A regular client contacted me last week to treat her dog. This dog regularly competes in agility and as such has a rigorous training and conditioning programme that includes massage and hydrotherapy. The dog was not due for its maintenance treatment, when her owner contacted me and said the dog was “not quite right”.

The signs the dog’s owner had observed that led her to think the dog may be carrying an injury or strain included:

• Stopping on the underwater treadmill during a normal maintenance session.

• Disengaging during an agility competition.

• Not clearing jumps as high as normal at the previous week’s competition. On video footage of these runs, the owner observed the dog’s body was not symmetrical after jump take off. The left forelimb was slightly more extended and the right hock was not as flexed as the left.

• The dog was reluctant to drop from a sit position.

Observation and physical examination

During the treatment, I observed the following when the dog was walking on the flat and over cavalettis:

• The dog was carrying her head lower and forward.

• Her head was dropping when weight bearing on the left forelimb.

• She was reluctant to step over the cavalettis and “hopped” over the last two obstacles.

• The dog’s toenails were very long on both fore and hind limbs. The owner was aware of this and was working on it. For more information about the effect of toenails of the dog’s posture and gait, please see http://www.fullstride.com.au/blog/do-i-need-to-trim-my-dogs-nails

On palpation I found the following:

• Muscle spasm in the thoracic vertebrae at the insertion of the trapezius.

• Muscle spasm along the caudal aspect of the right hind limb from the thigh, through the stifle to the foot. The muscle spasm was seen when I palpated the sacrum area.

• Sensitivity to touch in the second digit of the right hind limb.

• Reluctance to move the right hock through its range of motion. The joint did not feel well lubricated.

Plan

Based on the owner and my observations along with a physical examination of the dog, the primary focus of the treatment plan was to address the sensitivity in the dog’s right hind paw. Secondary considerations were to relieve compensatory muscle tension in the thoracic spine area and the left forelimb.

Treatment

On the right hind limb, I focussed the massage on the tendons of the superficial digital flexor to relieve the painful muscle spasm. This muscle originates at the femur and inserts at the hock and base of phalanges 2, 3, 4, 5. It’s role is to flex the stifle and extend the tarsus joints. Once the spasm was relieved, I massaged the whole muscle to draw nutrients and oxygen to the muscle, restore normal muscle tone and clear metabolic waste from the muscle.

When the strained muscle was treated, I focussed on relieving general muscle tension in the other muscles of the back leg and lumbar area. To restore normal function in the leg, I worked the hind limb joints including the tarsus, metatarsus and phalanges through their full range of motion.

The treatment also addressed compensatory muscle tension specifically in the thoracic spine area and the left forelimb, shoulder and neck.

Takeaway messages for dog owners

This case reminded me of two important considerations with dogs.

Firstly, watching and touching our dogs regularly helps us to detect subtle changes in their demeanour, movement or behaviour which could be the sign of a health issue. Because this dog’s owner is working with the dog daily and “in tune” with how the dog moves and acts in particular situations, she was able to address the health problem while it was relatively minor.

Secondly, when a dog is not moving normally, we often focus our attention on the major joints like the hips, shoulders, stifle and elbows. While most of the power and musculature surrounds these large joints, the dog’s paws and lower limb joints are very important in their movement. They should not overlooked when considering causes for deviation in movement.

Has your agility dog’s jumping behaviour changed? Have you considered a soft tissue injury in their foot? Full Stride provides canine massage and remedial exercise therapy for all dogs. To find out how a massage treatment may benefit your dog please contact me.

I respond to all enquiries within 24 hours. If you haven’t heard from me, please check your Bulk Mail folder or give me a call on 0439661925.