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Message 1 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24M A G A Z I N EAnimalerapyCanine Hydrotherapy Governance and qualications in the UKISSUE 24Case study specialA fantastic selection of case studies with a variety of species.National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists 2021 conference
2Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24For current stock and full product details please visit our website.01403 597597www.trimbio.co.uksales@trimbio.co.ukWhy buy an Equiband System?Direct and constant stimulation of core musculature during locomotion.No habituation to the resistance band, providing constant proprioceptive feedback in motion.Continuous physical resistance promoting stability in movement.The horse maintains an intact posture during dynamic exercise - no possibility of “cheating” strategies. Available in X-Small, Small, Regular and Large.£180.00+VATThe New Trimwave device delivers H-wave therapy, with fully selectable frequencies from 1Hz to 200Hz including the popular 2Hz and 60Hzfrequencies.Option to set timer to 30 minutes or operate in a continuous manual mode.Included Accessories:Carry Bag Mains Charger2 Sets of Electrode Leads2 Packs of 5x5cm Self-Adhesive Electrodes 2 Mobile Electrodes2 5cm x 5cm Rubber ElectrodesOperating ManualA digital backlit screen that shows battery charge status, the frequency and intensity. £1,595+VATLarge Wobble Cushions & Peanut Rollers Ideal for animal therapy. Two limbs can be easily placed on the cushion, to improve balance and proprioception work.Laser PackageThese packages are ideal for animal therapy practitioners as we can mix and match the probes and clusters to suit the required eld of treatment. Neurotrac Sports Muscle StimA dual channel muscle stim which has 15 preset programmes and the option to store 3 custom programmes.Call or visit our website for latest pricing.£19.95+VATPrices As Low As £73.95+VATVetkin-TapeA robust tape with good ventilation. 20% larger than human tapes and gives maximum results for animals. Prices Start At£6.25+VATTrimwave delivering H-Wave Therapy Equiband SystemACPAT - Animal Therapy Version 1 .indd 1 20/05/2021 15:29
3 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24GET IN TOUCH:Hannah Ashton – Editorhannah@animaltherapymedia.co.ukBeth Lorraine - Sales Manager info@animaltherapymedia.co.ukDonna Boddie - Account Manager donna@animaltherapymedia.co.ukTony Nevin - Podcasts and Research tony@animaltherapymedia.co.ukWelcome! After what seemed to be the longest and wettest winter in the UK, the sun most denitely has his hat on at the moment. Long may it last.When we launched Animal Therapy Media, our aim was to educate owners and other professionals in all things related to the treatment of animals with therapeutic methods. For this issue we really wanted to focus on the professionals in the eld (or surgery), the amazing work they do and the often unexpected results they get, and so we have provided you with some brilliant case studies of many dierent species.A huge thank you to the therapists who have taken the time to write up their cases so we can all learn from their success.We really hope you enjoy reading these and of course, please do get in touch if you have anything to share.Thanks as alwaysTeam Animal Therapy MediaCONTENTSM A G A Z I N EAnimalerapyAnimal Skincarewww.leucillin.co.ukLeucillin is a safe, effective and versatile skincare solution mimicking the body’s own immune system, it isspecially formulated to match the natural pH of your pets skin.Leucillin is non-toxic, will not sting and is safe for all skin types including ears, eyes and sensitive skin.Leucillin quickly relieves, soothes and calms for good skin and coat condition.Available from all good pet shops, Pets At Home and Just For Pets storesTHE NATURAL WAYTO CARE FOR YOURPETS SKINFast acting formula soothing and calming to: effective allergy managementskinfold care for brachycephalic breeds itchy skinsore pawscuts, grazes & post surgical sitesweepy eyesirritated ears dry, flakey or smelly skin 100% safe on all skin typesFor all mammals, birds & reptilesYour Pet Safe Antiseptic SprayTough on Pathogens includingMRSA, E.coli & SARS-C0V-2Yet skin pH NeutralGentle to SkinSafe for All The Family FP_JULY20.qxp_Layout 1 03/09/2020 16:18 Page 1Photizo - shines a light on an Alpaca ____________ 4NAVP Virtual Conference 2021 _________________8Happiness in Motion ________________________10Epsom Salts - Indispensable __________________13Acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion __________________________________14Spondylosis ________________________________ 1Physiotherapy - Bruno the Calf ________________16Canine Massage Guild - Thorn the Labrador ____18Canine cranial cruciate ligament injury ________22Hartpury University - Canine Hydrotherapy ____26Tony Nevin - Helping Injured Hedgehogs _______ 30 CAM - Client Education ______________________32www.animaltherapymedia.co.ukWhile every eort has been made to ensure that information is correct at the time of going to print, Animal Therapy Media Ltd cannot be held responsible for the outcome of any action or decision based on the information contained in this publication/website. The publishers or authors do not give any warranty for the completeness or accuracy for this publication’s content, explanation or opinion. No part of this publication and/or website may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without prior written permission of Animal Therapy Media Ltd and/or the authors of the articles within. Permission is only deemed valid if approval is in writing.Front cover image: Vicki Agar in a eld at Spring Farm Alpacas with the wonderfully engaging Lawrence, Lazy and L’Orient. Brought up and handled with kindness, patience and respect, these timid creatures are wonderful to have around. Being in their presence is extremely calming for both humans and other animals alike - see full story on page 4.ISSUE 24Issued QuarterlyFor current stock and full product details please visit our website.01403 597597www.trimbio.co.uksales@trimbio.co.ukWhy buy an Equiband System?Direct and constant stimulation of core musculature during locomotion.No habituation to the resistance band, providing constant proprioceptive feedback in motion.Continuous physical resistance promoting stability in movement.The horse maintains an intact posture during dynamic exercise - no possibility of “cheating” strategies. Available in X-Small, Small, Regular and Large.£180.00+VATThe New Trimwave device delivers H-wave therapy, with fully selectable frequencies from 1Hz to 200Hz including the popular 2Hz and 60Hzfrequencies.Option to set timer to 30 minutes or operate in a continuous manual mode.Included Accessories:Carry Bag Mains Charger2 Sets of Electrode Leads2 Packs of 5x5cm Self-Adhesive Electrodes 2 Mobile Electrodes2 5cm x 5cm Rubber ElectrodesOperating ManualA digital backlit screen that shows battery charge status, the frequency and intensity. £1,595+VATLarge Wobble Cushions & Peanut Rollers Ideal for animal therapy. Two limbs can be easily placed on the cushion, to improve balance and proprioception work.Laser PackageThese packages are ideal for animal therapy practitioners as we can mix and match the probes and clusters to suit the required eld of treatment. Neurotrac Sports Muscle StimA dual channel muscle stim which has 15 preset programmes and the option to store 3 custom programmes.Call or visit our website for latest pricing.£19.95+VATPrices As Low As £73.95+VATVetkin-TapeA robust tape with good ventilation. 20% larger than human tapes and gives maximum results for animals. Prices Start At£6.25+VATTrimwave delivering H-Wave Therapy Equiband SystemACPAT - Animal Therapy Version 1 .indd 1 20/05/2021 15:29
4Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24Photizo shines a light on an Alpaca in East Sussexwith Photizo Vetcareby Anna Webb on behalf of Photizo VetcareBroadcaster, Author, Trainer has studied natural nutrition and therapies with the College of Integrated Veterinary Therapies (CIVT)PHOTIZOSpring Farm in East Sussex is home to 115 Alpacas and some Llamas. Set in over 100 acres of ‘wildlife friendly’ land, its run by husband and wife team, Vicki and Chris Agar.Realising a dream for farming the couple built their herd gradually over the past 20 years. Comprising both varieties of Alpaca: the Huacaya and the Suri, Spring Farm prides itself as supporting wildlife with their Alpaca as natural conservationists, thriving on low fertility, wild ower pastures, thereby increasing bio-diversity. Passionate about these unique creatures, Vicki Agar studied Zoology and Comparative Physiology at Queen Mary College. London, which is why their breeding program is all about welfare, health, productive and strong conformation. As a relatively small industry in the UK, breeders of Alpaca are enthusiasts, committed to health of their livestock and follow strict guidance from the British Alpaca Society. Currently there’s only about 25,000 Alpaca in the UK, but its growing yearly as people consider diversication.Spring Farm highlights how sustainable and low maintenance Alpaca can be, either as a bre producing livestock or an educational asset to a visitor attraction. Alpaca are known to be inquisitive and like interacting with people.At Spring Farm there’s workshops for budding Alpaca owners, covering all aspects of their husbandry, also Alpaca walks, and mindfulness experiences to help get to know these fascinating creatures better. Not to mention craft days, including spinning and weaving their unique wool.Oering a British bre industry to satisfy the demand for natural, ethical and humane, Alpaca bre is stronger than sheep’s wool, and second only in strength to silk. It can be as ne as cashmere. As a hardy bre that doesn’t pill easily, Alpaca bre is in demand for sustainable fashion, crafts, but also for carpets, ooring and natural soft furnishings and upholstery.Originating from the Andes Alpacas are hardy animals and require minimal daily attention, yet at Spring Farm the herd is ‘checked over’ on a twice daily basis. continued overleafVicki in a eld at Spring Farm Alpacas with the wonderfully engaging Lawrence, Lazy and L’Orient. Brought up and handled with kindness, patience and respect, these timid creatures are wonderful to have around. Being in their presence is extremely calming for both humans and other animals alike.
