This week we’re looking at subtle indicators of pain associated with posture. Last week I mentioned Amy who owns the doggy day care, boarding and grooming business and the client she helped. Well, the indicator she discussed with her client would fall under posture. The dog who was being groomed had major fur changes / swirling patterns and fur loss over one of their hind limbs. Amy also noticed a huge area on the body that twitched when being brushed.
So where gait looks at how the body moves, posture looks at how the body is built/formed / as a whole.
Hang on though before we get into the nitty gritty, I need to talk about Norm! as I forgot to talk about Norm last week. When I say Norm I’m referring to what is normal ‘Norm’ for your dog. Has your dog always walked like that? Have they always sat like that? During the consultation process, this is where we ask our guardians to think back to when they started to see things change. In a positive light, once we have a norm, new norm or old norm we can use this as a baseline to monitor improvement.
Back to the detail…..this week there are 9 areas for you to keep an eye out for:
- Coat Changes. Fur sticking up, swirly pattern, different texture. These patterns generally follow the shape of the muscle/area being affected.
- Roaching (Kyphosis) / swayback (Lordosis). The spine around the lumbar region is arched/curved (think cat!) up or dipped/curved down.
- Twitching / Shivery Skin. When you stroke your dog do they flinch/skin shiver or twitch at any point? Do they have a Tickly spot? Tickly spots are BAD! Very bad. Do not encourage/scratch a tickly spot – it is very painful for a dog. Make a note where you ’tickle’ and where the response is – we can then try and work out what is going on.
- Inexplicable Tremors. These are involuntary rhythmic repetitive muscle movements and can be rapid or slow. Also, think of spasms too.
- Tail Carriage. The tail should be moving freely and easily. Does the tail hang limp? (i.e. Swimmers/limber tail); Is the tail being held firmly against the back legs?; does it wag to one side more than the other, rather than equally? Is the tail being held to one side more than the other?
- Neck / Back/ Shoulder issues. Does your dog sit/stand leaning forward or shift weight back? Can they move their head easily from side to side? Is their head down or high up? Does their head bob up and down when they walk?
- Uneven nail wear. Demonstrates unbalanced weight bearing.
- Hip or Stifle rotation. Sits or stands with ‘knee’ pointing out. Does your dog sit like a puppy?
- Down on the wrist. Also known as carpal extension, where there is a noticeable bend in the wrist and the forelimbs lower into an abnormally flattened position. Similarly, down on the hock, where the hindlimb from the point of the hock is in an abnormally flattened position.
Photo, photo photo. We all love to take a photo of our dogs, which again another great tool to aid your vet or canine professional. And means you get a visual record of progress from puppyhood.
Yeah, get snapping away! Bliss
Always remember, dogs in pain will still run, jump and play because that’s what they do!
Oh and don’t forget, Norm!!!
P.S. Think any changes in posture or the body’s ‘condition’, no matter how small or insignificant could be an indicator of pain. Notice those changes, act upon them and don’t delay – small niggles have the habit of turning into bigger issues.
P.P.S. These indicators act as a guide to help you identify symptoms of musculoskeletal conditions that could be helped by Clinical Canine Massage but it is important to remember that some of these symptoms may cross over with other diseases/issues that are not of musculoskeletal origin. Therefore, it is really important to seek a diagnosis from a vet – as Clinical Canine Massage Therapists do not diagnose.
P.P.P.S. Preventative not reactive is our new mantra!
Namaste
Lou xx