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One of the special animals we treated this month!

Read all about it here!

conditions:
Arthritis
An in-depth look at this condition.

Read all about it here!

Brooke's blog

brooke's blog

Winter is nigh..... Keep your best friend moving!

Brooke Marsh - Tuesday, May 01, 2012
If you are finding that your best friend is slowing down in the the chillier mornings..... Let's work on keeping him moving!

It is now the time to get out your healing hands, learn how to massage your friend, give him the right sort of exercise and why not join me for a session in the heated underwater treadmill for the best workout his joints could possibly want.

Don't forget your cat can join in also for Physiotherapy (or even underwater treadmill if you saw Bella the wonder cat recently!)

If you would like to try some acupuncture to help with pain relief, relaxation and aid healing this is the perfect time.  I would be happy to teach you what you can do at home to help keep him moving through the cooler months.
I have just updated my article on the front page about arthritis is you would like to learn more.

Embrace the winter and keep on keeping on!


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Hip Stretches

Brooke Marsh - Tuesday, May 01, 2012

As part of my job as an Animal Physiotherapist it is very important to teach the owners what they can do at home to improve the quality of life of their dog.

If you would like to have a peek at a common stretch I teach owners here is some information for you.

If your dog has patella luxation (often small breeds with a skipping gait) or hip dysplasia/low back pain this may not be appropriate so feel free to ask me first if this is appropriate for your dog.

Always watch his/her face when you are doing some massage/stretches to ensure it is pain free - they will let you know if you go slowly and listen!


Often when dogs get up in the morning they will do a 'downward dog' stretch (in yoga like a play bow) then an 'upward dog' stretch - this is like the upward dog stretch they naturally do. Dogs are so body aware they know in 2 stretches how to stretch their whole body.
How about you join in - a great start for you also and you will often set off your dog to do some Doga also!
Happy stretching!

Photos courtesy of 'The Healthy way to stretch your dog' (S.Foster, A.Foster)

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Update on my Missie

Brooke Marsh - Tuesday, May 01, 2012
I get asked every day how my Missie is recovering from her spinal injury January last year.  I hope this photo tells a thousand words.  From a dog that was incontinent and paralysed, I think she is doing very well (touch wood).  It is a journey for sure with ups and downs, but overall she now has a great quality of life (despite her modifications).  With the help of her vest she enjoys her swims on her own.  
Many have come along in this journey with their own dog and you will understand how great it is to see them enjoying life.
She is 9 this year so hopefully we can keep these times going for a lot longer!

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This made my day...

Brooke Marsh - Saturday, April 14, 2012
I treated Harry a few years ago after Cruciate surgery.  He recovered very well but had an incident of back spasm on Easter weekend, requiring treatment.  I was a little concerned about the fella and woke up to this message which made my day.

Hi Brooke

 

I can’t thank you enough for the care you took with Harry yesterday, and the extra time you gave him.

 

He slept for about 2 hrs when we got home, snuggled up in his pale blue dressing gown. When he woke up he was very happy and energetic. The massage and acupuncture worked wonders for him. This morning he woke us up (first time all week) ready to go out walking and demanding breakfast.

 

That is why I love my job!




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The waiting room isn't big enough!

Brooke Marsh - Friday, April 06, 2012
What a site! I am glad we had a clear waiting room at NCVS when Friday the lovely long haired Saint Bernard visited me yesterday.  She now has a younger sibling who is keeping her on her toes and causing a few issues with her shoulders with rough play.  I treated Friday years ago for a severe neck injury (conservative management for disc degeneration).  She recovered very well with Physiotherapy treatment and is the easiest largest hairiest dog to treat with Acupuncture.  
And yes Friday fits in my treadmill.... I must say I would enjoy the buoyancy of the water if I was that size.
This is her session today....