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6Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24Vicki Agar explained:“Our Alpacas have brought us so much joy. They’re extraordinary creatures with distinct personalities. We wanted to enjoy farming, without producing a product that would end up in the meat market, originally. Our priority is to help establish Alpacas both in the UK and Overseas by breeding responsibly. We’ve taken that to new levels introducing an agility course for our herd, a set of equipment that helps increase their condence on a halter as well as having extra human interaction, and enrichment.”When one Alpaca went very lame with a collapsed pastern, Vicki called in Penny Thorpe, an Equine Podiatrist and Photizo Practitioner. Conrming the injury, Penny demonstrated the Photizo Vetcare in action, and provided support for both the knee and elbow joints to take the pressure away from the delicate pastern area. Vicki explained: “I was so heartened to see a dierence and the lameness improve so quickly. I was new to the potential of Red-Light Therapy at this point. That said we believe in natural alternatives, like acupuncture. We began using the Vetcare on Rillian a youngster who as a junior was diagnosed with arthritis above his knee joint. Cured by splinting his leg daily for eight months allowed the bone above his knee to repair, but he always had a weakness there. Last summer aged only four years, he was going repeatedly lame again, which we assumed was due to the hard, dry ground. We had just started using Photizo at this point. Since then, we’ve succeeded to manage his condition. He hasn’t become lame and is mobile again. Since seeing how the Vetcare made a positive dierence on Rillian, we started to use the device on some of our ‘seniors’. Initially I was concerned that the light wouldn’t penetrate through their thick eeces. Where we can, we’ll part the eece and apply the dose as close to the skin as we can, but we’ve also seen success through a dense eece. It’s been so rewarding to hear the Alpaca do their distinctive gurgling sound when we apply Photizo on their acupressure points, hamstrings and shoulders. Cats purr, Alpaca gurgle! It’s their seal of approval. What’s more the portability of the unit, with its pre-programmed doses, makes using it on the farm so easy. It’s a product we will denitely be recommending to future Alpaca owners.” The Vetcare is known for promoting natural healing across all musculoskeletal conditions, and is championed by vets, vet nurses and Animal Physiotherapists, massage therapists and natural health practitioners across the UK. Harnessing an optimum dose of evidence based Red and near Infra-Red Light, the Vetcare triggers a cascade of biological reactions beneath the skin’s PHOTIZOsurface. It targets the aicted areas by stimulating cellular energy (ATP) in any damaged cells. It also oers natural pain relief by increasing blood, oxygen and lymph ow, reducing inammation and pain. The pre-programmed doses make it easy to monitor the application of the light. As the light waves are delivered using advanced LED (Lighting Emitting Diodes) technology, Photizo Vetcare poses no risk to your eyes, and there’s no need for cumbersome eyewear.At Spring Farm there’s inevitably some scratches and bruises incurred by the Alpaca and the human residents. Learning about the Vetcare’s abilities to heal wounds fascinated Vicki who put Vetcare to the test. Vicki enthused: “I was at rst surprised at how eective the Vetcare is at healing bruises, small cuts, and grazes on us. We’ve also helped a number of Alpaca with localised hair loss, seeing re-growth through healthier skin almost immediately. I’m also using Vetcare preventatively when the ground is particularly damp, o-setting any problems with their feet. I never imagined the Vetcare would be so useful on the farm. As grazing animals our herd’s conformation is a priority, especially as we’ve just expanded our Alpaca experiences to include walking with Alpaca excursions across the farm. As we ease out of lockdown, we hope more people will enjoy tuning into nature with our Alpacas showing them the way.”Ruth Milner MD at Danetre Health Products, the sole UK distributor for Photizo added: “We are so pleased that our Vetcare unit has exceeded expectation at Spring Farm. It’s the result of years of research and the burgeoning eld of Photobiomodulation, which is also known as Low level light therapy. It’s a eld that’s expanding, as a result of its non-invasive eects, easy to use, and natural. New research even goes to suggest that red light, in the correct dose, can trigger a calming eect by releasing endorphins. The Vetcare features as part of our Homecare range along with the new Medical CE approved Pain Relief; Sports, Skin Care and the beauty device, Blush.”Vicki with Rillian, a youngster being treated for arthritis in his knee and elbow joints.
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8Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 247 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24This year we are taking the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists conference onlineSATURDAY 9th OCTOBER 2021, 9am to 5pmTo book tickets please go to www.trybooking.co.uk/BAJG
9 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24Animal Therapy Magazine was born in 2015 and created by professional animal therapists working in the eld day to day.Whilst there are internal membership publications we felt there wasn’t really a publication dedicated to treating animals with therapeutic techniques that was available to professionals and owners at all levels. Our content aims to provide education to anyone working with animals whether that be vets, therapists, trainers, behaviourists, competitors and of course the dedicated pet owner who wants to do everything they can to keep their beloved friend as happy, healthy and comfortable as possible.In June 2019, Animal Therapy Media launched their rst Podcast and since then we have recorded many more. You can follow us on Mixcloud under Animal Therapy Media to hear our existing and new releases hot o the press.We release issues 4 times a year. Our content comes from people working in the eld giving us fantastic, current case studies as well as covering topics and solutions that crop up in their day to day working. We keep a breadth of new and emerging products including nutrition and techniques as well as evolving research from existing products. The animal therapy industry is constantly growing and continuous education is paramount. As such we have partnered with some fantastic associations, CPD events, conferences and webinars to help guide people to top quality speakers and research.We invite anyone working within animal therapy to get in touch if they have content they would like to share, however, the therapies must be recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, have full and accredited training. Practitioners must work alongside vets / under veterinary referral and they must hold professional insurance.We pride ourselves in being neutral across recognised therapies and supportive to those people who have great information to share but not yet the condence in their ability to communicate it.For any content requests please contact Hannah at: Hannah@animaltherapymedia.co.ukFor all advertising enquiries please contact Beth at: info@animaltherapymedia.co.ukwww. animaltherapymedia.co.ukSUBSCRIBE NOW You can subscribe to read our online copy for just £10 per year.Further information can be found on our website animaltherapymedia.co.ukM A G A Z I N EAnimalerapy
10Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 2410Happiness in MotionWHEN 2020 brought us to a standstill our pets kept us going. When we couldn’t be with our extended friends and family our pets sat by our sides and oered a source of constant comfort and distraction. Pets give us purpose, even more so now than ever before. For all petsmovement matters; movement is freedom, movement is living, movement is happiness. Our pets are pure happiness in motion, our job is to keep them that way!Most often reported in seniordogs,osteoarthritis aects 80% of dogs over the age of 8. It is also estimated that as many as 90% of all older cats suer (often undiagnosed) with mobility issues such as osteoarthritis. One breed of canine in particular; German shepherds are genetically predisposed to joint issues and are highly susceptible; to challenging hip joint abnormalities that can occur at any time in their life. Naturally stoic and highly trainable, German Shepherds are the seventh-most registered breed byThe Kennel Clubin the United Kingdom and often considered the perfect working dog.Meet NoahA rear amputee German Shepherd with deformation in his remaining rear leg. Further surgery, a Tibial Plateau Levelling Osteotomy (TPLO) seems to be helping. However, he also has early osteoarthritic changes in his stie as well as both his elbows. Mum Vicky says: “For Noah pain management and supplements that work are absolutely crucial for his quality of life. I am relieved to say that Antinol seems to be helping him. Not only that, but when the specialist internal medicine vet removed most of his dietary additives in order to reduce IBD inammation, Antinol was the only additive he was allowed to continue with.”VETZ PETZAntinol An all-natural joint supplement has no caloric eect on a pet’s diet, is considered safe for gastrointestinal tract issues and can be taken with all medication. Find out if your pet suers from joint and mobility problems by doing the Antinol online pet Mobility Screening, developed by osteoarthritis expert Dr. Brian Beale.All new customers who complete the screening are eligible for a FREE 30-Day Sampling of Antinol.For more details visit: www.vetzpetz.co.uk
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12Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24EPSOM SALTNOURISHES THE COATENHANCES HOT CLOTHINGAIDS SHEDDINGREDUCES INFLAMMATION®www.horseandgroomepsomsalt.co.ukA5 DOG LEAFLET.indd 2 15/12/2020 12:14
13 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24The benets of Horse & Groom® Epsom Salt include:• Naturally Antibacterial If your horse has suered a bite or graze, this can attract ies and expose the skin to infection. With its natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, an Epsom salt treatment can support the health of your horse’s skin.• Calming and Soothing If your horse is of a nervous or excitable nature introducing Epsom salt into their care regimes can be a useful calming aid while promoting rest and recovery.• Shedding Support When your horse approaches its bi-annual shedding, Horse & Groom®Epsom salt can help. Our Epsom salt aids the process by exfoliating to remove the old coat, while conditioning and supporting the healthy development of the new coat.• Poultices and Infection Hoof abscesses and bruising can cause discomfort and inconvenience. Using an Epsom salt poultice can help draw out infection and aid recovery. The poultice also acts to soothe muscles, leg and joint soreness while reducing any swelling or inammation so your horse can return to their usual healthy self.• Deep Cleaning Whether your horse has enjoyed a mud bath in manure or experienced a particularly mucky hack, our Epsom salt can help deep clean problem areas, removing oily residues and caked-in grime.