SPORTING DOGS
Any human athlete would include regular physical therapies with specific nutrition and a regimented training schedule to keep them in peak condition to perform at their best and your dog should be no different.
Active and competitive dogs could include those regularly performing agility, fly ball or obedience, gun dogs, working dogs and greyhounds as well as those who regularly run with their owners or chase the ball for lengthy periods at the park.
Can dogs get muscle injuries?
Regular strenuous exercise is likely to have repetitive movements such as quick turns, often in the same direction, fast acceleration/sudden changes of pace, jumping, uneven ground and so on. This can either result in an acute injury such as a muscle strain or ligament sprain or chronic injury from repeated low grade stresses.
Any injuries should be checked by your vet but it is good practice to get regular health checks for your active dog to ensure he's not at risk of severe injury. Older dogs particularly do not recover so well as they age and many dogs love their exercise so much they don't have an 'off' switch and will easily over-exert themselves.
Adequate warm up can prevent injury
We recommend dogs receive adequate warm up before exercise - this means not straight out of the car and chasing the ball but perhaps something as simple as a brisk walk first. Warming up your dogs muscles gently will prevent muscle strains. Without adequate warm up there is a greater chance of injury and scar tissue formation, resulting in decreased flexibility and range of motion and a higher likelihood of reinjury in the same or adjacent areas.
Massage for canine sports injuries
Canine remedial massage can support active dogs to prevent injury by maintaining muscle and joint health. In the event of an injury, massage will increase blood flow and speed up recovery by reducing local swelling and resulting stiffness.
Massage treatments will also treat any tightness in compensating muscles which may occur due to limping or an altered gait.
All injuries and signs of pain or limping should be assessed first by your vet as Poochie Mama Canine Care does not diagnose or prescribe medications which may be necessary to your dog's recovery. Once that's done, please contact us to enquire about bookings.