| Non-Invasive Treatments give Senior Dogs Options | | | | transmit this energy given over distance. That is why |
| to Surgery | | | | we can send Reiki anywhere in the world." |
| One of the hardest decisions to make as an owner | | | | The benefits associated with Reiki range from |
| of a senior dog is deciding on the best treatment for | | | | reducing stress and anxiety to providing relief from |
| conditions they face as they grow older. For many | | | | respiratory, circulatory problems, even pain - many |
| ailments such as joint problems, heart or kidney | | | | issues senior dogs face. |
| disease, injuries etc. the options often presented | | | | Reiki, however, is not without its sceptics, especially |
| include medicine and frequently surgery. | | | | surrounding the concept of distance treatments, but |
| Unfortunately, as our dogs get older the strain that | | | | if you ask many of the patients who have received |
| surgical procedures place on our senior dogs becomes | | | | help from Reiki Fur Babies, the results are real. For |
| a serious cause for concern and a risk many are not | | | | example, recent success was achieved with an older |
| willing to take. However, thanks to a variety of | | | | dog that continually dug deep holes due to anxiety. |
| non-invasive treatment options such as dog | | | | Her parents had tried everything without success, |
| acupuncture, canine massage, physiotherapy, | | | | and as a result turned to Reiki Fur Babies for |
| hydrotherapy and even Reiki, there are alternatives. | | | | assistance. According to Ming, "After two Reiki |
| Dog Acupuncture: | | | | sessions, this dog has not dug a single hole. She was |
| Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese veterinary | | | | digging due to anxiety and Reiki was able to relieve |
| medicinal practice using very specific points in the skin | | | | her anxiety. Her owner now says she is a happy dog |
| along the body's "meridians" to stimulate a certain | | | | and has stopped her digging." |
| effect or change within the body. The process itself | | | | Physiotherapy: |
| entails the insertion of small needles or small amounts | | | | Physiotherapy is focused on improving movement |
| of saline just under the skin to stimulate the nervous | | | | and physical function as well as helping to relieve pain. |
| system and promote recovery. | | | | As with many alternative methods of treatment, |
| While acupuncture is useful for dogs of all ages, you | | | | physiotherapy is primarily used for treating humans, |
| cannot help but see how particularly beneficial it can | | | | but recently because of its effectiveness, these |
| be for older dogs. | | | | methods have been adapted to help improve the |
| "Since acupuncture is so helpful for so many of the | | | | quality of life for animals. Since Physiotherapists have |
| conditions suffered by older pets like weakness, | | | | specialized university education, which focuses |
| arthritis, organ dysfunction, immune system support, | | | | intensively in Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics, |
| cancer treatment, cognitive problems and bladder or | | | | Histology, Orthopedics, Neurology, and Pathology, |
| fecal incontinence, it can drastically improve the | | | | they are able to assess and treat joint, spine, |
| outcome when added to other treatments. Often | | | | muscular, and neurological dysfunctions. |
| older dogs will have a number of disease processes | | | | Senior dogs suffering from mobility issues can benefit |
| going on at the same time, limiting their body's ability | | | | greatly from this type of therapy. Some conditions |
| to handle certain medications to help with one | | | | that canine physiotherapy has been known to treat |
| problem, potentially making another one worse. | | | | include back, neck and pelvic pain, tendon, ligament |
| Acupuncture is of great benefit to these pets as it | | | | and muscle strains or tears, joint pain as well as |
| will maintain function in one area and supports the | | | | helping with rehabilitation after surgery. |
| treatment of another disease by another means," | | | | According to Shelly Malcolm, a Licensed |
| states Dr. Cara Gardner, a veterinarian with the | | | | Physiotherapist and owner of Pawsitive Action based |
| Broad Ripple Animal Wellness Center in Indianapolis | | | | in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, "Treatment by a |
| and a Certified Veterinarian Acupuncturist. | | | | physiotherapist will increase mobility, increase |
| If you are wondering how the dogs feel about | | | | muscular strength, and decrease pain, allowing a |
| having tiny needles inserted under their skin, Dr. | | | | senior dog to improve their function and live more |
| Gardner explains, "the process itself is very relaxing | | | | comfortably, active, and mobile as they age. |
| and many dogs end up sleeping right through the | | | | Physiotherapists can apply their skills and knowledge |
| treatment." | | | | to treat arthritis, muscle weakness, pain, vestibular |
| When asked what type of success she has had with | | | | (dizziness) issues, weight management or advise on |
