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Getting Dogs Back in Motion

Posted in: Healthy Dog April 7, 2017

Kirsten Holland was in the laundry room at her home in the Flathead when Bug, her 8-year-old Doberman, collapsed.

It was 2013, and Bug suddenly couldn’t use her legs. A shelter dog rescued in 2007, Bug had become part of Holland’s household, a full-on member of the family. They took Bug to Great Falls to get surgery on what they found was a blown disc in her neck, and while the surgery that Dr. Rick Scherr performed relieved the pain, the dog remained immobile.

“We suspect that she had a spinal stroke as well,” Holland said.

All Bug could do was wag her tail and lift her head. The prognosis was grim, offering little chance of the Doberman regaining her mobility.

“As I was leaving, another vet said, ‘Don’t give up on that dog,’” Holland said. “They said to get her home and upright.”

Holland’s husband built several contraptions to get Bug on her feet, but otherwise, they were at a loss at how to help their canine friend.

That is, until the Whitefish Animal Hospital called with an offer to work with Stacy Upton, a physical therapist who had recently taken her know-how to the dog realm.

Bug was fitted for a custom wheelchair, and, thanks to a Facebook fundraising drive, was soon scooting around in a $1,500 Eddie’s Wheels wheelchair for dogs. Within two or three days in the wheels, Bug could sit up on her own. After four months in the chair and doing physical therapy with Upton, Bug was out of the wheels entirely, walking and jogging on her own.

Sitting in Canine in Motion last week, Upton’s business specializing in physical therapy and fitness for dogs, Holland grew teary at the memory of Bug’s fight to walk again.

“This is a really important thing for me to see happen,” she said of the physical therapy practice. “It saved my dog’s life.”

“She did a ton of work,” Upton said of Bug. “I just kind of guided them.”

Upton is one of the few certified canine rehabilitation practitioners (CCRP) in Montana. She’s worked in human physical therapy for years but always had an interest in canine wellness. When presented with the opportunity to become a CCRP through a program at the University of Tennessee, Upton jumped at the chance.

Four years later, Canine in Motion is up and running, with a workout space for the dogs, including aquatic therapy. The underwater treadmill at her shop is a rarity in the state — it can be filled to any level and allows a pooch to walk or jog with a normal gait pattern while also taking pressure off the dog’s joints.

Buck, Upton’s 6-year-old Labradoodle, is a big fan of the tank, and likes to hold a yellow fish toy in his mouth while he works out. The tank not only helps for rehabbing dogs, but also for fitness, Upton said, because the resistance allows the dog to get in a good workout in half the time.

Otherwise, the facility provides FitPaws exercise balls for dogs, so the canines can work on balance and coordination. The dogs also train on ramps and stairs, and can do an assortment of activities to work on their issues. Upton also offers laser therapy and manual therapy to go along with the therapeutic exercise.

It was a bit of a pipe dream when she first thought of it, Upton said. But now that dogs have become more like family members than pets, more people are searching for ways to improve their dogs’ lives. Common surgeries in dogs, such as ACL tear repairs, need rehabilitation efforts for the dog to regain full use of the injured area as well as keep the rest of the body healthy instead of overcompensating.

At this point, Upton works with canine clients by appointment while she juggles Canine in Motion with her human clientele. Any dog owners seeking rehab need a veterinary referral, but fitness clients don’t, she said.

“It’s so fulfilling working with dogs,” Upton said. “Dogs — they want to get better.”

Bug did get better, adding a whole extra year to her life before she was diagnosed with the cancer that would eventually take her. Holland said the last year with Bug was a gift she’ll always cherish.

“Without Stacy, we wouldn’t have had a whole extra year with Bug,” Holland said.

Getting Dogs Back in Motion

April is National Pet First-Aid Awareness Month

Posted in: Healthy Dog April 20, 2015

Bisquit - I feel so pretty after my groom with Charlie!!!

Bisquit – I feel so pretty after my groom with Charlie!!!

April is National Pet First-Aid Awareness Month, and although it is a topic pet parents should have on their minds year-round, this is a great time to make sure you learn animal life-saving skills. You can’t keep your four-legged best friend in a plastic bubble – without notice, illness and injury happen, so you must be PAWpared to help even before you can get veterinary assistance.
Preventable accidents are the leading cause of death among our pets, and according to the American Veterinary Association (AVMA) 9 out of 10 dogs and cats can expect to have an emergency during their lifetime. The good news is that 25% more animals can be saved if humans perform first aid BEFORE getting to their Vet (American Animal Hospital Association AAHA statistic). What this means is that the most competent Veterinarian cannot bring your pet back to life, but by knowing Pet First-Aid & CPR, you can keep your dog or cat alive until you reach professional medical help.

By knowing Pet First Aid, you can:

• Lower your pet’s body temperature if he suffers from Heat Stroke and prevent brain damage or death.
• Stop bleeding and prevent infection by properly bandaging a wound. Knowing where the critical arterial pressure points are on your pooch can truly be life-saving!
• Prevent your pet from losing consciousness by alleviating choking.
• Expel poison from your pet’s system by properly inducing vomiting
• Be the pump your pet’s heart can’t be until you can get him to professional medical help.

Pet First-Aid is by no means a replacement for veterinary care, but reacting at the moment injury occurs and then getting to professional medical help can make a difference. You and your Veterinarian must work together as a team for the well-being of your pet.

Even before you get into a Pet First-Aid & CPCR Class you should:

1. Know where your nearest Animal ER is & Keep up with annual Veterinary Visits. Drive there before you need to, so that you know where to enter, what services are offered and how they accept payment. Don’t miss annual veterinary exams where professional eyes, hands, ears, stethoscope, blood test and urinalysis can diagnose problems at their earliest stages.