• Safe and Accredited We’re accredited by the Pet Industry Federation to give you condence and trust in our product. We’ll only ever provide the best for horses because we understand just how important they are to their families and your customers but also because we genuinely feel all horses deserve nothing but the best. • Availability Horse & Groom® Epsom salt is available in 25kg bags perfect for use in yards, equine spas or in stabling at your home. Indispensable!Horse & Groom® Epsom SaltHORSE & GROOMAt Horse & Groom® we believe every wash down should be a soothing and restorative treat for all horses. We oer only the nest quality Epsom salt, just as mother nature intended, for all horses to benet. Horse & Groom® delivers only the nest quality Epsom salt so our beloved equine companions can benet from them every day. Epsom salt has been enjoyed by people for over 400 years, so we felt it was about time our four-legged companions got to enjoy these healing benets too. And we’re sure you will be coming back for more once they’ve tried them.Beyond Grooming – Natural and versatileWe understand the importance of providing the very best care for your horses. Horse & Groom® Epsom salt is only ever the highest quality and completely free from all anti-caking agents, articial colours and additives. This enables your horses to experience the full benet of this trusted remedy. A Horse & Groom® treatment is easy to do simply dissolve the salts in warm water and use as a soak, spray or apply with grooming mitt or cloth to keep your horses looking and feeling their best – they can even be added to equine shampoo! Don’t just take our word for itWe truly believe in the restorative healing properties of Epsom salts to soothe the rigours of equine life. Here’s what one of our rst customers had to say about their experience: The team chasing season has been a tough one this year as the ground has been rock solid. I have been soaking my thoroughbred’s legs in Epsom salts after each race and it has kept him sound and competing each weekend. Thank goodness for Horse & Groom® Epsom salts.Whether you are an individual or a business please visit our website www.horseandgroomepsomsalt.co.uk to nd out more about our natural high quality Epsom salts. To enjoy a 15% discount on your rst shop simply enter horseandgroom15 at the checkout. www.horseandgroomepsomsalt.co.ukFollow us on social media @horseandgroomepsomsalt❝❞EPSOM SALTNOURISHES THE COATENHANCES HOT CLOTHINGAIDS SHEDDINGREDUCES INFLAMMATION®
14Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24Acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusionby Matthew Scott BSc (Hons) MNAVPCASE 1: 4 years 9 month, Male, Labrador RetrieverHistory: Owner noticed the dog running down to the bottom of the garden, yelped, and then could not use pelvic limbs. He was admitted to hospital where a neurological exam and MRI revealed T13-L1 acute non-compressive nucleus pulposus extrusion (ANNPE). He was immediately put on cage rest and taken out several times a day for toileting.Presentation: Ambulatory with assistance and paraparetic (very asymmetrical, right pelvic limb had minimal hip motion) whilst hospitalised. Conscious proprioception was absent on the right and slow but present on the left, spinal reexes were intact. Hypertonic muscle tone through pectineus, sartorius, and medial gluteal bilaterally, increased tone through biceps brachii and scapula musculature. Range of motion was within normal limits.14CASE STUDYTreatment: Physiotherapy whilst hospitalised consisted of massage and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) of both pelvic limbs, as well as rhythmic stabilisation and proprioceptive foot slides. The patient left the hospital still requiring a sling to walk and dragging the right pelvic limb (owner given PAWZ boot). His home plan remained the same as the hospitalised plan for several weeks with the only change being less support when slowly walked out for toilet breaks. At 4 weeks post-injury underwater treadmill (UWTM) hydrotherapy began, as did 10-minute slow lead walks, low cavaletti walking, and progression from rhythmic stabilisations to more exaggerated weight shifting. As the patient’s strength and neurological function of the right pelvic limb improved, the time spent on the treadmill and on walks was gradually increased, cavaletti rails were raised, and exercises such as 3 and 2 leg standing, weaving, incline walking, sit down to stands were gradually introduced. By around 5 months post-injury the patient had mildly reduced proprioception on the right pelvic limb and was minimally ataxic when trotting. The dog was only allowed o lead when in the garden and not on walks as the owner feared he would go too quick, but he was on a long line. Maintenance sessions were kept up every 6-8 weeks to maintain his pelvic limb function and maintain his mobility through his thoracic limbs.
15 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24Spondylosisby Matthew Scott BSc (Hons) MNAVPCASE 2: 1 year 9 month, Male, BeagleHistory: Presented to the vet with a week long history of hopping on right pelvic limb every other stride and reluctance to jump into car. Upon examination, reduced hip extension (right>left) was present and a kyphotic lumbar spinal posture. X-ray revealed narrowed L6-L7 disc space/spondylosis, hips within normal limits. He was started on gabapentin due to some previous gastrointestinal issues with NSAIDs. At this time was on 2x 10 minute walks a day but active around the house.Presentation: Mildly ooading right pelvic limb but willing to have the left lifted. Mild carpal valgus and straight pelvic limb conformation. No obvious lameness when moving, reduced active range of motion of the hips, and reluctant to move at a slow walk (owner walked on anti-pull harness). Hopping occurs when transitioning from trot to canter. When asked to sit he sat with tarsus externally rotated (right>left). Myofascial trigger points present bilaterally in medial gluteal and longissimus around thoracolumbar spine with fasciculation upon palpation. Pain response to palpation of iliopsoas bilaterally (right>left). Increased muscle tone through shoulders, thoracolumbar junction, and biceps brachii. Reduced passive hip extension (right>left) with empty end feels, reduced lateral mobility of the thoracolumbar spine to the left. Reduced left biceps stretch.15 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24CASE STUDYthe left biceps brachii muscle. As passive hip extension improved, walking over cavaletti rails, baited stretches, and 2 leg diagonal standing were added to the home exercise plan, with less focus on passive stretching and massage. Able to move onto maintenance plan, with sessions every 8 weeks, and give the owner a maintenance home management and exercise plan to maintain strength, exibility, and comfort through the hips and lumbar spine. This also included advice to reduce the risk of the condition deteriorating as the dog ages.Treatment: Initial treatments consisted of PEMF over the back and iliopsoas, as well as massage and stretching of the iliopsoas. Home plan included change of harness to a “Y” shape, slow walking training, reward better sitting posture, and massage and stretching of the pelvic limbs. Over following weeks and months, frequency of the hopping decreased, with occasional are ups. Home plan had started to include active hip stretches (thoracic limbs on a step), tail pull stretches, 3 leg standing, and massage and passive stretching of
16Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 2416TREATMENT SESSION 1I started with Class IV LASER therapy to the swollen joints and the surrounding soft tissue to improve blood ow, extensibility and to reduce tension. This was followed by soft tissue massage and myofascial release, starting with the forelimbs, working our way down through the epaxial muscles stimulating spinal reexes and through to the hindlegs. After warming up the tissues I then proceeded with passive joint range of motion. At rst it was like trying to manipulate thick set cornour, but once you start to move the synovial uid and lubricate it around the joint you can start to extend and ex with much more ease and comfort. Tactile stimulation through squeezing/light pinching in between the hooves was used to utilise neuromuscular reexive responses and muscular facilitation. This treatment allowed us to place Bruno’s legs into a exed position and sit him up against a padded wall matt. I left the owners with massage, passive joint range of motion and turning to prevent further pressure sores. All animals can benet from Physiotherapyby Danielle McMahon, BSc (Hons), PgD (VetPhys.) MNAVP, AHPR registeredI rst met Bruno when a farming couple in Heatheld contacted me to say they had a bit of an unusual case on their hands. They had a 2-week-old calf who had never stood up and was unable to move any of his limbs. It started 2 weeks prior to my rst visit where they had a cow who was unknowingly in calf, so Bruno was very much a surprise birth in August 2020. He was found that day lying on the bed of straw, where at rst everything appeared to look normal. However, as time started to tick by, Bruno was still lying on his side with his head at on the ground. Within 1 hour of being born calves should be standing up and within 4 hours they should be nursing from their mum to gain maximum exposure from the colostrum. A couple of hours later the owners become concerned that something wasn’t right as Bruno was throwing his head up into the air, as if to try and propel himself up, only to land with a thud, nor were there any movement in his legs.The vet was called out to administer colostrum replacement through tube feeding and supplement injections. He examined Bruno head to hoof and could not nd anything abnormal and suggested uids and supplements for the next few days to see how the calf would respond. With no improvement after 10 days, Bruno’s owners were at a loss and could not bear seeing this calf with little quality of life. At 2 weeks I received a call and was asked to see if there was anything I could do. On examination Bruno presented with quadriplegia but deep pain was present. There was very limited muscle development globally, little to no joint range of motion and swelling in both carpal joints. He was drinking and toileting normally and was bright and alert. Bruno the CalfCASE STUDY16 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24
17 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24TREATMENT SESSION 2 4Passive joint mobility had greatly improved, and Bruno had gotten used to, and rather enjoyed sitting up and seeing the world from a dierent angle. I wanted him to learn to do this on his own. Using Bruno’s healthy appetite and the bottle to our advantage we would lay him on his side and encourage lateral abdominal crunches to sit back up. Working 1 side for 2 minutes, resting then working the other side for a further 2. Targeting core stability, spinal range of motion and co-ordination. Our next exercise was to encourage weight bearing and muscular activation. Bruno was placed over a physio ball and straight away he tried to take his weight onto his front legs. The hindlegs needed vigorous rubbing of the quadriceps femoris, m. to maintain stie extension. Cranio-caudal and lateral weight shifts helped stimulate proprioception, balance and active isometric muscle contractions. We started with 10 reps (holding for 3 seconds) 3 sets with rest in -between. He would tire very quickly. Owners were left with: Massage, PROM, lateral abdominal lifts, weight shifts on physio ball and baited stretches (lateral and ventral). TREATMENT SESSION 57At this stage we had Bruno sitting up on his own and when standing he could support his own weight on his forelimbs and had improvement in balance, co-ordination, and strength. He was able to stand for longer without tiring. Bruno decided to take the lead on this session and was determined to take his rst steps. We still had reduced proprioception in the hindlegs with cross over and buckling so we had one person supporting and placing them in the correct position and another rolling the physio ball. We soon found ourselves on the other side of the barn with only a few stumbles!To challenge Bruno musculoskeletal and proprioceptive abilities we added in turning in a walk (L & R), 3 leg stands, backward stepping and walking on dierent surfaces e.g., grass, straw and concrete (mainly to the bottle). I left the owners with these additional exercises for 3 days. TREATMENT SESSION 89Once again Bruno excelled and was walking, tentatively, with only an abdominal sling for support. The hindlegs had the occasional crossover but there was a noticeable improvement. So now I have a calf who could sit up and stand unaided , so now it was time to work on him physically standing up. We were racing against his growing clock as he was quickly becoming too heavy for 3 of us to lift. As in treatment session 2, we placed Bruno back in lateral recumbency and allowed him to sit up. I exed both the fore and hindlegs under him and sat 2 feet away with his feed. Cows naturally stand up with their hindlegs rst and then push up from their fores. Bruno decided to do this backwards and try his forelegs rst which imminently ended with him at on his side. With a second person we restarted and rubbed the quadriceps femoris, m. to encourage muscle activation. With a bit of a wobble and a few stumbles Bruno pushed up from the hindlegs, rested and then gave a big nal push up with the forelegs. It was such an emotional sight to see. We repeated this 5 times every feeding before Bruno became tired. 