A little about this breed: 
Saint Bernards are awesome family pets if you don't mind having a gigantic dog being part of your family, if you don't mind a lot of slobber, if you don't mind a lot of fur, and if you don't mind a dog who can clean off the dinner table with his tongue. Saint Bernards are famous for how good they are with children. They seem to have an innate understanding for how children think and behave, and are incredibly patient with them. They are gentle with little ones, and go out of their way not to hurt them. They aren't that easy to train as they can be independent, and occasionally stubborn. They are quick to housetrain, however. Saint Bernards were bred to be search and rescue dogs, and they need daily exercise and mental stimulation. However, they are not terribly active dogs, so they will need some incentive to exercise.
I am glad I am not stomaching the food bill for this household!





 
I am glad I am not stomaching the food bill for this household.









 
 
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Charlie recovering from Spinal surgery

Brooke Marsh - Monday, March 26, 2012

What a shot! Meet Charlie. This beautiful little fella came all the way from Gladstone.  He was born with scoliosis in his thoracic spine, requiring surgery to decompress his spinal cord.  He was in hospital with us at North Coast Veterinary Specialists for a few weeks.  His amazingly dedicated owners drove down and back from Gladstone to visit and attend his physiotherapy sessions.  He is now walking (though with ataxia - neurological 'wobbly' gait) but this will improve in time. 

I look forward to seeing his progress and take my hat off to his owners (and extended family) for all the hard work they are putting into this fella to improve his quality of life.

Go Charlie!

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Rainy days

Brooke Marsh - Monday, March 26, 2012

Gotta love a sleepy physio session in a bali hut. What a lovely sight to see the relaxing session for Snoopy and her mum.  After some underwater treadmill (no umbrella or gumboots required) and acupuncture and physio both enjoyed some time to revitalise.

I think we should rename the sunny coast! The underwater treadmill has been a blessing for many owners who have not been able to get their loved ones out for a good ol fashioned stroll in the park. Blue is so Blue today! Thanks huey for giving us some respite!



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Read my new article about Acupuncture

Brooke Marsh - Tuesday, March 20, 2012

I have just attached a new article I did for the NCVS (North Coast Veterinary Specialists) newsletter on the Acupuncture page on this website.  It gives a background for understanding the east and west approach to Acupuncture.

I hope it helps you understand a little more how this 5000 year old method of treatment works.


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APA Chair Induction Meeting - Melbourne

Brooke Marsh - Tuesday, March 20, 2012

As I have taken on the Chair role of the Animal Physio Group (APG) of our Professional Body The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), we had an induction meeting last Friday in Melbourne.

I had the opportunity to meet other like minded physios from each sector. Many are not aware of the scope of our Practice. The other areas (those that work on 2 legs) include: Sports, Musculoskeletal, Aquatic, Acupuncture and Dry needling, Gerontology, Paediatrics, Neurology, Physiotherapy Business Australia, Cardiorespiratory, Continence And Women's Health. 

How lucky we are to have so many well established sectors of our Profession.  It was interesting to learn about the pathway of Physiotherapy since 1950s.  We were headed by the Medical Pracitioner's Board but had our first Physiotherapist as head of our professional body in 1972 when we became Primary Practitioners.

As such a new area of Physiotherapy, our growing profession in Australia of Animal Physiotherapy is a very interesting path.  It is just fantastic to have the support of the APA and to learn a little more about what they are doing for our profession. There have been many changes in the last few years and we now have a strategic plan for 2012-2014 to build our profession.

I learnt many techniques to help take on the role of Chair and am very grateful for the opportunity to meet all involved and feel supported in this new position. It is a very exciting time for Animal Physiotherapists in Australia and I hope the next 4 years are very productive to help continue to build our profession.

Ps Melbourne was usual Melbourne - rain, a bit of sun, rain, wind, rain.... I have 3 APA trips in the first few months of this year and I must say it seems to be the same. Saying that the 'sunny coast' needs a change of name also this year!


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Bella the wonder cat working well in Underwater Treadmill

Brooke Marsh - Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Bella had her 2nd session in the underwater treadmill this week to help manage her osteoarthritis in her hips and back.

She was so much more comfortable and you can really see the improvement in her stride.  

 Bella is now more easily jumping up onto the couch and having no problems getting up and down.  Her back and hip pain has improved considerably on palpation.  Combined with acupuncture and physiotherapy and a home program she is doing very well for an old girl. Well done Bella! (ps and thanks for not shredding me!)
What an amazing puss!

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