getting old. Older dogs are more likely to have comorbidities - multiple conditions occurring at the same time. Have them checked out by your vet and you can request a referral to a canine rehab therapist.
The go to diagnosis for senior dogs is arthritis which isn’t always what is causing the mobility decline but a vet visit will rule in/out other things like lyme disease, IVDD, or even kidney or liver problems which can impact mobility, and they can prescribe any necessary pain meds.
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🧠🦴2. NEURO OR ORTHO???
This is a doozy….. I have had lots of pups come for hip arthritis and I find they have beautiful hip extension when their pelvis is supported but their withdrawal reflexes in their pelvic limbs are slow or absent.
Sometimes various neurologic conditions initially look like cruciate injuries too. Neuropathic pain makes them sensitive to touch in the limb and the muscle tone (tension in the muscle) is greatly reduced making it look like a stifle injury when in fact it's not.
There are usually other signs too, like back pain and maybe changes in other reflexes. If your dog was running and suddenly yelped and is holding up their leg, this does present a lot like a cruciate (knee) injury and requires a vet visit.
If your dog suddenly seems weak in the back end and their head is low and their back haunched, that’s an emergency! Go to the vet immediately! If you are sent home with anti inflammatories yet your dog seems to be very uncomfortable, has a further decline in mobility, or loss of bowel/bladder control, you need to go back to the vet right away!
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🏡3. LIFESTYLE FACTORS THAT REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Non slip surfaces! Ever try walking on icy ground with low back pain or a sprained ankle? It doesn’t matter if it’s ortho or neuro, if you want to help your dog use their legs they can’t be slipping around! If your dog is hesitant on stairs, they need grips too, and likely pelvic limb support going up and down.
I do have a free PDF downloadable checklist for improving mobility in the home and reducing the risk of secondary injuries. (check out the comments ⬇️ to get the link to the article with all the links!)
One more important note. Keeping your dog at an ideal body weight (you can see a waist line, tummy tuck, and feel their ribs) can significantly reduce their pain, improve their mobility, improve their overall health and may even save you future vet visits.
I’ve had clients be shocked at how much better their dog moved and was happier with a small weight loss of about 4% in one month! The Forever Dog is a great resource for guidance on food and the appropriate caloric intake for an active versus sedentary dog.
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🐕🦺4. MOBILITY AIDS HELP EVERYONE'S MOBILITY
Proper supports help keep our dogs upright and mobile longer, can be used as temporary gait training tools or long term mobility aids, and reduce the risk of us injuring ourselves while helping our dog.
My go to is a Help Em Up Harness. It may be the best investment you make in a physical product but don’t buy the fake ones on Amazon, they aren’t as good. Sometimes pet parents are confused about the hip lift with male dogs. Majority of male dogs use a “conventional” hip lift, NOT the U-band. Full details are on the website.
If you are in a pinch, you can use a sturdy reusable grocery bag, cut the sides out and you have a sling. Be aware this puts pressure on the bladder so if you have a leaky dog, they might p*e! For more mobility aid ideas please do talk to your canine rehab therapist (instead of spending all your money on Amazon on items that don’t work) and then you can visit VitalVet4Pets who has mobility aids organized according to condition!
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🐕5. MOVEMENT IS MEDICINE BUT MODIFY
I can say so many things here… and actually did in the first episode of my new podcast “Dogs that Can”.
I will say this now though, movement promotes healing. It increases blood flow to injured areas and enhances metabolic waste removal. The right movement can help reduce pain and swelling and aid in maintaining muscle mass which is critical to the aging dog (and human).
There are several studies in human medicine that link sarcopenia (progressive age related muscle loss) with decreases in balance and higher fall risk.
The Dog Aging Project had been looking at sarcopenia and the correlation with survival times in dogs. The point here is that the “right” movement is very helpful but the wrong movement for the stage of healing or disease progression could have the opposite effect. Talk to your canine rehab therapist!
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👐🐾6. TOUCH IS THERAPEUTIC
I’ve met many pet parents that are nervous to touch their dogs because they don’t want to hurt them. Touch is so important to our companion animals.
Can you imagine if people stopped hugging you because you got old?!
Now, you do want to relax and never force anything. Massage and T-touch are a great place to start but I really encourage finding a progressional that can also teach you stretching and passive range of motion to help promote joint and tissue health.
You can check out a T-Touch interview I did Sarah MacKeigan: Upward DOG: Rehab & Wellness.
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🧠🧩7.STIMULATE THE BRAIN
Last but not least, stimulate the brain! Short periods of enriching activities and games help stimulate feel good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin.
And you can teach an old dog new tricks! I recently taught my 12yo husky mix how to sit on a foam then push up to a stand and put her front paws on a fit bone! This isn’t for every dog but my point is don’t resign your dog as being too old to learn something new as long as their mobility supports it.
