Allow me to introduce Jet, a 13-year-old, black Labrador.

His owner, Karen first contacted me in December 2019 as she was concerned that Jet was becoming increasingly unsteady on his feet around the house and was being easily knocked off balance by the other dogs – two younger, bouncy Labradors. Boots were helping to give him some traction on the wooden flooring, but they didn’t seem to stay on his feet for very long.

Jet’s main issues and things to note:
• History of lumbar pain possibly related to previously diagnosed spondylosis.
• Loss of muscle around the hips and suspected arthritis. Hip dysplasia had been ruled out by the vets. Painful right hip, dislikes being touched in that area.
• Increasingly unsteady on his feet and easily knocked off balance by the other dogs.
• Stiffness when getting out of his bed.
• Tires easily on walks.
• Deteriorating eyesight over the last few years. Jet manages to get about around the house and garden but will walk into things if they are out of position.
• Takes Carprieve tablets, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory for his arthritis.
• Has regular hydrotherapy sessions in a treadmill tank, every 2 weeks.

 

Placing rugs on slippery flooring

At the first session it was noted that Jet walks with a ‘waddling’ gait and that his front feet turn in (the right more so than the left). He was sore and dipped away from light pressure in the lumbar area of his back corresponding to the Iliocostalis muscle and was generally sore and uncomfortable in the area around his right hip. Jet found lying on his side difficult and became easily unsettled but by allowing him to lie in a sphinx position or sit, I managed to adapt my techniques to allow him to be more comfortable.

At the end of the first session it was agreed that some more rugs would be placed in key areas around the house to help Jet maintain his footing and stop him losing his balance. Dogs are digitigrade which means they walk on their digits or toes (like a ballerina walking on pointe). Consequently, they can find it difficult to keep their balance on slippery flooring like wood, laminate and tiles and can easily injure themselves if they are constantly slipping. The use of rugs and runners on these types of flooring can help prevent dogs from losing their footing.

 

“After just one session there was a huge difference”

After three sessions Jet’s comfort levels had improved such that he found it easier to settle during treatment. He would still lie in a sphinx position but was able to roll onto the other hip allowing me to work on his hind legs – between the two of us we developed a system that allowed me to maximise the benefits for him.

 

Karen said “When we first called Fiona we really thought Jet was beyond help. As a 13-year-old Labrador his back legs were stiff, and he often slipped and fell. After just one session there was a huge difference and after 2 or 3 Jet was able to get around more easily, was in less pain and far steadier on his feet”.

Also, at that time it was apparent that:
• Jet was moving better out on walks and had been seen having a little trot!
• Had more enthusiasm when out on his walks.
• Most importantly he was steadier on his feet around the house and was rarely knocked off balance by the other 2 dogs.
• The comfort levels around his right hip had vastly improved.

 

Clinical Canine Massage in conjunction with Hydrotherapy

A plan of maintenance massage was devised to work in conjunction with Jet’s hydrotherapy sessions. I saw Jet on 28th February 2020, and he was doing well, then before our next session Covid-19 happened and everything went into lockdown! I kept in contact with Karen during this time and talked her through some basic effleurage strokes that they could use to help him.

I next saw Jet on 13th June after a gap of 15 weeks when Karen contacted me to say that Jet had started losing his footing around the house again.
At that visit I found Jet to be very stiff in his hind legs when walking and unsteady on his feet when turning sharply. He also had wide ranging myofascial pain (seen as a twitch) over his thorax on both sides. Karen felt that his eyesight had deteriorated further and that losing his footing could be related to him not seeing things clearly enough.

 

 

 

 

Much steadier on his feet and enjoying short walks again

At the time of writing, after a number of massage treatments, Jet is back to being much steadier on his feet and is enjoying short walks again most days.

Karen continued with “Suffice to say the difference again, when he could have therapy after lockdown, was very noticeable. Jet enjoys the sessions and really gets a spring back in his step afterwards”.

Certain measures have been put in place by the family to ensure his comfort and safety. Jet is no longer allowed on the sofa, as despite everyone’s best efforts he would launch himself on and off, not doing himself any good in the process. There is a block of wood by the back door that helps him get in and out more easily. A ‘help ‘em up’ harness has been bought but so far has not been needed as the other measures seem to be helping but it is there should the need arise.

Going forward Jet’s comfort and quality of life are of paramount importance to his family and together we strive to keep him on his feet and happy.

 

About the Author

Fiona Hughes is a member of the Canine Massage Guild. She runs Cople Canine Massage Therapy, based in Cople, Bedfordshire. Find out more at www.ccmt.pro

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Canine Massage Guild

 

Proudly celebrating 10 years of highly skilled Clinical Canine Massage Therapists, specialising in soft tissue injury rehabilitation and providing chronic pain management for orthopaedic conditions.

In clinical trials with Winchester University 95% of dogs responded positively to clinical canine massage therapy, as published in ‘Vet Record’ by the British Veterinary Association.

Providing results you can see and your dog can feel!

 

Find your local Canine Massage Guild therapist: www.k9-massageguild.co.uk/therapistregister/