Top to Tail Canine Massage

02/07/2024

For your itchy loved one if you have one 🐕 ❤️

🐾 Probiotics for 🐾

Did you know that topical can help prevent rashes in dogs, including but not limited to:

1️⃣ Hot Spots
2️⃣ Itchy Skin
3️⃣ Bacterial Rashes
4️⃣ Hair Loss
5️⃣ Allergic Dermatitis
6️⃣ Dandruff

Probiotics are ‘good’ bacteria that reduce the numbers of ‘bad’ bacteria that cause uncomfortable skin problems in pets.

Check out the full range of ‘spray on’ probiotics to improve the skin health of your pets on our website:

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02/05/2024

Bonnie enjoying life again 💜

Her story is shared with the kind permission of her owners.

01/05/2024

Bonnie's Story Part 3

As we continued on with her individually tailored programme towards recovery, Bonnie grew in strength and ability. She could now sit, stand well, walk and comfortably roll over onto her back.

With encouragement from her neurosurgeon, it was time to re introduce her to running and uneven ground. She was a bit wobbly at first but her enthusiasm was obvious! It was quite important at this stage not to do too much too soon and gradually increase the duration and quality of exertion.

Bonnie kept up her morale boosting swimming and gradually came off the double harness and then out of the buoyancy aid as she was strong enough to support herself. She also needed to re learn how to get in and out of ditches. We started with shallow ones and plenty of control and support getting in and out. It didn't take too long before she was in and out on her own.

Bonnie's journey was an intensive one. She continues on and there is nothing that she cannot do now. She has no wobbles and it is often remarked that you would never be able to guess what she has been through.

Pic 1 Completely upright and balanced
Pic 2 single sling in the water
Pic 3 first roll over
Pic 4 standing well and waiting for me to arrive
Pic 5 the first time without her buoyancy aid

29/04/2024

Bonnie’s Story Part 2

As Bonnie became a little bit stronger, we saw her starting to hold her upper body upright but her back legs were still not very usuable. She was very brave but seemed very sad at what had happened to her.

With permission from her neurosurgeon and with all her wounds closed, we thought that the water would help lift her spirits. It would also allow her to have some weightless leg movement.

So down to the Holy Loch we went. She was carried to the water, had a buoyancy aid and double harness for safety. It was a very short dip but her spirit really came alive! It was the first time we saw her try to wag her tail. This became a regular feature of her sessions with me. Maybe you saw us in the Holy Loch?

We continued her massage and training to stand, to sit and to walk. Bonnie seemed to know that she really needed to make a big effort and we soon started to see her gains.

Pic 1 starting to hold her upper body upright
Pic 2 her 1st day in the Holy Loch
Pic 3 getting better with her back legs
Pic 4 the 1st day standing with just a little help

In Part 3, the final part of her story, I’ll tell you how her healing journey concluded.

28/04/2024

Bonnie's Story. Part 1.

Bonnie at 3 and a half years old was accidentally run over by a camper van. She sadly suffered a terrible spinal injury in her neck. Her owners were advised by several veterinary professionals that she had a slim chance of making a recovery from the surgery she underwent. The neurosurgeon who performed her operation was unable to say if she would recover but hoped that some form of recovery was possible for her.

After the surgery, a very poorly Bonnie was paralysed completely. She had no movement in her legs, body, or tail and couldn't even lift her head. She had to be turned regularly by her owners as she could not do it herself.

I met Bonnie about 2 weeks after her surgery. She was still unable to move and was in a double harness to be lifted so she could go to the toilet. A very sorry sight to see.

I started working with her, stimulating her skin and her nerves and gently massaging her muscles to keep them healthy. I talked to her during her treatments to reassure her and to explain what I was doing. I think this helped her owners too.

Gradually, she regained some movement in her legs and was starting to hold her head up. She was still very uncoordinated and needing the double harness to help her to go outside and go to the toilet.

We continued working together and with the progress she was making, we started to re teach her to stand and walk.

Follow her story in Part 2 tomorrow

27/04/2024

Who am I?

After working in public services, I trained as a yoga teacher, remedial massage therapist and Thai massage therapist and had been working with humans in that way for 9 years.

As a lifelong dog lover, I have volunteered with a number of dog specific charities like rescue centres and had a number of rescues as pets.

In early 2021, a local dog suffered a traumatic spinal injury and needed help but there was a lock down in place. Obtaining the required physical therapy treatment was not possible.

As a result of working with guidance from a veterinary neurosurgeon and animal physiotherapist, I was able assist this dog to full recovery.... and my interest in canine physical therapy was uncovered.

So I retrained and transferred my human skills and experience to dogs. I have an interest in canine rehabilitation from acute injury and I'm also a Canine Arthritis Management Advocate L1 😊

This is Bonnie, who started it all off and I'll tell you her full story next.

26/04/2024

As a Professional Canine Massage Therapist, the well-being of your dog is at the forefront of my mind. What does this mean exactly?

*I always work with the permission of your vet.

*I make notes and send a written report to your vet after treatment.
*If there is no improvement after 3 massage appointments I refer you back to your vet.

*I can support your dog with a maintenance treatment programme if it has chronic conditions, such as arthritis, hip/elbow dysplasia

*I undertake never to treat a dog that is unwilling to receive therapy that day.

*I undertake never to treat a dog unnecessarily.

I'm happy to chat about how I might be able to help you support the comfort, well-being and vitality of your dog, you can call, message or text me on 07309 258812.

24/04/2024

Top To Tail Canine Massage Therapy has moved!

The big move from Scotland back down to Devon has been completed.

I am looking forward to meeting and treating new dogs in Okehampton, North Tawton and the surrounding areas.

I’ll reintroduce myself on this page over the next coming days and what help I can offer your dog 🐕