I have a little DIY youtube video for brain games with your dog here and for more more in depth learning, check out Puzzle Dog.
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If you read all the way to the end, you are amazing! 🤩 And I hope you found some helpful tips to help your dog.
Let's summarize!
Help Your Dog Stay Upright and Live a Longer, Healthier Life by:
✔️Addressing pain and making sure something more insidious isn’t happening
✔️Know some of the signs of whether its neurologic, orthopaedic, or an emergency
✔️Addressing lifestyle factors can reduce pain, keep your dog moving better, and even save dollars
✔️Mobility aids aid mobility! Using them helps everyone stay active
✔️Movement is medicine when you get the right dose
✔️Touch is healing and creates connection
✔️Enrichment activities keep your dog young.
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👉Check out the link in the comments ⬇️for all the resources and free download!
And ....
If you found this helpful please:
1. ❤️
2. Comment
3. Share it!
Thanks for reading! 🐾
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PS - if you can't find the original blog comment FREE DOWNLOAD and tag Sarah MacKeigan: Upward DOG: Rehab & Wellness and I will do my best to get it to you 🙏
17/07/2024
Today in Living with Dogs with Disabilities q&a and more!
14/07/2024
🥳 Woohoo! 🎙Ep #4 OA 101: Know the Signs & How to Slow it Down!
Avoid being blindsided when your dog suddenly pulls up lame and start slowing the progression today!
I have some awesome interviews to share with you this month and ep #4 helps lay the foundation so that you can get the most out of the upcoming interviews AND start helping your dog today!
In this episode, we talk about:
🐾What osteoarthritis (OA) is
🐾Stages of OA
🐾Whether or not your dog is at risk
🐾How to recognize the subtle behavior and mobility changes that indicate pain
🐾How to slow disease progression at various stages
🐾Interventions at various stage of disease to improve your dog’s mobility
🐾Diet, exercise, and alternative treatment options
🐾Professional and pet parent resources to help you help your dog feel better and move better!
And more!
✅Click the ❤️
✅Comment
✅And start listening wherever you listen to podcasts or by clicking the link in the comments below ⬇️
01/07/2024
💥KEEP YOUR PETS SAFE THIS HOLIDAY!💥
🐾Plan ahead to keep your dog safe and make sure they have an ID tag on.
🐾The No. 1 step to keep your dog safe this holiday is to keep her/him indoors, away from celebrations. Exercise them earlier in the day and don't go outside during fireworks.
🐾Create a safe space away from business, where they are not directly exposed to the loud noises from outside. Close windows and blinds, put down water and a few treats; put on calming music and use herbal remedies for extra stress-relief.
🐾Stimulate their brain using brain games and lick mat, use herbal remedies for extra stress-relief. Make sure meds and herbs are given early enough to be effective.
🐾Some dogs need to move when stressed. Don't try to restrain them. Keep their space safe and consider thunder shirts and earmuffs.
🐾Keep other holiday hazards away from your dog. These include alcohol, insect repellants and sunscreens intended for humans, BBQ grills, glow jewelry and citronella candles.
Have a happy and safe holiday!
26/06/2024
Do you have a dog that recently had knee surgery and you’re worried about muscle loss and recovery?? I answered a question about post TPLO muscle loss in another group in Facebook and wanted to share it here too!
A little background. Dog is about weeks post tplo, they are mostly walking for exercises as there isn’t PT close by and the pet parent is concerned about muscle loss….
I shared👇
“…, the muscle loss was probably occurring prior to the surgery as most cruciate injuries in dogs are degenerative, so it will take some time to rebuild the muscle and while there are general guidelines, every dog is unique. It’s important that your dog isn’t painful because that can inhibit muscle development and obviously we don’t want our dogs to have pain. It looks like your dog is just about 4 weeks post op. Assuming everything was good at your 10d-2wk post op check you want to continue to enhance range of motion, facilitate proprioception, and gentle strengthening. What that means in English is weight shifting exercises if he isn’t fully weight bearing, static balancing exercises and functional exercises. For example👉 cookie stretches (not spining), 3 leg standing (can start with front paw), as well as large figure 8s. I don’t recommend trying things you don’t know how to do though. Encourage a square sits. Never forced though. Walking over low poles or up and down on curbs may be good. Remember to start with less and gradually add on. It’s easier to add than subtract. Use cold as needed after exercise and make sure your stretching the hips too. Take your time and if your not sure, you can always check back with the surgeon. That’s totally appropriate. Two last tips 1) do all exercises on non slip surfaces and 2) no stairs or off leash until your vet says it’s ok! Most say 6-8weeks but you need that recheck to be sure. Good luck! You got this 🐶”
I hope this helps you too! We have lots of interviews in our Facebook community too!