3 days of repeating this exercise and increasing our reps, Bruno’s persistence paid o and he stood up on his own. MAINTENANCE SESSIONSDay by day Bruno grows bigger and stronger and is now running! I visit for maintenance sessions about once a month to monitor muscle, joint development and movement as he continues to improve and grow. The owners are incredibly proactive with his physiotherapy exercises and we increase the challenge of every session e.g. walking forwards and backwards up hills, 3 leg stands on an incline, walking over unsteady terrain etc. whilst still maintaining our original treatments such as massage, joint range of motion and tactile stimulation. Bruno is extremely fortunate to have such hands on and dedicated owners that were focused to give him a full chance in life. We are still unsure of what the primary cause was for such a delay and his quadriplegia but seeing Bruno run in the elds and enjoy his life makes the time and eorts of everyone involved completely worth it for this one little life.Danielle McMahon, BSc (Hons), PgD (VetPhys.) MNAVP, AHPR registeredMcMahon Veterinary Physiotherapy07545 296642www.mcmahonvetphysio.co.uk17 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24
18Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24Thorn the LabradorFrom Timid and Nervy, to Sound and Full of Beans in just THREE Sessions!!by Suzanne Alexander of Highland Clinical Canine MassageSixteen weeks later Thorn was occasionally weight bearing when active, but during inactive moments was still holding her leg, and would become very lame after exercise. She did not like to be touched anywhere behind her mid line.She changed from an out-going, condent young dog to timid, nervy and prone to panic. Her car sickness increased and she would not get into a car voluntarily.”It was evident that Thorn was still experiencing pain. Alison had heard about the potential benets of Clinical Canine Massage and the indications were there that the pain might well be down to muscular issues. After gaining Veterinary consent, Alison brought Thorn to see me.“At Thorn’s rst appointment with Suzanne, she was very quiet and nervous but eventually went over and allowed Suzanne to start to work on her.A lot was achieved in the rst session as for a start Thorn allowed someone to touch her, and Suzanne quickly found areas of muscle damage in Thorn’s lower back and other places.”Thorn was visibly quite anxious but from observation I could see that she was reluctant to fully bear weight on her hind leg and there was muscle atrophy which given her history, wasn’t unexpected. I took plenty of time to gain Thorn’s trust - this is always of the utmost importance. By using Advanced Palpation and BodyMapping, over the course of three sessions I identied that Thorn had strained two of her muscles, her right Longissimus Dorsi and right External Abdominal Oblique. • A strain involves damage (a tear) to the muscle bres. The body repairs a strain by laying down scar tissue which is thick and brous. An eective but inecient repair, scar tissue is up to 50% less exible than the muscle bres it replaces. It is also more sensitive to pain and vulnerable to re-strain. A minor strain involves up to approximately 10% of the bres, a moderate one up to approximately 50% with a severe strain being a complete rupture requiring surgery.CASE STUDYEARLIER last year I met Thorn – (a black Labrador owned by Alison Alston) who has had an enormous impact on me as a therapist. Not only has Thorn helped to educate me (we learn something from every dog we treat) but she also showed me just how powerful Clinical Canine Massage can be in regards to behavioural changes. Her owner Alison starts the story:“In January 2019, Thorn injured herself by jumping a low wall and landing thirty feet down onto granite cobblestones. She was eleven months old. She presented with a swinging hind leg and was in deep shock - dazed and quiet.On examination, no discernible injury was found and the vet’s advice was anti-inammatories coupled with pain relief and rest. The lameness persisted with reluctance to weight bear on her hind leg.Two weeks later a second round of X-rays by a specialist orthopaedic vet showed a very minor chip o one of her metatarsal bones. The advice was rest and pain relief as and when required.18Thorn the rst time I met her
19 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24continued overleafWhen a muscle (or joint) is injured, the body will frequently attempt to minimise pain by recruiting the surrounding muscles into ‘splint mode’. • Muscle Splinting involves the muscles becoming tight and tense, essentially forming a ‘cast’ to limit movement of the injured muscle thus minimising pain. Quite often, the brain forgets to ‘switch-o’ this protective mechanism and the muscles become habitually tight and/or hypertonic. • Hypertonic is a muscle which is holding too much resting tension and cannot relax.• A Tight Muscle is one being held in an abnormally shortened state by its surrounding fascia. Muscles in splint mode are unable to function normally leading to myofascial pain and trigger points. This is exactly what had happened with Thorn. Personally, I have also experienced this myself after being bucked-o a horse and I can tell you that it is incredibly painful. The body responds to painful muscle splinting by recruiting more muscles into splint mode leading to a chronic cycle of pain.As a result of the strains and the body’s response to them as well as the inevitable muscular compensation which had taken place after the fracture, Thorn also had: • Myofascial Pain. Fascia is a densely woven connective tissue which is continuous throughout the body. It surrounds and connects yet separates every organ, bone, nerve, blood vessel, muscle, tendon and ligament. Containing the largest concentration of sensory nerves in the body, it ‘feels’ pain. Dysfunctional fascia is rigid, painful and bound: it is a major factor in muscle splinting.• Trigger Points, commonly referred to as ‘knots, a highly sensitive, painful nodule found within a taught band of muscle bres.Myofascial and muscular issues like these, which are typically painful (sometimes debilitating) do not show on standard x-rays or scans.Given how big a step it was for Thorn to allow someone to touch her, during the rst session I initially used some very gentle yet eective techniques. If you touch a dog in pain the right way and with the right intentions, they instinctively know you are trying to help them and this was key to keep building that trust. We said our goodbyes and booked a second session. If anyone had told me at that point what would happen the next time, I would have really struggled to believe them. Alison says it better than I could have:“The following session a week later was incredible. Thorn marched in and lay down on the mat and demanded Suzanne give her a massage.”I will never, ever forget that moment. During the session I used techniques from the four disciplines of massage: Swedish, deep tissue, sports and myofascial release in order to prepare Thorn’s muscles and fascia. Then I was able to apply ‘The 7 Protocols’: direct myofascial release techniques, part of The Lenton Method™, which are unique to Canine Massage Guild members. At times the session involved some momentary discomfort, something I myself have also experienced. Indeed, this forms a crucial part of our training: we must be able to empathise with the dogs we treat. This was absolutely necessary to break the chronic cycle of pain and Thorn just lapped it up. The relief was clear to see when re-assessing her range of motion at the end of the session. 19 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24
20Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 2420 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24For more information on Clinical Canine Massage therapy or to nd your local therapist please visit www.k9-massageguild.co.uk Alison says:“Again, a great amount of work was done and Thorn was obviously beneting enormously from it. I was noticing an increase in Thorn’s condence with people, dogs and life. The car was not the issue it had been.”Guild therapists work best practice which means we will see your dog a maximum of three times initially, at which point we would expect you to see visible results. During the three sessions, tissue starts to ‘let-down’ and sometimes we nd issues that were ‘hidden’ at the start. Should there be no improvement after three sessions, we would always refer you back to your vet for further investigation. In Thorn’s case:“By the end of the third session Thorn was sound and full of beans - like a young t Labrador should be. Importantly her condence had returned and she once more became receptive to training and enjoyment of life.”I’m very happy that I have seen Thorn again since. Seeing the immense benets Alison has been keen for Thorn (and her other dogs) to have maintenance or ‘MOT’ sessions. For young, t, active dogs doing this twice a year or so is a great way to ensure any minor ‘niggles’ are addressed before they progress to something more serious; which would likely result in pain.“Seven weeks later I took her back for an assessment. It would be hard to believe that Thorn was the same dog that walked in ten weeks before. Sound, getting t, over condent, good with people and other dogs and above all happy in her skin once again. Thank you, Suzanne.”As owners we always want to keep our dogs free from pain, however, they are masters of disguise. Despite many years of domestication, that instinct to hide anything that would make them appear a weaker target remains ingrained. Thankfully, the Canine Massage Guild has produced an amazing guide called the ‘Five Principles of Pain’. Check out the link to see if any of these apply to your dog?https://www.k9-massageguild.co.uk/the-5-principles-of-pain/As always, your rst point of call must always be your Veterinarian. All Guild therapists acknowledge and respect the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and Exemptions Order 2015 by never working upon an animal without gaining prior Veterinary consent. We also oer free muscular health checks and you’ll often see us at dog shows and events doing just that. Indeed, you may have seen us (twice) on TV at Crufts? With by far the largest network of Professional Canine Massage therapists throughout the UK, there is bound to be one near you!https://www.k9-massageguild.co.uk/therapistregister/Further Reading:https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/health/pains-eect-on-behavior/Thorn is a beautiful Gun Dog!!CANINE MASSAGE
