ABOUT ANIMAL OSTEOPATHY

If your dog is recovering from an injury, if you notice any sign of pain, discomfort or a change in their behaviour. We see animals that have a variety of different issues and medical conditions. We also see dogs as a preventive approach for a general check and provide proactive measures to reduce the risk of injuries. There is no issue too big or small that we can’t help with. If you are still unsure, then you are always able to email me at justine.garnes.osteopath@gmail.com for more specific advice.

Osteopathic treatment aims to reduce pain, increase physical mobility, and improve the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids. This hands-on treatment method involves : joint mobilisation, myofascial release, soft tissue techniques, functional technique, strain-counterstrain technique, lymphatic treatment, visceral (organ) manipulation and cranio-sacral therapy. VetLaser can be used for sensitive, acute and inflammed areas that are sore to touch for the animal. Dry Needling is also another tool that may be used for more chronic, long term issues.

Referral from your vet is required, we cannot treat your pet without one.

Case history notes and reports from X-rays, CT's or surgeries are also recommended.

Animal Osteopathy and Veterinary care complement each other well. It is important to let your vet know you wish to use animal osteopathy in the preventative care of your pet to ensure there are no contraindications for osteopathic treatment.

A history of your dog will be taken as a starting point to the diagnostic approach. Then we will observe your pet while walking, running and performing a series of turns. This is followed by a clinical and physical examination in order to have an overall view of your animal’s state of health. The osteopathic diagnosis will carry out a complete check-up of your pet by manual tests aimed at determining the root cause of the issue and the adaptations and compensations of the body. The osteopathic dysfunctions will be treated by manual techniques that allow the body to find its way back to normal health and a state of balance.

This can vary depending on the history, condition and age of your pet. An annual check-up is recommended as a preventive approach to maintain the body in an optimal state and reduce the risk of injury. Osteopathy in pre-competition period and post competition recovery helps your animal to optimise their performance, achieve better results, and to prevent injuries from occurring. Osteopathic treatments for young dogs are advised every 3 to 6 months, as they will evolve and undergo various morphological changes during growth. Elderly dogs often need frequent regular treatments to help improve their mobility and combat stiffness. Osteopathy is also an effective tool to manage chronic conditions. Regular treatments may help to relief pain, ease swelling and improve mobility and physical functions. Chronic pain makes daily life extremely difficult, but some strategies may be beneficial. We are happy to discuss the best management for your dog during the session.

Yes, we work with many animals who are reactive. Some dogs can be more relaxed as it is out of a hospital environment, and we aim work within your pet’s comfort levels. Sometimes this means we are not able to assess absolutely everything, and it may take several sessions for the dog to be more comfortable with handling.

We try to avoid using muzzles, however if you have one for your dog feel free to bring it to the appointment. Dogs are awake throughout the session, and we do not use any sedatives.

Treatments start a healing response that triggers changes to occur within the dogs body. Any onset of symptoms or an increase in pain is referred to as the “rebound effect” or “healing crisis”. This can often be quite a tiring experience and some dogs can feel soreness for a day or so after an osteopathic treatment; it is often an indication of increased circulation and removal of toxins. For this reason it is recommended that the dog should be rested after the treatment for 24-48 hours followed by a gradual return to normal activity. The results of a treatment are seen after a few days or weeks depending the body’s ability to adapt these changes. Exercises and stretches may be recommended to do in order to speed up recovery.