Can we get Mylo back?

This is Mylo, he is an 8-year-old Labrador, he lives at home with his owners Stephanie and Darren, and their little girl.

 

Presenting issue

• Limping
• Slow on walks
• Stiffness
• Daily pain
• Disinterested in life
• Did not want to play anymore
• Didn’t get on the sofa or bed with the owners anymore
• Sad/Depressed
• Veterinary diagnosed Osteoarthritis

 

Reason for massage

At the young age of 4, Mylo was diagnosed with multiple joint Osteoarthritis. He developed an intermittent limp and has been on pain medication ever since. Mylo’s owners noticed him gradually declining, to the point they feel “he is just sad all of the time.” Mylo’s vets undertook more x-rays but were unable to identify anything else that would be causing further pain.

Stephanie explained, “previously as a younger dog, he was bouncy full of life and wanted to play with every dog we saw! and now doesn’t want to interact with other dogs.”

His owners felt that although the medication seemed to help with the limping, he seemed to be in pain daily and becoming more withdrawn. His weight had also started to become an issue, where this was never the case before.

Admittedly, Stephanie advised she was sceptical of Clinical Canine Massage but wanted to give anything a go to try to help Mylo be in less pain and get the old him back.  She felt they had nothing to lose.

 

What happened during treatment and what did we find?

The first day Mylo came in for his treatment he just looked like a wee lost soul.  There was no tail wag, no excited ‘hello!’, and no interest to explore the new environment. Whilst Stephanie and I went through the consultation process, Mylo sat away from us both, just not bothered about anything. Stephanie and I discussed how she feels his behaviour has completely changed from how he used to be, she feels it is directly related to the pain he is in. As Osteoarthritis is incurable and he is already on pain relief, Stephanie felt at a loss to make him feel better. She felt Mylo would get on better without her being with him in the room and so she left us to it.

It was clear from an analysis of Mylo’s gait that he was indeed very stiff and sore, even his tail was rigid, and his head hung low.  Mylo wasn’t comfortable at all but with a very quiet approach he eventually allowed for some palpation. I found that Mylo had various muscular issues such as:

• Severe Hypertonicity
• Strains
• Trigger Points
• Myofascial Pain

Over time, these muscular issues have accumulated, and some have become chronic.  Most of the issues have likely occurred by the continual overcompensation and irregular gait due to the Osteoarthritis.

Over Mylo’s 3 sessions, I used a variety of techniques to help with his issues, including: Swedish massage, sports massage, deep tissue, myofascial release and the unique Lenton Method® used exclusively by Canine Massage Guild members only.

 

The results

• No longer limping
• Is running when out on walks
• Moving with more ease, no longer stiff
• Initiating play with owners and other dogs
• Now wants to get on the sofa and bed again
• He’s happy!

 

How has Clinical Canine Massage changed Mylo?

Following the first session Mylo was extremely tired and had a very long sleep. Later in the evening I received a message from a very surprised and shocked Stephanie “How quickly is this therapy supposed to work?! Are you sure you brought Mylo back and not switched him with a younger model??!!” Stephanie could not believe how much happier Mylo was already, after just one session! I then received another message from Stephanie the following morning to say that he almost ran for his whole walk, he met another dog and wanted to play! Following his dinner that evening he also initiated play in the garden by throwing his ball about, Stephanie advised that this is the first time in well over a year that he has done any of this and she was astonished at how engaged he had become overnight.

Over the next two sessions, Mylo was super happy to be with me and laid down for his sessions without even being asked. There was a noticeable difference in Mylo’s gait, he was holding his head higher and his tail was wagging (the tail wagging was so good to see!).  We continued to work with the problematic areas and due to the Hypertonicity subsiding; I was able to work with Mylo on the deeper-rooted issues in his soft tissue.

Due to Mylo’s increased flexibility and comfort levels, he also has an added bonus to his treatment; following his recent vet check-up, his vet was pleased to say that Mylo has lost a whole 2.9kg!! All that extra playing and running around has made all the difference to get him fit again. The weight loss will also go a long way to help ease the pain of his arthritic limbs.

 

What the owners say

“After the first session I was absolutely gob smacked, he was like a different dog!”  On one of Mylo’s first walks following his first session, Stephanie said “on his small wander, he was briskly walking and tail was up and just loving life – we saw another dog and he was nose to nose, tail wagging and wanted to play!”

Following all of Mylo’s sessions, his owners had this to say:

“After all sessions were complete, he was like a puppy again! He was back to his old self and like a brand-new dog, he is totally loving life, wanting to play and doesn’t seem as down at all. His dog walker has even commented on his improved mobility and personality – he is back to playing with the group and doing zoomies!

The change has been unreal!   

We honestly can’t thank Claire enough for giving us our dog back – we are so grateful to see that he is no longer in as much pain, and we can give him a better life by continuing with the treatment.

 You have made us so, so happy; Mylo is back to his old self!”

 

Conclusion

You don’t have to allow chronic pain to dictate how your dog feels, give them the help they need to feel themselves again and enjoy their life to the full!! Clinical Canine Massage cannot cure Osteoarthritis but it can be crucial for management and improvement from pain…….just look at Mylo!

 

 

About the author

Claire McGurk is a member of the Canine Massage Guild. She runs the Canine Bodywork Clinic based in West Lothian, Borders, Lanarkshire. You can find out more about Claire at www.caninebodyworkclinic.com.

 

About the Canine Massage Guild

After 10 years, the Canine Massage Guild continues to lead the way with a network of highly skilled Clinical Canine Massage Therapists based around the country.  We specialise in soft tissue rehabilitation and provide chronic pain management for orthopaedic conditions.

In clinical trials with Winchester University, which studied the efficacy of the Lenton Method®, 95% of dogs responded positively to clinical canine massage therapy.  Available here, as published in ‘Vet Record’ by the British Veterinary Association.

Providing results you can see and your dog can feel!

To find your local Canine Massage Guild practitioner, visit https://www.k9-massageguild.co.uk/therapistregister/