21 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 2421 Coat changes / icking up / dry in areal l lKyphosis (roaching) / Lordosis (swayback)l l lTwitching, or ‘shivery’ skinl l lInexplicable tremorsl l lTail carriage e.g., swimmers taill l lNeck / back / shoulder issuesl l lUneven nail wearl l lHip or stie rotation (dog stands / sits with knee pointing out)l l lDown on the wristl l lReluctance to be petted /groomed / examinedl l lDisinterested in life /isolating themselves /depressed l l lSelf mutilation e.g., nibbling their hind areal l lLick granuloma, e.g., excessive licking of wristl l lSnapping when touched or towel driedl l lSnapping at other dogs as a pre-warning for them to stay awayl l lAnxietyl l lFrequent rolling on backl l lLame / limping /carrying a leg or pawl l lReduced range of movementl l lStiff when movingl l lSlowing down on walks l l lAbduction or adduction (throwing a leg)l l lSingle trackingl l lPacing l l lHopping/skippingl l lLack of reach or drivel l lCrabbing l l lStruggling to get up on or down from sofa, stairs, carl l lNot settling, pacing at night timel l lWeakness in back legsl l lGeneral signs of ageingl l lStruggling / slowing down on walksl l lDifculty rising from lying downl l lSlipping / unbalanced on ooringl l lLying down to eatl l l Agility dogs – pole knocking, weave and /or contact issues, lack of drive, measuring,l l lGun dogs – early onset fatigue, retrieval issuesl l lCanicross – early onset fatigue, reluctance to wear harness, not pullingl l lObedience - change in work positions e.g., down stay / sendaway l l lFlyball -Turning wide on box, missing/avoiding jumps l l lAll disciplines: any deviation from natural performance l l lIf you have noticed, or have concerns about, your dog’s mobility and /or behaviour, you can easily classify your observations with the 5 Principles of Pain, a useful aid for identifying symptoms of musculoskeletal conditions that could be helped by clinical canine massage. The signs of muscular pain listed can be mistaken by some owners as simply signs of ageing or ‘just something they do’. The reality is, however, that muscular pain can be caused by anything from normal activities of daily living to chronic, arthritic conditions. Just tick the severity of each of the conditions that apply to your dog and turn over. l Sometimesl Oftenl AlwaysWhat’s your dog trying to tell you?A guide to help you assess your dog for the viability of clinical canine massage therapyDiseased joints rely on the extra muscular support which, in itself, is likely to mean increased secondary pain. For truly effective management of chronic pain, all areas of associated muscular dysfunction must be addressed.Please tick the relevant boxes... Osteoarthritis Hip dysplasia Cruciate ligament Elbow dysplasia Spondylosis Luxating patella OCD Previous break / fracture Other My dog is pre-surgery My dog is post-surgerywww.k9-massageguild.co.uk
22Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24CASE STUDY A 12 Year old Border terrier who became lame whist out running. The dog had been to the vets, who had diagnosed a CCL rupture following X-rays and a positive cranial draw test. The x-rays showed that there was evidence of osteoarthritis (OA) in both sties which is common according to Fitzpatrick referrals and is often thought to lead to the degeneration of the CCL. Vet permission was requested under the veterinary surgeons act and consent was given for the dog to attend physiotherapy.The vet had recommended surgery but the owners were not keen to put their dog through the surgery at his age. Apart for the CCL rupture and OA the dog was relatively healthy although a little deaf and overweight. Conservative management of canine cranial cruciate ligament injuryusing INDIBA small animal deviceby Polly Hutson MSc, BSc(hons) physiotherapy ACPAT A and RAMPCASE STUDYHe had been prescribed Loxicom by the vets and was on no other medication. The owner’s goal was for the dog to be able to enjoy his walks again.The dog was rst seen three weeks post injury. He was 4/5 lame left hind in walk and trot. There was reduced weight bearing in standing. He demonstrated some discomfort on assessment of end of range exion and extension of the left stie, there was a positive draw test. There was no evidence of an eusion. Thigh circumference was 23.5cm on the left and 26cm on the right. Incidentally there was reduced right hip extension. I discussed the pros and cons of surgery with the owner but they were adamant about trying the conservative route rst. The dog THERE are a wide variety of electrophysical agents used by animal physiotherapists to manage injuries and pain. This case study uses INIDIBA radiofrequency to conservatively manage a canine cruciate ligament (CCL) injury. INDIBA delivers an eective, comfortable and safe treatment to animals. It works at a xed electromagnetic radio frequency of 448 kHz, the optimum frequency based on published research. It’s applied to the animal via an active electrode in a closed circuit with a xed ‘return’ electrode. The power of the device can be changed to alter the strength of eect dependent on what is being treated. Unlike laser or ultrasound there is no loss to surrounding tissues and the exact frequency of 448 KHz is delivered to the target structure.CCL injuries are common in the dog and present with lameness and limping. They can be managed both surgically and non-surgically. According to Fitzpatrick referrals the non-surgical management is seldom recommended. The main aim of surgery is to minimise long term exercise restriction and medication. The main stay of non-surgical management is physiotherapy, exercise modication and medication. This case study demonstrates a successful conservative management of a CCL. Other than the main stay of CCL non -surgical management the dog was treated using the small animal INDIBA radiofrequency unit.
23 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24REFERENCES Cruciate Ligament Disease or Injury - Fitzpatrick ReferralsDerooster H, Debruin T, Bree H. Morphologic and functional features of the canine cruciate ligaments. Veterinary Surgery. 2006; 35(8):769-80Harasen G. Canine cranial cruciate ligament rupture in prole: 2002-2007. Canine Veterinary Journal. 2008; 49(12):193-194Monk M, Preston C A. McGowan Eects of early intensive postoperative physiotherapy on limb function after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs with deciency of the cranial cruciate ligament (2006) AJVR, Vol 67, No. 3According to Monk et al (2006) this is a common nding post CCL injury. The dog was treated with INDIBA sub acute post CCL this meant an increase in CAP to the stie and RES - mild heat to surrounding muscles. The home exercise programme was progressed to include square stands using yellow theraband and three leg stands. The control lead walks were increased to 15 minutes twice a day. The fourth session was 12 days later and the dog was continuing to improve and was due to start hydrotherapy. The INDIBA sub acute setting was delivered again. The home exercise programme was progressed to include hills and poles. The dog had a further two sessions of INDIBA with a higher CAP and RES delivered. By which point the dog had a 1/5 lameness score. The owners were advised to increase the walking exercise slowly and once the dog was up to a good 45 minutes on lead then o lead could be started but only for short periods of time. The dog had a total of 12 under water treadmill sessions. I saw the owners a couple of months later and was informed that the dog was doing really well and had been on a two hour walk…. Half of me was in despair that they had taken the dog for such a long walk but the other half of me felt that this had been a success. I did stress that they shouldn’t be going for that long. was put on a diet. The home exercise programme consisted of square stands for 10 seconds X 3 X 3 per day. The dog was to be restricted to two short 5 minute lead walks daily. The dog’s symptoms/pain were managed using the AH100 INIDBA. The protocol for CCL rupture was followed. In the acute phase sub-thermal Capacitive (CAP) was delivered to the knee and mild heat applied via the resistive (RES) to the supporting muscles (quadriceps, hamstrings and gastrocnemius).After the rst treatment the owner reported that the dog seemed far more comfortable. On the second assessment (1 week after the rst treatment) the dogs was able to maintain a longer 3 leg stand and was 3/5 lame in walk and trot.Interestingly the contralateral hip ROM had improved and I suspect this was due to the position of the plate under the right hip with the INDIBA current being delivered through the dog. The dog received a second treatment with INDIBA still on the acute setting. The lead walks could be increased to two 10 minute lead walks daily. The third treatment was a week later. The dog continued to improve, he had a lameness score of 2/5. There was increased weight bearing on 3 leg stand. The thigh circumference was not improving and had reduced to 20cm.
24Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24
25 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24Want to learn more? Go to animalosteopathyinternational.comJoint disease and pathology can be common in dogs of all ages. Specificconditions may be more prevalent in certain breeds, but most any breed cansuffer from joint disease of one form or another. The challenge for thetherapeutic practitioner, is dissociating between a condition that is suitable fortreatment and that which needs to be referred to a veterinarian with immediateeffect. Below is a outline that might help you make that judgement, so that yourpatients acquire the best care possible, as quickly as possible. Please rememberthat in the UK, treatment of any animal with a history of injury or dis-ease, mustbe undertaken after the practitioner has attained consent to treat, by theanimal’s veterinarian.What is the mechanism of injury? Is it mild, moderate or severe?Are there are signs of broken skin or has surgery of any kind taken place inthe last few weeks? Has the owner reported that the animal has been in a fight or been bitten byanother animal? Is there any sign of systemic ill-health? Such as swelling, signs of pain,lethargy, heat around the joint/s, loss of appetite, etc.? Is one or more joint affected, and does it appear to be affecting the neckand/or spine? Had the dog been otherwise well before this episode or has there been anyunderlying ill-health?Is the dog over-weight and/or a giant breed?Is the dog lame and if so, does the lameness remain consistently in one limb? On examination, does the dog have enlarged lymph glands and is there anylimitation during passive joint assessment? Is there any palpable swelling, masses or signs of joint enlargement? Joint disease in dogs can be wide and varied, but there are some specifics thatwe can look out for to help us ascertain whether an immediate referral isrequired. This list if not exhaustive, but acts as a check list of keyconsiderations:.1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.The key to remember, is that if there is any underlying systemic pathology,time maybe of the essence. Leaving a dog untreated, can endanger his life, so ifyou have ANY doubts, refer to the vet immediately! Failing to do so is negligent. Canine Joint AssessmentWhen to refer to the animal's veterinarian
26Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24THE use of canine hydrotherapy has risen in recent years, particularly in the rehabilitation of post-surgical neurological and orthopaedic diseases, in addition to the maintenance of chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis. In human studies, hydrotherapy has been found to increase the range of motion of joints and decrease pain and muscle soreness following exercise (Eversden et al., 2007; Skurvydas et Canine HydrotherapyGovernance and delivery of qualications in the UK – challenges and future directionsby Alice Sear, Level Three Small Animal Hydrotherapist and nal year BSc (Hons) Bioveterinary Science Student and Dr Alison Wills, Senior Lecturer Department of Animal and Agriculture, Hartpury University, Gloucestershire GL19 3BEHARTPURY COLLEGEal., 2008; Wouters et al., 2010). Despite this rise in popularity, variations between hydrotherapy organisations and qualications do exist, and miscommunication between members of the multidisciplinary team may occur due to these small dierences. In this article, solutions are suggested to enable the continued promotion of canine hydrotherapy as an eective and evidence-based therapeutic modality.
