Posts in Category: Pet Rehab & Therapy

If you’ve ever experienced a therapeutic massage, you know how good it can make you feel. Whether it’s for relaxation or for the overall healing effects, a therapeutic massage can do wonders for both the body and the mind.

What is Therapeutic Massage?

Often referred to as therapeutic touch, therapeutic massage utilizes a variety of techniques. From manipulating muscles and surrounding soft tissues to ease pain, soreness and stiffness. It also assists in healing. By applying various hand, finger, and forearm pressures on areas of the body, along with other actions such as kneading, tapping, circular motions and cupping, a therapist is able to ease muscle tightness, relieve stress and pain around joints, stimulate blood and lymphatic flow, and provide relaxation – all of which can improve ones’ mobility, health and sense of well-being.

History of Massage on Animals

Since therapeutic massage has many benefits for us humans, it makes sense that these same benefits could also help our pets. The good news is there is a body of research and many years of anecdotal accounts to support that it does.

Interestingly, the practice of massage on animals is not a modern concept. Historical evidence indicates that ancient cultures were aware of the benefits of massage. It was used to help the animals they relied upon for survival, including their domesticated dogs. The various forms of therapeutic massage seen today still utilize many of those early techniques.

More recently in the mid 1970’s, therapeutic massage gained popularity in equine circles after it was tried on an older horse to help it regain its mobility. The horse’s improvement was so dramatic that the use of massage became well-accepted at equestrian events and in professional horse racing. Today, therapeutic massage plays a predominant role in treating a variety of soft tissue injuries in horses and improving their athletic performance.

A Natural Alternative for Dogs

Canine massage therapy has been a common fixture at dog shows and dog sporting competitions at both state and national levels for many years.

With the growing interest in natural alternatives to prescription medications for managing chronic conditions such as arthritis and anxiety, as well as recovery from injury or illness, therapeutic massage provides a non-invasive option for any dog –athletic or not – to help them to live more comfortably.

The Many Benefits of Canine Massage

Therapeutic massage for our canine companions offers many unique benefits that can make a big difference in their quality of life. They include the following:

• Eases muscle tightness
• Increases range of motion
• Balances muscle tone
• Enhances mobility
• Helps recovery from illness
• Promotes healing after injury or surgery
• Reduces stress
• Strengthens the immune system
• Improves mental well-being
• Helps anxious dogs to relax
• Can produce quick results
• Useful for dogs that resist handling

Massage Process

Typically, a canine massage begins with the dog in a seated position. While closely monitoring how the dog is responding to being touched, the therapist may start by gently massaging small areas along the spine. Areas that feel tight will receive extra attention. As the massage progresses and the dog becomes more relaxed, it is not unusual for a dog to voluntarily lie down. With the dog lying on its side, the therapist may start working on the shoulder, hip and leg areas.

If there is a specific trouble spot the therapist knows about ahead of time, this will also be addressed once that area is easily accessible and the dog is receptive to being touched there. Ideally, the therapist will be able to work the dog’s body on both sides. However, the progression of the massage will depend largely on the dog’s response throughout the entire process.

In most cases, once dogs experience a therapeutic massage and know that it tends to feel good, they relax more easily during the next massage. This allows the therapist to focus on specific problem areas or work areas more deeply. An experienced therapist will be able to assess how receptive a dog is and adjust the massage accordingly.

The Gift of Feeling Better

At Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center, dogs can experience the wonderful gift of canine massage therapy. Our certified and licensed canine massage therapist with over six years of experience with dogs of all ages and breeds.

Massages are 30 minutes long and available on Wednesdays by appointment. Your dog’s massage will be customized to its specific needs. You can be present with your dog during the entire massage appointment.

Book Your Dog’s Appointment

If you want a massage for your dog to relieve pain, ease soreness, promote relaxation, or reduce anxiety while boarding with us, we can help. Give us at 303-708-8050 and we’ll schedule your dog’s session. We love making your special friends feel better!

Most pet owners are familiar with the Elizabethan collar, or e-collar for short. Often referred to as the “cone of shame”, this collar has a much-maligned reputation, despite it serving an essential role in post-surgery recovery for dogs and cats. 

Designed to protect pets from licking or chewing at surgical wounds, bandages, sores or itchy spots, the e-collar has been a ‘go-to’ helper for many years and there are several versions that have become available over time.  

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When it comes to pet pain management, veterinary medicine has made tremendous strides in the past century. It’s now common knowledge that pets feel pain in much the same way as humans and that chronic pain can impair the healing process by interfering with immune function, decreasing appetite, and increasing anxiety.

Improving the quality and longevity of our patients’ lives is one of our top priorities. Let’s take a moment to focus on a pet’s pain and the various ways we can help manage it.

Recognizing Pet Pain

Recognizing signs of pain in pets is crucial for their care and comfort. Our pets can’t verbally communicate their discomfort, so it’s up to us as owners to observe and interpret changes in their behavior. Common signs that your pet might be in pain include:  

• Sudden limping
• Pacing
• Crying out or growling
• Excessive licking
• Loss of appetite
• Lack of grooming
• Lethargy or decreased activity

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In 2000, Colorado became one of the first states to legalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Since then, many other states have followed suit (29 to be exact). Nine states (including Colorado) have legalized its recreational use, as well.

What does this have to do with pets? More than you may realize. Not only have cases of marijuana toxicity in pets increased since marijuana laws began passing, but pet owners have also been turning to marijuana to try and help their pets with a variety of medical issues. Specifically, they’re seeking the oil extracted from the hemp plant, called cannabidiol oil (CBD oil) to treat their pet’s pain and other ailments.

The use of CBD oil for pets is growing in popularity, but is it right for your pet?

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