Click the ❤️ if this was helpful and post your questions in the comments 👇 If you’re looking for more one to one help, check bio for links for canine rehab and virtual consults! 🙌🔗
20/06/2024
WILL the GROUND BURN your DOG’s 🐾?Put the back of your 👋 on the ground for 7sec. Too hot?🥵
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Videos
Check out Dr Jenny Moe’s instructional podcast on how to properly measure your dog for a wheelchair. 🔗 Available on your fav podcast app and YouTube link to watch is in the show notes 🙌. #mydogcan #dogwheelchairs
Canine Rehab and Conservative Management of IVDD Dogs with Paralysis
Do you have a PARALYZED DOG with IVDD or you work with these dogs?
✅If yes then don’t is this replay!🛑
In conservative management and canine rehab
And I shared an amazing but time sensitive ⏰ opportunity.
Listen, learn, comment and please please SHARE
WE TALKED ABOUT:
👉What is IVDD, signs, symptoms, pain👈
.................I also shared a clip from Navigating DM & Disc Disease
👉Current research 👈
................ surgery versus medical management, timing of surgery and even discussed crate rest and the findings will shock you!
👉Canine rehab approach to grades 3-5 IVDH dogs
.............. *.including acupuncture and laser therapy,
*bladder expression and how to retrain the bladder and reduce the risk or urinary tract infections,
*how proper positioning can relieve pressure on boney prominences and promote movement recovery,
*wheelchairs for gait training,
*boots to protect the paws and aids that help teach your dog to walk again,
*and more!
In addition to this in-depth learning I shared the Summer Special on Navigating DM & Disc Disease. You can get 2023 and 2024 recordings of our world class speakers for the price of 1 year which is $47CAD until August 31st! But why wait?! Get it now and start learning!
The link is in the comments. If you can't find it, comment #NavDM&IVDD and tag me 👉 @upwarddogrehab) and I will get it for you. 😊
👉Post your questions in the comments
👉Click the ❤️ if this information is helpful and
👉SHARE! Please share so more pet parents can learn and more dogs have a chance and mobility 🙏
#ivdd #mydogcan #dogwheelchair
This dog 💗. My baby girl is 12 today! She has grown so much. I’m so proud of her and grateful she is in my life 🙏
Please join me in wishing Shubie a very happy doggie birthday! 🥳 🦴. #foreverdog #seniordog
⚠️WARNING! HOW TO AVOID PAW BURNS 🔥🐾. As the temperature rises, the ground gets hotter and hotter! 🥵 85°F or 30°C is hot enough to raise the temperature of asphalt to a whopping 130°F or 54°C. 🥵 These temperatures can cause severe burns 🔥 in less than 30 seconds! Protect your pets 🐾 and keep them out of the heat!
How do you help an older, neurological dog walk better? 👀🐕.
HALT DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY
You can HALT 🛑 the progression of DEGENERATIVE MYELOPATHY with Dr. S. Marsden!
😮🐶😮
In a little over an hour, Dr. Marsden explains in a live interview what causes DM to PROGRESS and shares his PROVEN TREATMENT PLAN that has successfully SLOWED DISEASE PROGRESSION and even HALTED it!
I know the statements here are going against what you've been told and if you are looking for a magic pill, maybe don't watch this. This is based on real science which he illustrates.
"There is NO CURE for DM.... There ARE MANY!" ~ Dr. S. Marsden.
Dr Marsden is known internationally for his work in integrative veterinary care and his protocols have been able to significantly slow, halt, and even reverse the progression of DM!
In this interview he provides the bases for understanding how PHYSIOTHERAPY, FRESH FOOD, and specific CHINESE HERBS can bring "down dogs" back up ON THEIR FEET and provides a real life example!!!!!
He also shares some NEW POSSIBILITIES combined with the above protocol upright, to keep your dog walking on their own, and ultimately, with you longer.
Dr MARSDEN'S 3 TIPS FOR LIVING WITH DOGS WITH DM
✅ Start early
✅ Don't give up
✅ Keep up the protocol - feed fresh, daily PT, bupleurum (chinese herbs) , and modalities that keep the spinal cord healthy
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IMPORTANT LINKS
*Degenerative Myelopathy – A Clinical Model and Strategy: https://www.civtedu.org/steve-marsden-webinars3/
*Dr Marsden's Formula for bupleurum - https://nphc.ca
*5 Day DM Learning Challenge - Living with Dogs with Disabilities
*Living with Dogs with Degenerative Myelopathy. The Program 2.0 https://livingwithdogswithdisabilities.thinkific.com/courses/DMprogram2
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FOODS 🥦 CONTAINING NATURAL SOD
👉 cabbage, Brussels sprouts, wheat grass, barley grass, broccoli, peas, tomato, mustard leaves, spinach, honeydew, cantaloupe, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, cashews, hazelnuts
Comment #FRESHFOOD for a link to Dr Marsden's cookbook!