27 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24Photos by Helen at Motion Pet RehabCurrent Legislation Many practising hydrotherapists in the United Kingdom hold at least a Level Three Certicate in Small Animal Hydrotherapy, which is overseen by two main exam boards; ABC & Certa Awards and the Open College Network London Region (OCNLR) organisation. Despite this, there is no explicit legislation that governs the use of hydrotherapy for dogs (Winter, 2016). Since it is not a protected title, anyone has the right to call themselves a “hydrotherapist” even without basic training (Prankel, 2008; Wild, 2017; Winter, 2016). In a survey that provided an overview of the United Kingdom hydrotherapy industry, all respondents reported that they required a clinical examination and veterinary referral to have taken place before allowing patients to undertake treatment (Waining et al., 2011). The use of a referral is a legal requirement, and ultimately the responsibility of the veterinary surgeon to ensure that patients are referred to accredited therapy centres, especially in rehabilitation cases (The Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order, 2015). Despite this, veterinary approval should also be sought to identify any underlying health concerns before beginning any form of hydrotherapy, including “fun and tness” sessions (Prankel, 2008). Governance of Canine Hydrotherapy Governing bodies including the National Association of Registered Canine Hydrotherapists (NARCH), Canine Hydrotherapy Association (CHA) and Institute of Registered Veterinary & Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAP) oversee best practice in small animal hydrotherapy, and ensure their members hold the necessary qualications and have the appropriate facilities to carry out treatment safely (CHA, 2020; IRVAP, 2019; NARCH, 2020). However, the use of dierent associations to oversee one primary therapy may lead to varying interpretations of best practice. Authors such as Rew et al., (2009) have suggested that canine hydrotherapists may have a reduced ability to detect pain compared to other veterinary professionals. This may be due to the lack of a singular governing organisation leading to reduced condence in newly qualied therapists. If problems do occur, it is at the individual organisations discretion to appropriately deal with any issues which may arise. For example, if a breach in the code of conduct is found, membership may be terminated, preventing that centre from advertising its aliation with a specic hydrotherapy association. However, centres which do lose their membership would be eligible to continue practising in an unregulated manner under current legislation. The Level Three Qualication Hydrotherapy governing bodies require proof that those wishing to advertise themselves as qualied hydrotherapists aliated with these associations hold at least a Level Three certicate, which is the equivalent to the nal year of college, or foundation year at university. However, association with a hydrotherapy organisation is not a legal requirement and newly qualied hydrotherapists are eligible to enter full-time practice or set up their own centres without support from hydrotherapy bodies. The OCNLR Level Three certicate is regulated by the exam board Oce of Qualications and Examinations Regulation and outlines that it is suitable for adults who wish to work in canine hydrotherapy, however, a prerequisite for relevant experience is not detailed. Centres wishing to deliver this qualication must be able to provide at least 20 hours of practical treatment in the hydrotherapy pool and treadmill (OCN London, 2018). In addition, the ABC & Certa Awards Level Three qualication, which is supported by IRVAP states that prior experience working with canines is essential and aims to build on existing skills. Furthermore, the number of guided learning hours for the module practical application of hydrotherapy is recommended as 35 hours (Skills and Education Group Awards, 2020a). Prankel et al., (2008) also found discrepancies between entry requirements and the amount of practical handling provided in hydrotherapy courses available at the time. Inconsistencies in Level Three certicates could result in variation in a hydrotherapists basic training and may go on to aect how treatments are delivered in practice. Considerations for the Level Three Qualication Research shows that newly qualied veterinary surgeons often struggle with condence when undertaking practical skills unsupervised, despite spending ve years as an undergraduate to prepare for their veterinary careers (Duijn et al., 2020; Lofstedt, 2003). These concerns may be transferable to other newly qualied veterinary professionals including hydrotherapists. Not having the chance to hone practical skills, particularly handling may lead to a lack of condence and expertise in newly qualied hydrotherapists. In addition, veterinary physiotherapists spend a maximum of four years training for an undergraduate degree, or seven years through the undergraduate human physiotherapy route followed by a postgraduate specialisation in veterinary physiotherapy (Prankel, 2008). Both degrees involve rigorous practical training, which includes exposure to hydrotherapy and compulsory continued professional development (CPD) after physiotherapists graduate. Unlike physiotherapy, hydrotherapy does not involve manipulation of joint structures, however, this does not mean that the risk of injury is eliminated. Poor application or the use of inappropriate techniques during a hydrotherapy session may occur as a result of inexperience and cause discomfort to the patient. continued overleaf
28Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24Slight variations in therapeutic approach are expected later on in a hydrotherapists career through knowledge gained from additional training and CPD. However, in a study investigating condence levels in knowledge, diagnosis, treatment and aesthesia in exotics, veterinary surgeons who had been qualied for 20 years or longer were found to have the same level of knowledge and condence as newly qualied veterinary surgeons (Wills & Holt, 2020). Hydrotherapists who qualied several years ago may feel the same if they were asked to state their condence levels when handling particularly challenging patients and the practical application of emerging techniques, despite undertaking frequent and relevant CPD. It was suggested that the ndings in the Wills & Holt (2020) study may be due to advances in knowledge since the time of qualication, in addition to a lack of exposure and practice in certain areas of veterinary medicine. This is particularly applicable to post-surgical rehabilitation in dogs, a eld that has continued to evolve rapidly over recent years. Continued Professional Development (CPD) CPD ensures sucient levels of competence are maintained and enforced by professional governing bodies, although the exact number of hours may vary between organisations. A survey conducted among veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom found that the main barrier which prevented CPD from being carried out included the costs associated with additional learning (Dale et al., 2013). Although these obstacles have not been investigated in therapists, this issue may be transferable to other paraprofessionals particularly in newer businesses. In addition, practical CPD for hydrotherapy is often scarce and practitioners may need to travel and take time o work to full CPD requirements, which may not be feasible for all. This has led to a signicant number of courses being transferred online to ensure some level of learning is maintained throughout this pandemic. Online learning has its applications however it does not replace the experience gained from undertaking a workshop, or the practical application of content covered as part of an online lecture. Studies have shown that experiential learning is positively associated with increased condence in nal year veterinary students when communicating with owners, indicating that practical application is valuable and necessary in the veterinary eld (Barron et al., 2017). Solutions to the current multi-organisation approach The Levels Four and Five small animal hydrotherapy programmes aim to be more comprehensive and are geared towards hydrotherapists who already hold a Level Three qualication or equivalent award (ABC Awards, 2015; Skills and Education Group Awards, 2020b). Level Four and Five qualications equate to rst and second year of university-level learning. Based on this, it may be benecial to develop a qualication which is recognised more widely at a national government level, since the additional costs associated with Level Four and Five awards may deter existing hydrotherapists from undertaking them. Prior experience in canine handling could be made a requirement of the course, as is the case for other veterinary degree programmes, and may provide the funding individuals need to advance in their hydrotherapy careers, giving everyone an equal opportunity to progress in their eld of interest. CanineHartpury UniversityHartpury, Gloucesterwww.hartpury.ac.ukHartpury is a specialist educational provider located in Gloucestershire with more than 3,600 college and university level students studying postgraduate and undergraduate degrees, A-levels and diplomas in the areas of sport, equine, animal, agriculture and veterinary nursing.Well established organisations such as the British Veterinary Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Association are urging that rehabilitation should be only performed by individuals with extensive knowledge of tissue healing times, such as veterinary surgeons (Davies & Warnock, 2021). This may be to ensure that professionals conducting therapy can provide a thorough assessment of the patient before rehabilitation to establish which techniques are appropriate to apply based on the stage of a patient’s recovery, particularly in post-surgical cases, to prevent further injury. A nationally recognised hydrotherapy degree may facilitate more eective communication and condence in a patient’s treatment including the level of tissue healing between all members of the multidisciplinary team, ultimately reducing the concern currently expressed by more experienced paraprofessionals including veterinary surgeons. HARTPURY COLLEGEPhotos by Helen at Motion Pet RehabConclusion Currently, three hydrotherapy bodies are responsible for the maintenance of standards for registered hydrotherapists in the industry, however, formally associating with these organisations is not a legal requirement. Establishing a legislative act that includes alternative therapies such as this will ensure more stringent regulation of centres to protect the health and welfare of all patients. Furthermore, overarching governance provided by a singular organisation and the formation of a nationally recognised hydrotherapy qualication may ensure a more consistent therapeutic service is provided throughout the United Kingdom and promote eective collaboration between all members of the multidisciplinary team.
