We want to know their symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle but also their character and temperament to make an accurate diagnosis and to get an insight of how to best approach treatment with your dog. A dog that is given time to settle is more likely to relax into treatment and have a positive experience.
We will also write down what you tell us in your records. These will be treated as confidential in accordance with standards of practice set out by the General Osteopathic Council and the Data Protection Act 1998.
The actual assessment will begin with an observation of the dog through gait cycles: walk, trot and canter (if possible). We might ask your permission to video it for a more accurate assessment and as reference point to assess progress. If you have any footage yourself, please bring it with you.
This will be followed by general palpation of the dog’s entire body, looking for imbalance, tension, strain patterns and injury, and by orthopaedic and neurological examinations. At this point an osteopathic evaluation can be made. I will explain my hypothesis and management plan and will answer any question that you might have. Treatment will follow to restore or improve function and movement.
Occasionally, the dog may have to be referred to the vet for further investigations before commencing with treatment.
It generally involves different osteopathic techniques such as mobilisations, manipulation, soft tissue massage, lymphatic drainage, stretching and strengthening.
I also use, when needed, a low-level Omega laser, which promotes optimal wound healing, pain relief, healing of soft tissue injuries (muscles, tendons, and ligaments). Low level laser is safe, non-invasive, painless, side-effect free. (Omega Laser Treatment read more here.)
Generally, dogs enjoy treatment, though when working over a painful area, we work sensitively. All techniques are modified to account for the dog’s pain.