| dog acupuncture, Dr. Gardner shared a story about | | | | sport and activity modification." |
| Frank, a dog suffering from a severe neck injury that | | | | After a thorough assessment has been made, |
| had been on prednisone for almost a full year. When | | | | treatment typically begins with more frequent |
| Frank was taken off this steroid his pain became so | | | | sessions focused on restoring the proper movement, |
| extreme that he would not eat, move or even wag | | | | regaining muscle mass and optimal tone, which is |
| his tail and while on the medication he was never | | | | accompanied by a home program. As progress is |
| truly himself. According to Dr. Gardner, after one | | | | made, the frequency is reduced and more emphasis |
| session of acupuncture Frank began to play with his | | | | is placed on continuing the therapy through the home |
| brothers. After 2 sessions, he was able to jump up | | | | program. |
| and down and chase the ball. Then after 3 sessions | | | | Shelly Malcolm recalls a recent experience with an |
| of acupuncture and herbal therapy, the prednisone | | | | eight year old collie named Ruby who had developed |
| was discontinued. | | | | a weak leg as part of overcompensating from an |
| Canine Massage: | | | | injury. As a result of Ruby constantly favouring the |
| Most people at some stage in their life has received a | | | | injured leg, the muscle became very small and tight, |
| massage to either treat an injury, condition or many | | | | while those on the uninjured leg became larger and |
| times simply as a form of relaxation, but have you | | | | stronger to compensate. |
| ever considered the benefits it can have for your | | | | "Ruby's treatment included a healing program with |
| senior dog? | | | | manual therapy, ultrasound, acupuncture and exercise. |
| Canine massage, adapted from human techniques, is | | | | Ruby's owners were taught how to properly exercise |
| the practice of soft tissue manipulation with physical | | | | Ruby's weak leg to build up the muscle and to put |
| and mental benefits. As your dog gets older they | | | | her on a weight management program to keep her |
| often face stiffness and pain caused from arthritis, | | | | weight down. In the beginning Ruby underwent a |
| joint problems or even injuries incurred as a result of | | | | series of treatments which then tapered them off to |
| their age. Massage can not only help to loosen the | | | | once a month and then checkups to ensure she |
| muscles, but it can go a long way in relieving pain and | | | | continued to improve. Thanks to her treatments, |
| promoting healing. | | | | Ruby is spinning around, going for long walks, and has |
| "Massage programs help maintain muscle tone, range | | | | a much improved and pain free quality of life," |
| of motion and flexibility while decreasing the atrophy | | | | describes Malcolm. |
| of muscle tissue and relieving the pain and discomfort | | | | Canine Hydrotherapy: |
| of aching muscles. Massage can also address a dog's | | | | While the benefits of hydrotherapy in humans have |
| emotional adjustment to declining ability to perform | | | | been well-documented, canine hydrotherapy is still |
| normal dog activities," describes Kate Titus, Canine | | | | relatively in its infancy. Hydrotherapy, which involves |
| Massage Therapist and owner of A Loyal Companion, | | | | moving and exercising in water, has been known to |
| out of Arizona. | | | | help with recovery for surgery, injury and to improve |
| As with many forms of treatment, canine massage | | | | the overall health of its participants. Of particular |
| requires a program consisting of ongoing therapeutic | | | | importance is the fact that movement in water |
| sessions. Each session involves an element of | | | | provides a safe way to regain or improve movement |
| establishing trust with the dog prior to the hands-on | | | | through low impact exercise. |
| work. | | | | The benefits of hydrotherapy thankfully are no |
| "A typical session often includes a brief gait analysis | | | | longer just for humans. Canine hydrotherapy is fast |
| to look for obvious hitches in the get-along; an | | | | becoming the therapy of choice for older dogs |
| opening where I determine if the dog is open to the | | | | suffering from joint pain, hip dysplasia, spinal |
| intense interaction we're about to have; actual | | | | problems, knee injuries and the list goes on. As dogs |
| hands-on time where I'm exploring muscles and | | | | get older and face mobility issues, canine |
| looking for and addressing tension and knots; periods | | | | hydrotherapy can becomes a valuable source of |
| of stretching after that particular muscle group is | | | | exercise leading to both physical and mental |
| warm and supple; a closing where I signal through | | | | well-being. |
| consistent hand movements that we're done. I | | | | As Tanya Morin-VanderHammen, Canine |
| always ask the dog if she enjoyed the massage and | | | | Hydrotherapist and owner of the Vancouver, BC |
| thank them for opening up to me," describes Titus. | | | | facility WaterWorks Paw Spa explains, "A canine |