29 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24REFERENCES ABC Awards. (2015). Level 5 Diploma in Hydrotherapy for Small Animals. https://skillsandeducationgroupawards.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Qualications/2099-TOP-1__Qualication Guide.pdf Barron, D., Khosa, D., & Jones-Bitton, A. (2017). Experiential Learning in Primary Care: Impact on Veterinary Students’ Communication Condence. Jornal of Experimental Education, 40(4), 349–365. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053825917710038CHA. (2020). Canine Hydrotherapy Association. https://www.canine-hydrotherapy.orgDale, V. H. M., Pierce, S. E., & May, S. A. (2013). Motivating factors and perceived barriers to participating in continuing professional development: A national survey of veterinary surgeons. Veterinary Record, 173(10), 247. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.101492Davies, L., & Warnock, R. (2021). British Veterinary Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Association. BVRSMA: Mission Statement. https://www.bvrsma.org.ukDuijn, C., Bok, H., Ten Cate, O., & Kremer, W. (2020). Qualied but not yet fully competent: Perceptions of recent veterinary graduates on their day-one skills. Veterinary Record, 186(7), 216. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105329Eversden, L., Maggs, F., Nightingale, P., & Jobanputra, P. (2007). A pragmatic randomised controlled trial of hydrotherapy and land exercises on overall well being and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 8(23). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-8-23IRVAP. (2019). The Institute of Registered Veterinary & Animal Physiotherapists UK. https://www.irvap.org.ukLofstedt, J. (2003). Condence and competence of recent veterinary graduates- is there a problem? The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 44(5), 359–360.NARCH. (2020). National Association of Registered Canine Hydrotherapists. http://narch.org.uk/Home/IndexOCN London. (2018). Qualication Guide: Level 3 Certicate in Canine Hydrotherapy. https://www.ocnlondon.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/OCN London Qualication Guide/Unit Guides/L3 Cert in Canine Hydrotherapy.pdfPrankel, S. (2008). Hydrotherapy in practice. In Practice, 30(5), 272–277. https://doi.org/10.1136/inpract.30.5.272Rew, K., Davies, L., & Sharples, R. (2009). Don’t drown the dog: practical and safe approaches to rehabilitation. Veterinary Times.Skills and Education Group Awards. (2020a). SEG Awards ABC Level 3 Certicate in Canine Hydrotherapy. https://www.ocnlondon.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/OCN London Qualication Guide/Unit Guides/L3 Cert in Canine Hydrotherapy.pdf Skills and Education Group Awards. (2020b). SEG Awards ABC Level 4 Diploma in Canine Hydrotherapy. https://skillsandeducationgroupawards.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Qualications/2113-TOP-3__Qualication Guide.pdf Skurvydas, A., Kamandulis, S., Stanislovaitis, A., Streckis, V., Mamkus, G., & Drazdauskas, A. (2008). Leg immersion in warm water, stretch-shortening exercise, and exercise-induced muscle damage. Journal of Athletic Training, 43(6), 592–599. https://doi.org/10.4085/1062-6050-43.6.592The Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order. (2015). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/772Waining, M., Young, I. S., & Williams, S. B. (2011). Evaluation of the status of canine hydrotherapy in the UK. Veterinary Record, 168(407). https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.c6842Wild, S. (2017). Canine cranial cruciate ligament damage and the use of hydrotherapy as a rehabilitation tool. Veterinary Nursing Journal, 32(8), 228–234. https://doi.org/10.1080/17415349.2017.1322476Wills, A., & Holt, S. (2020). Condence of veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom in treating and diagnosing exotic pet species. Veterinary Record, 186(18), E20. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105664Winter, R. (2016). Hydrotherapy and physiotherapy: what the RVN should know. Veterinary Nursing Journal, 31(10), 312–315. https://doi.org/10.1080/17415349.2016.1211972Wouters, E. J. M., Van Nunen, A. M. A., Geenen, R., Kolotkin, R. L., & Vingerhoets, A. J. J. M. (2010). Eects of aquajogging in obese adults: A pilot study. Journal of Obesity, 2010. https://doi.org/10.1155/2010/231074
30Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24TONY NEVINHelping injured Hedgehogsby Tony Nevin, BSc (Hons) Ost, DO, Zoo Ost LtdHEDGEHOGS have been in the headlines recently. In the last 50 years numbers in the wild have plummeted to a fraction of their original numbers. Many suer injuries due to encountering man-made problems. Many of these problems can be found in our gardens, such as plastic waste. The fact that we are sealing our gardens o more and more from ground to two metre high fencing which allows no access for hedgehogs or in certain cases allows them to get trapped when they’ve tried to squeeze through such structures. Other problems result from the use of garden strimmers and mechanical devices which we use to keep our gardens tidy.Another set of hazards they face are food related. Hedgehogs are great pest removers from gardens. Think of any invertebrates and molluscs you don’t like, and chances are hedgehogs love them. They are tough but really do not cope with slugs and snails laced with poison. Also they are extremely lactose intolerant, so avoid putting out any saucers of milk, or bread and milk. Cat food is ok, or you can even buy special hedgehog food now, formulated to provide what a healthy hog needs. Best still is to allow rough borders for them with cover, and let them clean up the bugs and slugs for you. You’ll know when one is about. They are noisy feeders, and leave distinctive poo as their calling card. Unlike fox or badger it dosen’t smell as much!Some of the bigger problems that hedgehogs face are the result of road trac incidents where hedgehogs crossing roads freeze when a vehicle comes along and at best get injured, and at worst killed. If this is during the breeding season then young hogs or hoglets will very often be found out in daytime once they’ve become too protection when they feel threatened. Instead of fur a lot of the same follicles have morphed into spines, which make palpation and treatment more of a challenge for the osteopath. Their ability to curl up is further enhanced by a specic muscle which acts like a purse string that pulls tight with their legs tucked in and interlocked inside this protective cu. When threatened they contract the panniculus muscle which pulls the loose skin tight and erects the spines. This muscle thickens at it’s ventral rim where it forms the orbicularis muscle – the purse-string.Many of the injuries we see that have involved garden strimmers leave scar tissue that restricts the ability of the hedgehog to curl up properly. With the use of localised soft tissue work and combining Class 4 laser photo bio-modulation it is possible to greatly improve the elastic properties of the underlying tissues. A bonus to this is that improved soft tissue elasticity also helps with the erectile function of the spines further adding to the likelihood that an individual will be able to be released back into the wild.hungry waiting for their parents. These are often seen in gardens or along roadsides where hunger has driven them to go in search of their dead parents. Within the UK alone there are several wildlife hospitals and rescue centres, some of which only cater for injured and orphaned hedgehogs.One such hospital is Vale Wildlife Hospital which is situated just outside Tewksbury in Gloucestershire, on the borders with Worcestershire. On average they will have anywhere up to 300 hedgehog casualties and orphans in their care at anyone time. Any of these with musculoskeletal (MSK) problems get osteopathic treatment as part of their recovery and rehabilitation package. Everyone at the wildlife hospital has a part to play in the recovery, care and rehabilitation of these patients.Osteopathy has been successfully used to treat many of these casualties over the last 25 years and techniques have been developed that allow meaningful treatments to be applied to these unusual creatures as hedgehogs have some specic physical adaptations, not least their ability to curl up and lock themselves tightly in a ball as a form of 30 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24
31 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24Any injured baby hoglets when extremely young are easy to handle without gloves or the need to use anaesthesia as the spines are much softer when rst born (making birthing less life threatening!). Older individuals and adults sometimes refuse to relax during treatment, and depending on where the osteopath needs to access, some individuals will also bite. Hedgehogs have teeth very similar to a very small dog and can inict a nasty nip if they want to. For both the welfare of the hedgehog and the longevity of the osteopath it is not uncommon for these individuals to be anaesthetised using iso-uorine and oxygen which allows the osteopath to handle and manipulate them without the need for gloves and really helps when trying to unwind fascial tension. The way we treat the fascia is dierent to the approach often used by other MSK practitioners in that we aim to gently release patterns of tension throughout the entire body of each patient by following the fascial lines and layers. The technique does not involve any painful deep tissue massage and so far has avoided producing any unwanted side eects to treatment.Most treatments last no more than 10 minutes from start to nish and great care is taken not to get the hedgehogs used to being handled more than is necessary. This is to reduce imprinting from youngsters on humans and to ensure that they do not lose that fear of potential predators.Some of the most serious injuries we see where a hedgehog has suered an open fracture, and not being found for a while do require surgical intervention and the veterinary team at the hospital perform any orthopaedic and soft tissue surgery as required. Very occasionally hedgehogs will receive an amputation to a hind limb. This is only done in extreme situations due to some research suggesting that these individuals nd it harder to scratch o ticks behind their ear and neck on the ipsilateral side that the limb Tony Nevin, BSc (Hons) Ost, DO is Clinical Director on the MSc Animal Osteopathy programme, run through the McTimoney College of Chiropractic, Oxon. For more information contact Tony at +44 7831 759339. www.zooost.com www.horseost.co.uk www.coriniumradio.co.uk www.mixcloud.com/tonynevinhas been removed from. Individuals with severe injuries to front limbs are usually euthanized due to their need to use these front legs to lock around the hind legs when they curl up and also for digging and foraging for food, as well as the increased load bearing that the front limbs take during normal standing and locomotive function. The hospital operates with a view to returning casualties to the wild, it does not function as a sanctuary or a zoo. Therefore, any casualties that cannot be returned to the wild are euthanized.Apart from straight forward hands on treatment, osteopathy has played it’s part in the rehabilitation phase of these casualties. Not only have we devised assault courses and enclosure gymnasiums aided by scatter feeding to encourage rehabilitating hedgehogs to climb and negotiate these obstacles, but we have also managed to replicate the sorts of conditions they are going to nd once back in the wild. Some individuals rehabilitate easily, whilst others take a lot of hard work which can sometimes include encouraging them to swim in shallow water to get them to use all four of their limbs.In the last two years I have treated numerous cases some of which I have featured on my YouTube channel Zoo Ost. Below are links to some of the case studies with running commentary to each one covering the signalment, history we could get, treatment and outcomes.REFERENCESNevin A, Colles C, Tozzi P (2020) Animal Osteopathy – A comprehensive guide to the osteopathic treatment of animals and birds, pp371, 392, 395-398. Handspring Publishing, UK.(140) Hedgehog Osteopathy - Hind Leg Injury - YouTube(140) Hedgehog Osteopathy - Lameness treatment case study - YouTube31 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24Next time you see a hedgehog in your garden, or whilst out for an evening stroll marvel at their incredible ingenuity.
32Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24Client EducationCan Online Resources Oer a Solution?By Robyn J. Lowe, RVN, and Harmony J. Coriddi, LVT, CMTCLIENT EDUCATION is a necessary and vital part of the therapist’s job day in and day out. Without a well-educated client who has at least a basic understanding of the condition(s) being treated and evidence-based management, the therapist will likely have a signicantly more dicult job. Client compliance will be poorer simply because owners will not understand why the therapist has made recommendations for lifestyle adaptations, specic exercises, etc., and as a result the achievable outcome may have a lower optimal rate of success. Online resources also can have a massive impact on client understanding and beliefs regarding treatments; unfortunately, due to the huge amount of misinformation available online, this inuence can potentially be extremely detrimental. As the younger generations, who are incredibly web-savvy, are becoming the fastest growing group of pet owners, does the way forward for client education lie in vets and therapists utilising trustworthy, evidence-based online resources?Canine osteoarthritis (OA) is an excellent candidate disease to review as a regular feature in both rst opinion practice and integrative therapists’ caseloads, having been relabelled a welfare concern by Vet Compass due to its aecting dogs long-term with signicant impingement on their quality of life. It is well reported that gold standard holistic treatment plans are often blocked by owner understanding, practicality, nances, and lack of time.OA benets a multimodal approach to achieve optimal management. OSTEOARTHRITISThere is no cure for OA, it’s degenerative, and prevalence is as high as 35% of the canine population, with more than 80% of dogs over 8 years old suering from it. We also know that signicantly fewer than this statistic are on treatment for OA, leaving a large number of UK dogs potentially experiencing chronic pain with interventions. Commonly identied too late, multiple concurrent interventions are required to maintain a good quality of life in these cases.Following diagnosis of OA and the prescription of necessary medical interventions such as NSAIDS, the OA management momentum may plummet. The respected game changers like weight management and exercise advice are not even in the running compared to a 77.9% prescription of analgesics (most commonly an NSAID). This is in stark contrast to the NICE guidelines regarding the human arthritis model. More attention is paid to physical interventions, with less emphasis on analgesics and little discussion of supplements and nutraceuticals. Notably, recent studies have led researchers to believe that the neurophysiology of dogs and humans is linked and analogous. As such, it could be argued that these respected human focus guidelines could ultimately help guide veterinary protocols and interventions.
33 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24NICE guidelines recommend rst and foremost for OA a “holistic approach and self management,” followed by “core treatments: information, exercise and weight loss.” It would be naive and in opposition to welfare needs to follow these to the letter with regard to veterinary cases. With recognition of chronic pain in dogs often being late on in the disease process, medications are certainly necessary to help with issues like central sensitisation. However, we can recognise the importance of a lifestyle approach to management and include it in our client education strategy. But advice takes time and is fraught with concerns of misinterpretation. With 35% of all dogs suering from OA, these time-consuming and potentially treacherous (especially regarding weight management advice) discussions may also become repetitive and, if not taken onboard by the owner, frustrating.Clients frequently forget 40-80% of the - often repetitively reviewed - information discussed in a normal vet or therapy consultation. Redirecting them to an engaging education platform which compliments the advice and protocols of the centre oers many advantages. In fact, a common methodology used by human practitioners is referral to recognised online organisations such as Versus Arthritis. These independent bodies add creativity and marketing into evidence-based advice to increase engagement and uptake, without which any hope of an optimal management plan is defeated.Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) aims to illustrate that symbiotic online partners are not a threat to centre turnover and client relationships. In fact, they may even lead to better client understanding and compliance, encouraging repeated consultations and a better rapport with clinics. Through CAM’s online presence, the veterinary-led organisation has studied owner engagement and learned how to ensure followers take home more than the meagre 20-60% of consult content seen from face-to-face, time-limited interactions. Using infographics, video interviews, blogs, campaigns, and owner-to-owner education, they have worked hard to lead the veterinary care profession into a mutually benecial online relationship. Now they have taken this commitment one step further with the launch of two online courses, written for owners, which condense all of the information needed into an easily accessible, engaging resource designed to maximise information retention. Knowing that the vast majority of owners seek additional advice from online sources, it makes sense for vets and therapists to direct them to unbiased, safe resources like CAM’s online courses. Not only do the courses provide a thorough discussion of multimodal OA management, they also tackle important educational topics such as caregiver placebo, conrmation bias, and regression to the mean, allowing us to collectively work to guide owners towards evidence-based interventions and lead them away from money-draining, faux-science purchases and subscriptions.Implementing evidence-based, best practice OA management plans should be the ideal of every therapist. In turn, owners want nothing but the best for their pets but can easily fall foul of misleading information on the web despite therapists and vets’ best eorts at education in evidence-based approaches. Surely being able to educate clients without adding to your already overwhelming workload - and knowing that dicult conversations such as those regarding weight management will be tackled - is the perfect solution to a recognised problem.Consider how your daily practice could be transformed by using an online education resource such as CAM’s owner courses (check them out at cameducation.co.uk) for your clients. A simple recommendation to a trusted online resource can not only improve your metric of success in long-term management of a condition like OA, but can also better your clients’ peace of mind in knowing that they are truly doing the best they can for their dog by utilising an evidence-based multimodal approach. With rapidly growing reliance on technology and an ever louder cacophony of misinformation, perhaps now is the time to harness the power of trustworthy online education for good.continued overleaf
34Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24OSTEOARTHRITISWRITER BIOsRobyn Lowe, RVNI am a Registered Veterinary Nurse who qualied with a degree from Myerscough School of Veterinary Nursing in 2016 and have started my RCVS Diploma in Advanced Veterinary Nursing in 2018. I have worked on a volunteer basis with animals since I was four and my passion for this profession has only grown since then. I enjoy osteoarthritis clinics and using multi-modal approaches to managing the condition, it can be extremely rewarding seeing both owners and patients travel this extremely dicult journey together to improve quality of life.Harmony J. Coriddi, LV T, CMT, is a Licensed Veterinary Technician based in the USA who has worked as a canine bodywork practitioner for a number of years. Since graduating from Colby Community College with an Associate’s degree in Veterinary Nursing, she has been continuing her educational journey with the aim of specialising in osteoarthritis/chronic pain management and canine sports medicine. She is a member of the Canine Arthritis Management team, working as the CAM Education Coordinator and assisting in the growth of the CAM Education Centre.FOOD FOR THOUGHT!For further reading please visit www.caninearthritis.co.uk where there is a wealth of articles available.FURTHER READINGCAM (2020) ‘Canine Arthritis Management’ (Online). Available from: https://caninearthritis.co.uk/ and cameducation.co.uk.NICE (2020) ‘Arthritis’ (Online). Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/conditions-and-diseases/musculoskeletal-conditions/arthritis.Woodmansey, D. (2019) ‘Key similarities between OA in dogs and humans identied for rst time’ (Online). Available from: https://www.vettimes.co.uk/news/key-similarities-between-oa-in-dogs-and-humans-identied-for-rst-time/?utm_source=Vet+Times+Newsletters&utm_campaign=ed2b90104d-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fe3d844056-ed2b90104d-82596801.Meeson, R,. Todhunter, R,. Blunn, G,. Nuki, G & Pitsilldes, A. (2018) ‘Spontaneous dog osteoarthritis - a One Medicine vision’ (Online). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7097182/.Anderson, K,. D, O’Neill,. D, Brodbelt,. D, Church., R, Meeson., D, Sargan., J, Summers., H, Zulch, & Collins, L. (2018) ‘Prevalence, duration and risk factors for appendicular osteoarthritis in a UK dog population under primary veterinary care’ (Online). Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-23940-z.VetCompass (2019) ’New evidence for health-related welfare prioritisation of canine disorders’ (Online). Available from:https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass/news/new-evidence-for-health-related-welfare-prioritisation-of-canine-disorders.Muller C, Gines JA, Conzemius M, Meyers R, Lascelles BDX. (2018) ‘Evaluation of the eect of signalment and owner-reported impairment level on accelerometer-measured changes in activity in osteoarthritic dogs receiving a non-steroidal anti-inammatory.’ Vet J. 242, 48-52. Cachon, T. & Frykman, O. & Innes, John & Lascelles, B Duncan X & Okumura, M. & Sousa, P. & Staeri, Francesco & Steagall, Paulo & Ryssen, B.. (2018). ‘Face validity of a proposed tool for staging canine osteoarthritis: Canine OsteoArthritis Staging Tool (COAST).’ The Veterinary Journal. Kessels R. P. (2003). Patients’ memory for medical information. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 96(5), 219–222. https://doi.org/10.1258/jrsm.96.5.219.Versus Arthritis (2020) ‘Impossible to Ignore’ (Online). Available from: https://www.versusarthritis.org/.BVA (2014) ‘Survey hears the voice of the veterinary profession’. Veterinary Record, Vol. 175, Pp 183.Belshaw, Z., Asher, L. & Dean, R. (2016) ‘The attitudes of owners and veterinary professionals in the United Kingdom to the risk of adverse events associated with using non-steroidal anti-inammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat dogs with osteoarthritis’.Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Volume 131, Pp. 121-126.
35 Animal Therapy Magazine | ISSUE 24Non-ProtThe Institute of Registered Veterinary &Animal Physiotherapists IRVAP is a dynamiccommunity of qualied professionals workingin animal therapy. Our shared belief is everyanimal deserves the best available treatmentand their owners are supported and informed.Membership CategoriesMIRVAP(VP) - Veterinary PhysiotherapistsMIRVAP(MT) - Manual TherapistsMIRVAP(ICH) - Institute of Canine HydrotherapistsMIRVAP(IEH) - Institute of Equine Hydrotherapistswww.irvap.org.uk614_HR_IRVAP_HPH.indd 1 19/11/2020 14:35Non-ProtThe Institute of Registered Veterinary &Animal Physiotherapists IRVAP is a dynamiccommunity of qualied professionals workingin animal therapy. Our shared belief is everyanimal deserves the best available treatmentand their owners are supported and informed.Membership CategoriesMIRVAP(VP) - Veterinary PhysiotherapistsMIRVAP(MT) - Manual TherapistsMIRVAP(ICH) - Institute of Canine HydrotherapistsMIRVAP(IEH) - Institute of Equine Hydrotherapistswww.irvap.org.uk614_HR_IRVAP_HPH.indd 1 19/11/2020 14:35