The Basics of Animal Massage Therapy

Massage has been shown to be very beneficial for pets as well as humans. Our pets enjoy the same benefits, such as reducing stress, enhancing blood circulation, decreasing pain, improving sleep, reducing swelling, enhancing relaxation, and increasing oxygen capacity of the blood. Pain induced by muscle knots, excessive tightness, and muscle spasms can often be reduced or eliminated by massage alone. And massage is helpful in the breakdown of adhesions, or the sticking together of healing tissues, which can cause movement restrictions and discomfort.

It is possible to perform basic massage techniques on your own pet at home. As always, check with your veterinarian before performing massage if your pet has a medical condition. Massage is not recommended for some situations, such as active infections, pregnancy, and cancer.

When performing massage on your pet, keep in mind these guidelines:

Massage should never hurt. If your pet seems uncomfortable (restless, snaps, cries, or winces), use lighter pressure. If while using a light stroke your pet is still uncomfortable, then it is best to discontinue the massage.
Spending too much time in one area can cause soreness. Be sure to incorporate the whole body, and move from one area to the next in an orderly fashion. Approximately five minutes on each area should be a comfortable amount of time.
Always keep one hand on your pet for continuity. It can be distracting and confusing to your pet if you repeatedly touch them one minute, and not he next. (Remember how annoying it would be when your pesky brother or sister would poke you one minute, and then say "I'm not touching you" the next?)

Here is a brief overview of the most common massage strokes used:

Effleurage – A gliding motion following the contour of the body that can be done softly to relax the pet both when you first approach as well as at the conclusion of the massage. Begin moving down the pet (head to tail, shoulder to toes, hip to toes) in order to achieve a relaxing sensation. Benefits include increased circulation by dilating capillaries, increasing lymphatic circulation, relaxing and soothing the patient, and removing waste products, or “flushing”, the area massaged.
Petrissage – Rhythmic lifting of tissue in a circular, single or bi-directional pattern. Think about lifting the tissue from the bone and gently squeezing or milking. Circles and longitudinal strokes over muscle help broaden the tissue to make it more warm and elastic. Benefits include increased circulation (deeper than effleurage), removing toxins, reducing local swelling, relieving fatigue, improving cellular nutrition, mechanically relaxing the muscles, reducing muscle soreness/stiffness, and softening superficial connective tissue.
Skin Rolling – A form of Petrissage. The skin is lifted between the thumb and fingers and gently compressed, and then rolled as the fingers “walk” over the tissue. This can be performed in multiple directions. Benefits include loosening adhesions and releasing endorphins.
Friction – Brisk, often heat producing compressive strokes that may be done superficially to the skin or to deeper tissue layers. Benefits of friction massage include increasing circulation, loosening stiff muscles/joints, reorganizing collagen, reducing trigger point activity, and freeing restrictions caused by adhered tissues.

Also, keep in mind how you are giving the massage. There is a different sensation when using a flat, open palm versus using just your fingertips The massage technique is just as important as the massage stroke being used:

Superficial – The hands or fingers are drawn over the skin in a brisk back and forth motion.
Deep – The finger puts pressure on the body and then moves in small movements in different directions (up and down, back and forth, or circular).

Watch your pet's body language for signs of how much pressure you need to apply:

Too much: eyes opening or dilating, sudden faster breathing, glancing at you from the corner of their eye, sitting up, squirming, or moving away.
Just right: sighing, yawning, licking their lips, flatulence.

Thank you!

It's when I receive comments like these that make my job so rewarding! Thank you to all of my wonderful clients who are truly dedicated to their pet's well-being!


"...I want to take Nelson (brindle Great Dane w/femoral head removal)[to your weekly dog fitness walk] so that you can see how well he's doing. He's literally a walking advertisement for your therapy program. And a running advertisement. And jumping. And playing. And so on. If you remember, he got a little spastic whenever we first go there. Now, he's like that all the time.
We took him and our American Bulldog/Pointer mix Rion for a ~3 mile walk this week. Rion crashed for two days. Nelson napped for a while and was ready for more."

Neil H.
(Owner of Nelson, Lafayette, IN)



"...Darby is doing well - although I do not see any more progress with mobility, she has not regressed either which of course is terrific. I certainly believe the therapy she received at your facility has her where she is today and as you know the prognosis was not good when we first arrived (if you recall she could not walk). Many thanks to you and the good Dr. for your hard work and caring approach. I am very grateful she is still with me. Thank you.

Hope all is well with you and your continuing education. Stay with it -
you are just the sort of person that is crucial to help people like
myself that are just bonkers for their animals."

Sincerely,
Steve P.
(Owner of Darby, Indianapolis, IN)

Pets can win the battle of the bulge with our help. Let's get a handle on pet obesity by promoting healthy and active lifestyles.

Did you know that over 30 million dogs and cats in the US are overweight or obese?

An overweight pet is defined as weighing 10-19% over the ideal weight for their breed. While an obese pet is defined as weighing 20% or more over the ideal weight. So, to put this into perspective, just two pounds of excess weight on a 10-pound dog or cat, is equivalent to a human gaining 30 pounds. That can lead to some serious health implications, such as heart disease, diabetes mellitus, arthritis, and fatty liver disease.

Have you discovered your pet has a little extra baggage lately? Take notice if your pet: doesn't have palpable ribs, doesn't have an hourglass figure (loss of waistline), has a belly which hangs down, waddles when walking, and has difficulty getting around. The good news is that obesity is a condition that is correctable. The following are just a few steps to a healthier pet:

Step 1. Nutrition
Whether your pet needs to shed a lot of pounds, or just become more fit-and-trim, a solid nutritional foundation is key. It is important to have the right balance of quality, highly digestible nutrients that match your pet’s age and lifestyle.