Exercising the Arthritic Dog. Fact or Fiction.
EXERCISE & WALKS: CANINE ARTHRITIS
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Canine arthritis is a progressive and painful condition.
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BUT .... there is hope. Your dog can still lead an active, happy life. Wondering how?
*
Join Hannah Capon, founder of Canine Arthritis Management 🤩 and I as we bust some myths around EXERCISE for the ARTHRITIC DOG and how you can help your dog stay active and happy for life!
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FACT OR FICTION
🐾 Long walks are necessary so my dog doesn’t lose muscle and strength.
🐾 Activity restriction is necessary for a dog with arthritis, good times are over.
🐾 High intensity game playing, ball chasing, rough and tumble make a dog very happy. Now my dog is going to be depressed .
🐾 My dog wouldn’t do it if it hurt.
🐾 Body weight is important. The best way to get my dog to lose weight is to exercise more.
Remember... It's not over, it's just different. 💖
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*
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Live Q&A 👉 Living with Dogs with Disabilities
CAM page 👉 Canine Arthritis Management
🎙 Live "Fun with Fascia" part 2!
LIVE! 🎙 Next level canine 🐶 enrichment
Senior Dog 🐶 Food & Fitness. 10 Myths Busted!
👉Recognizing the Signs of FATIGUE & PAIN in our Dogs 🐶
Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service?
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Inspired by Dogs... Our Story
THE BEGINNING....In 2013, my life was about to change dramatically. It was wintertime. Snowy. I was walking my dogs through Shubie Park and they had the zoomies, running through the woods. One let out a horrid cry and my heart stopped. As I ran towards the woods, both my dogs came out but Sammie was holding her hind left leg in the air, I desperately said “your ok, your ok”..... I think I had been talking to myself. She couldn’t weight bear at all. A tall man came by, walking his lab and asked if she was ok. When he could see the situation, he picked her up and carried her back to my car, with his lab and my red retriever in suit.
Sammie had torn her CCL that day. A year later she tore the second one. I took her to a local rehab vet and learned that physical therapists could take additional training to work on animals. What?!? I had been working in health promotion at the time, but in a few months time I would apply to go back to school to become a physical therapist and then go on to train as a Canine Rehabilitation Therapist, through the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.
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THE MIDDLE .... While finishing school, my retriever was his usually happy go lucky self (they’re such happy dogs, he would later teach me some life lessons around this...) but Sammie seemed to have something going on in her hind end and I noticed she was scuffing her toenails. The original diagnosis was arthritis in her spine but later another vet thought it was something else. Degenerative myelopathy, aka DM. At the time, I didn’t know much a bout the disease except that it was a progressive disease of the spine, similar to ALS.
I remember being on my first canine rehab course in the wintertime in Ontario. On this particular day it was snowing. During one of the sessions, a couple came in with a thin, 14yo Rhodesian Ridgeback in a blue cart, with one of her rear legs in a stirrup. She had DM. I remember standing and taking video of the dog when suddenly I was overwhelmed with emotion. I stoped recording, walked outside, no jacket and stood in the middle of the parking lot. Tears rolled down my face. I had just realized my girl’s potential future and I was going to everything I could to keep her strong, mobile and living the good life.
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TWO YEARS LATER.... I can thank my beloved Mr Reg for giving me the courage to make canine rehab my main thing. Reggie’s wisdom has shown me that there is always more than what meets the eye to any situation, and that I need to embrace life with love, gratitude and enthusiastic selfless service. He helped me realize that pet parents and their fur kids are my people and that I wouldn’t be happy until I fully embraced that.
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TODAY.... And here we are today, 2019. A lot has changed and a lot of growth has happened. Both my fur kids have taught me some supreme lessons about life and the importance of living every day to the fullest, to trust my instincts and to never give up. Let’s be honest, I’m still figuring a lot of this out. But, I believe whole heartedly that I was put on this planet to learn from our four legged friends and to help pet parents help their dogs, in some capacity. If you are reading this right now, then I already know how much you love and want the best for your dog and that we were meant to connect.
I think I can speak on behalf of my fellow physical therapists in the field of canine rehab when I say that we believe that every pet parent should be informed of ALL options for care for their dogs, to be able to access the best care for their dogs for the specific condition, and to be empowered to make informed decisions.
One of the challenges with this most pet parents don’t know that CANINE REHABILITATION for musculoskeletal and neurological conditions can be performed by licensed physical therapists, with specialized training. I want to help change this knowledge gap for two simple reasons:
The first is personal - to honour my dogs and all they have taught me.
The second is about you - canine rehabilitation has added years to my dog’s lives and I believe with all my heart that every pet parent should be able to utilize movement as medicine, under the guidance of a licensed physical therapist, trained in canine rehabilitation, for the betterment and longevity of their dog.
Together, we can help our dogs lead long, active, healthy and happy lives!