2. Do a weekly Head-to-Tail Check-up of your pet and notice changing habits. Really get to know your pet, his body and his habits so that you can more quickly determine when something is not quite right. Feel for lumps and bumps, parasites and burrs, anything that should not be on him. Notice what your dog or cat looks like when he sits and stands. How often do you have to fill his water bowl and how often he needs to answer nature’s call? Changes may warrant a veterinary check-up.

3. Get Down on all Fours. Look at your house and yard from your pet’s perspective. Anything on the floor is fair game and an animal’s amazing sense of smell can find hidden temptations behind cabinet doors. Cleaners and fertilizers not absorbed through paw pads will be ingested when your dog or cat grooms himself, so keep items out of paws reach and use pet friendly chemicals.

4. Read your pet’s food label. The first 3-5 items listed on the ingredient label are the bulk of your pet’s diet. Make sure the first one is a high quality protein — the name of the animal in the food (ie: chicken, lamb, salmon, or venison). Limit or avoid wheat, corn and soy which results in allergic reactions in many pets. Can’t pronounce it? Your pet probably doesn’t need it. Feeding the right food (all dogs and cats won’t do well on the same brand) just may prevent illness. Educate yourself for your pet’s sake as food okay for humans may not be so for canines or felines.

5. Spend quality time together. That’s why we have pets – to make them part of the family, so when you walk the dog, don’t talk on your cell phone or text. Tune in to kitty rather than mindlessly petting her. Be in the now and keep your eyes open to your pet’s environment to avoid disasters.

Source: https://www.scratchingsandsniffings.com

Pets are an important part of many families, and April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month is the perfect time to ensure you have the skills to take care of your furry family member.

Pet First Aid Tips
Do you know what to do during a pet emergency? Here are some common emergency tips:

• To determine if your cat or dog is dehydrated, pull up on the skin between the shoulder blades. It should spring right back; if it stays tented this is a sign of dehydration.
• Signs of pet poisoning include bleeding externally or internally, dilated pupils, drooling or foaming at the mouth, seizures or other abnormal mental state or behavior.
• If your pet has a seizure, make sure it is in a safe place, but do not restrain the animal. Keep your hands away from its mouth as your pet may not know who you are during a seizure and could bite you.
• Signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion include collapse; body temperature of 104 degrees F or above; bloody diarrhea or vomiting; wobbliness; excessive panting or difficulty breathing; increase heart rate; mucous membranes very red; and increased salivation.
• Pets bitten by other animals need vet attention to prevent the wound (even if minor) from becoming infected and to check for internal wounds. Never break up a dogfight yourself because you could be bitten.
• If your pet is bleeding, apply direct pressure using gauze over the bleeding site. If blood soaks through, apply more gauze (do not removed soaked gauze) until you can reach a veterinary hospital.

Pet First Aid App
More lifesaving information is available on the Red Cross Pet First Aid App that helps dog and cat owners to provide emergency care until veterinary assistance is available. Owners have access to step-by-step instructions, videos and images for more than 25 common first aid emergencies. Check out the Top 5 Features of the
Red Cross Pet First Aid App.
The Pet First Aid App can be found in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store for Android by searching for American Red Cross or by going to redcross.org/mobileapps.
Pet owners may also take a Red Cross Pet First Aid course so they can practice the skills and receive feedback. People can go to redcross.org/takeaclass for information and to register.
https://www.redcross.org

Dog grooming: why it’s not just Crufts entrants that need care and attention

Posted in: Dog Grooming March 16, 2015

Pet grooming is often perceived as being purely for beauty, but in reality it’s hugely important for their health and well-being – even if you’re not planning to enter them in Crufts.

How often you groom your pet will depend on a number of factors (such as the length of their coat) but it’s an important part of every pet’s routine.

Grooming can help you spot fleas, bumps and cuts as well as skin problems – and will also help you bond with your pet.

Start grooming your pet when they are young

You should try to get your pet accustomed to grooming while they are still a puppy or kitten.

If you wait too long to begin grooming, your pet may find it harder to get used to – especially when it comes to things such as nail clipping.

Talk to your groomer about when to start grooming your pet.

Hi I am Zoe, this was my first time using Houndz Of Hollywood and wasn't Charlie GRRRREAT!!!

Hi I am Zoe, this was my first time using Houndz Of Hollywood and wasn’t Charlie GRRRREAT!!!

Be patient when grooming your pet

If your pet is particularly energetic, you might find it hard to keep them still for long enough to thoroughly groom them.

Don’t get disheartened though. Start simply, by taking a small section of their coat and groom them for little longer each time with lots of praise afterwards.

With plenty of patience, your pet can actually enjoy being groomed and it can also improve the bond between you and your pet.

Brush your pet’s coat regularly

You should try to brush your dog a few times a week, or slightly less for dogs with short hair.

Use a specialist brush or comb and groom small sections of hair at a time. Holding your hand close to your dog’s skin will reduce any tugging and make it easier to see any dirt, abnormalities or fleas (little black specks can indicate your pet has fleas).

Consult your groomer for advice on the best way for you to begin grooming your pet.

Ensure your pet’s eyes and ears remain healthy

When you come to groom your pet, you should also be checking for any abnormalities with their eyes and ears – regardless of whether you have a cat or dog.

Tell your vet if you see any redness, irritation, or cloudy eyes as any of these symptoms could indicate an infection or a larger underlying problem.

Keep your pet’s nails trimmed

Active dogs may not need nail trimming, but it’s important to check regularly as long nails can curl and grow into your dog’s paws causing pain and infection – much like ingrowing toenails in humans.

We suggest having a groomer or vet trim nails.

Source: Petplan

 

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