brooke's blog

I was walking along the beach this afternoon with the dogs and followed a lovely chocolate Lab.  

These were his imprints:

The joy of being a physio is that I can't switch off from watching and observing. Whether it be how humans stand in a cue, the shape of their buttocks (not for a weird reason but it tells me what their back is like... of course!) and all our 4 legged friends moving

Movement tells us so much.  Animals are very body aware and have 4 feet to distribute their weight.

This lovely labrador was multi-limb lame and you can tell by his prints that he is not spaced evenly.

So when you are next on the beach with your friend (human or animal) - have a look back at your footprints and see what that tells you!

I will be running a course with Helen (Animal Physio from Sydney) in Melbourne next Feb regarding canine conformation and gait - got me thinking today on my stroll.

Happy beaching!!

Cheers

A little quote that might help get your creative juices flowing for a new year:

From Paul Overton:

"When you come to the edge of the light you have known and take the first step into the darkness of uncertainty, you have to believe that one of two things will happen.

You will find something solid there to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly"

Some food for thought!

I hope the silly season goes well for you all.

You may remember Frank the little man with a big spirit.  He brought his favourite toy in the underwater treadmill this week for his check up. Frank had spinal surgery over a year ago now (his story is in the testimonial section).  It is great to see him being maintained beautifully as he did not recovery fully.  He still is a little wobbly (ataxic) but is pain free and enjoying life to the maximum.  What a fella!!

Go Frank!

Samui came back to visit yesterday.  I treated Samui 4 years ago when she was an 8 yo Border collie.  After being hit by a car, she suffered severe hip/pelvis fractures.  With extensive surgery and such incredible devotion from her owners, we managed to get  Samui back to the property running on 4 legs.  As she had such severe injuries she ended up losing range in her left back leg and it has stayed as a 'peg' leg so to speak.  

4 years down the track and as a bright 12 yo working dog, she now needs some tune ups to help reduced the secondary arthritis she has been developing.

She remembered the underwater treadmill and took to it like a duck to water.  Samui has been through so much over the last few years and still enjoys time with the father of her child Julius (also pictured).  Julius has had radiotherapy 2 years ago for a brain tumour and though a little 'special' is still bright and happy and enjoyed some therapy for his Christmas oil and grease change.  

Samui impacted on me greatly when I treated her 4 years ago and she was my first dog on my wall of fame at NCVS.  It is great to see her high spirit again and I look forward to keeping her moving next year.

Thanks again for all the incredible hard work, love and dedication you put into your dogs!

So I was told this beautiful dog was afraid of needles.  He has been suffering from back pain with possible disc degeneration.  Alfie's vets and dedicated owner have decided to manage his condition conservatively.  Not only does he tolerate his electroacupuncture sessions but he changes personality into 'zen' mode.  Combined with physiotherapy, massage, underwater treadmill and exercises at home to improve his spine stability and strength, Alfie is improving nicely.  I hope he continues to progress so he can get back to his old self.  Well done Alfie for being so brave!