| According to Kate Titus, the frequency of the | | | | parent will seek canine hydrotherapy for reasons that |
| massage depends on how long each dog holds the | | | | include arthritis, paralysis and other mobility issues or |
| effects of the treatment. She explains, "Some senior | | | | to just help fitness and muscle tone in a safe |
| dogs can hold the effects about 4-6 days, others | | | | environment. The benefits of swimming and |
| only 2-3 days. A good guideline is one time per week. | | | | movement in water on the physical body are well |
| The benefits of massage can be cumulative, but the | | | | known and have been used with humans for |
| work for senior dogs should be continuous and | | | | centuries. It is as effective for senior canines. The |
| consistent. They'd never complain, but you'll notice | | | | buoyancy of water supports and lessens stress on |
| the subtle changes in posture, movement and | | | | the joints, encourages freer movement and provides |
| disposition in a dog that misses her massages." | | | | a safe environment for exercise. Water increases |
| Kate has found success with many dogs throughout | | | | relaxation which can help pain and spasms. When |
| her career, but one that stands out is Mercury, a 16 | | | | moving in water, the resistance is 15 - 20 times that |
| year-old Husky mix who participated in an 8-week | | | | of moving in air so the muscles are being used |
| program to see if he would tolerate the interaction | | | | without the stresses of weight bearing creating a |
| and benefit from the work. | | | | safe way for senior canines to exercise and build |
| "During the first three sessions, Mercury was in | | | | muscle and relieve aches and pains." |
| constant motion and would not let me near his hips - | | | | Other benefits of warm water treatments include |
| his problem area. After some brainstorming and | | | | increased circulation helping to keep the skin and coat |
| success with this same technique with another client, | | | | healthy, decreasing stress and detoxifying the body. |
| we tried to focusing Mercury with a bully stick. Wow, | | | | Water can also decrease inflammation and improve |
| did that work. He finally lay down during our sessions | | | | the immune system. |
| and I was able to address the muscle tightness in his | | | | Tanya shared one of her favourite success stories, a |
| hips and the compensatory problems caused in his | | | | heart warming tale about a white German Shepherd |
| spine and back muscles. By the 8th week, Mercury | | | | named Keira who was recovering from physical and |
| was playing with the bully stick rather than chewing it | | | | emotional abuse that led to a dislocated leg and |
| and was encouraging us to join him in the back yard | | | | muscle atrophy. Keira's new mother had brought her |
| for a romp. His owner commented that he is doing | | | | to WaterWorks Paw Spa in hopes of building her |
| things now that he hadn't done for 5 years. He was | | | | confidence and muscle in a safe, nurturing |
| exploring his surroundings, trotting and cantering, and | | | | environment. |
| had more energy throughout the day." | | | | According to Keira's owner, after four sessions her |
| Reiki: | | | | improvement was dramatic. The warm water |
| For those senior dog owners that are open to | | | | treatment encouraged blood flow and limb |
| treatments that are perhaps less mainstream, you | | | | movement giving her the exercise and fun that she |
| may be interested in the growing popularity of Reiki, | | | | needed. As a result of her treatments, Keira was |
| a form of therapy in which practitioners seek to | | | | able to build muscle in her healing leg. |
| transmit a universal energy from a distance or by | | | | Overall, whether the treatment of your choice for |
| placing their hands on or near the person or pet. Reiki | | | | your older dog is acupuncture, physiotherapy, |
| seeks to restore order and balance to the body. | | | | hydrotherapy, massage or even Reiki, the thing to |
| Don't fool yourself, Reiki is far from being a new | | | | keep in mind is that you have options. As the world |
| concept, in fact its roots can be traced back to the | | | | of dog care continues to expand and evolve, senior |
| 1800's where it is believed to have evolved from | | | | dogs continue to be a direct beneficiary, giving dog |
| Japanese meditation techniques. | | | | owners alternatives to help create a better life for |
| Leaming Chee-Brown (aka Ming), first and second | | | | their four-legged family friends. |
| degree Reiki practitioner with Reiki Fur Babies, | | | | So do your research, talk to your vet and open your |
| explains this technique, "Reiki is a means of adding | | | | mind because there are new ways to help you and |
| more energy to an animal's life force battery to jump | | | | your dog enjoy a happy and healthy life together |
| start the healing process. The healer acts as a | | | | well into your dog's golden years. Afterall, isn't your |
| conduit for the flow or energy and it is possible to | | | | dog worth it? |