Step 2. Pain Relief
If your pet is painful for any reason, that can be a barrier to leading a more active lifestyle. Your veterinarian is the best person to help you determine the most appropriate pain management options for your pet. There are many pain management options available that include the use of physical rehabilitation, dietary supplements, homeopathic remedies and prescription medications.

Step 3. Exercise
Keeping active is the key, so consistent activity can significantly decrease weight by demanding the body to burn more calories. As short as 5-10 minutes twice a day, three days a week can make a difference. Some pets, however, need additional guidance and support when starting an exercise regimen. Before having your pet begin any exercise program, consult with your veterinarian to make sure the activity level and supervision is appropriate for your pet's age and health status.

Getting an overweight pet started on a weight loss program can seem overwhelming at times. There is so much you want to do for your pet, and it can be difficult knowing where to start. Remember these points when your pet begins a weight loss program:

1. Set realistic goals.
Weight loss is a gradual process. If your pet is 25% overweight, it may take your pet several months to reach his or her target weight. Don't get discouraged if the weight is slow to come off at first.

2. Be conscious of how you feed your pet.
Closely supervise feedings if you have more than one pet to prevent food stealing between pets. Use a measuring cup to accurately determine the right amount to feed your pet, and divide the total amount to be fed each day into three or four small meals. The digestive tract as a whole is one of the largest organs of the body, and therefore requires a lot of energy to do its job. Feeding more frequent, smaller meals makes the digestive tract work more often, which in turn burns more calories than feeding one or two large meals.

3. Weight management takes commitment.
Your pet may require lifelong diet and exercise changes to maintain his or her ideal weight. Stick to the plan, and work closely with your veterinarian and rehabilitation provider when any adjustments are necessary. Your veterinary health care team will do whatever they can to help you and your pet succeed, so take their recommendations to heart.

For more information about pet obesity, visit the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention at www.petobesityprevention.com

Helping older pets get past the pain of arthritis.

As our pets get older, they experience the same trials and tribulations that we do: stiff joints, sore muscles, and arthritic changes. When our pets first experience pain associated with arthritis, they may alter their posture and activity level slightly to avoid the pain the best way that they can. This, in turn, causes added stress to other joints and muscles in the body to compensate for the initial injury. After a while, the parts of the body that are compensating to prevent the initial pain begin to wear out or become stiff themselves, causing more pain or discomfort.

Typically, our pets do not show signs of this pain until this cycle has been in full swing for some time. That's when we begin to see our pets have difficulty doing normal daily tasks, such as going up or down stairs, jumping up onto the couch, having to lay down while eating or drinking, or a decrease in playfulness. Changes in mood or behavior such as snapping, biting or growling may also be noted in an otherwise friendly and docile pet.


This reluctance to maintain normal activity leads to a more sedentary lifestyle because it simply hurts to move. However, the best cure is often exactly what our pet does not wish to do, which is keep active. We can break the vicious cycle by discussing with our veterinarian how to maximize the benefits from such treatment options as:

Pain Medications:
This includes traditional medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, as well as homeopathic herbal mixtures. Be sure to discuss with your veterinarian any over-the-counter remedies you may be giving your pet, as some may cause harmful interactions or negate the effects of the medications they prescribe.

Joint Supplements:
Utilize products that are available through your veterinarian such as chondroprotectants, glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, and essential fatty acids. These products serve to protect any remaining cartilage and support overall joint health.

Physical Rehabilitation Programs:
Structured exercise programs that are designed to slowly return your pet to a more normal level of activity. Your pet may be introduced to activities such as swimming or controlled low-impact exercises to stimulate inactive muscles and promote strengthening and growth.

Well-balanced Diets:
It is important to feed a high quality, balanced diet to ensure the body is receiving the nutrients it needs. Your veterinarian or animal rehabilitation provider can help you determine the appropriate diet and amount to feed for your pet's lifestyle. Over feeding adds extra calories that will pack on added pounds, leading to more stress on already stressed joints.

Alternative Therapies:
Massage therapy, homeopathic treatments, acupuncture, chiropractic care, reiki, low-level laser therapy, and a host of others are all available for pets. Ask your veterinarian or animal rehabilitation provider if they perform these treatments, or recommend any knowledgeable pet practitioners in these fields.

Home Exercise Programs:
A home exercise routine can be developed with the help of your veterinarian and animal rehabilitation provider to maximize strength and increase endurance for your pet. This requires dedicated owners who are willing to consistently carry out the prescribed diet and exercise plan.

Implementing the above items, with the help of your veterinarian, will help develop a comprehensive and balanced plan of attack to end the pain cycle and improve your pet's quality of life.

The new cat's meow. Rehab isn't just for dogs!

So many people are under the impression that physical rehabilitation is only for our canine companions. And while the predominant animal rehabilitation programs focus on dogs, many of the treatment options are applicable to, and well tolerated by our feline friends.

For cats, animal rehabilitation practitioners can use therapies such as massage, controlled passive and active exercise, low level laser therapy, ultrasound, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation to assist in reducing the pain response. The only therapy that cats typically object to is water therapy, either in a pool or underwater treadmill. However, there are some cats that tolerate the water, as was the case for Bob (pictured), who suffered a severe pelvic fracture.

Yes, cats are very independent and aloof. Yet it's still possible to develop and implement exercise routines, weight loss regimens, and pain management plans using rehabilitation modalities that can be very effective. The key is recognition of the pet's needs, and owner commitment to the plan.