brooke's blog

I am honoured to take on a new role for this year.  I have been involved with the Animal Physio Group (APG) of the APA (Australian Physiotherapy Association) for the past few years.  As the Qld rep it has been great to be a part of such a team and work with our professional body.  I have now been asked to step into some big shoes and take over the Chair position.

We are a relatively new profession in this country so there are many behind the scene issues to work on to establish ourselves.  The APA has provided a huge support over this time.  The committee members have volunteered their time, some before we had a Masters qualification or registered profession in Australia.  The chair role has been filled by Elizabeth, Lindsey and Michelle over this time.  I thank them for all their time and dedication to the profession over the years.  Dr Helen Nicholson has fortunately agreed to help me as Vice Chair and I look forward to working with all these dedicated Animal Physios over the next few years.

Hopefully this year will see some great progressions in re-establishing our educational pathway and further developing the awareness of our profession across the public and veterinary profession.  

A client of mine kindly forwarded on this information to me regarding dog pens

Many dogs need crate rest/restraining after surgery. This is one of my most asked questions at discharge to help get our friends back to full recovery safely.

Here is the information she sent - hopefully it will help some more

As mentioned, this is the dog pen we bought on line.  For the $$ I can’t really fault it.  10 seconds to set up with a separate bottom sheet attached by Velcro patches.  Two mesh panels unzip as doors and if needs be, there’s a top which zips on.  Scroll down on the website page and there are several photos.

Emma has plenty of room.  To the point the odd owner gets in for hugs.  Surprising I know.

There are 2 sizes available - one for little fluffies and big dogs

The only caveat would be for dogs which habitually stand on their back legs with paws up the side.  Because its light and essentially a walled structure, I reckon it would tip slightly.  We’ve got it in the corner of the bedroom  which works well.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130601795293&clk_rvr_id=292064643653&crlp=1_262691_262721&UA=%3F*I%3F&GUID=0ba954e61340a47a44434193fa1e95e1&mt_id=641&query={query%7D&fitem=130601795293&linkin_id=7001106&kw={query}&sortbid=19&ff4=262691_262721

They delivered it within about 2-3 days.

Thanks again for everything.  Truly appreciated.

Angela & Randy & Emmy

It wasn't the best start to new year's eve. We went for a lovely bush walk in our local with the 2 little ones and Tiah. We came across 2 large dogs off lead who attacked all straight away. I can't believe how irresponsible some dog owners are. 

Pebbles is lucky to be alive with the largest dog around her neck. My partner and I fought the dogs until the owner came who had no control over them what so ever. 

She luckily took off but needed a late night visit to the vets and treatment. After tackling the 2 dogs the owner did not even have a lead with him.  The dogs were unregistered and extremely aggressive. He wouldn't give his details and took off before waiting to see if Pebbles was alive.  With a few scratches we were all pretty lucky and needed a new years drink after that walk for sure. The anal glands are all clear for the start of the year (ours included!)

What to do with such owners!!  

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!