AZcaninerehab - Dog Rehabilitation serving Phoenix, Scottsdale, and the North Valley
Connect:
  • Home
  • Philosophy
  • Why Rehab
  • Conditions Treated
  • Services
  • FAQ
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Store
  • Contact

The Benefits of Exercise and Fitness for the Retired K9 Athlete

8/19/2016

 
Sooner or later, it happens to everyone’s performance dog - Retirement. While it is the end of your canine athlete's competitive career, it  doesn't have to be the end of your dog’s life as a partner in training. And it certainly shouldn't mean that your former athlete should be relegated to the couch to sleep away her remaining days while you and the younger dogs enjoy the sports she once enjoyed. In fact, it's just the opposite! Your retired athlete should hit the “gym” regularly to stay fit and enjoy her retirement. Read on to understand how exercise helps slow the overall aging process and keep your dog young.
Brain powerWorking out, balance exercises in particular, help your dog’s brain continue to function at peak levels and slows the onset of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, or signs of senility. Balance work is like a crossword puzzle for the brain and body to figure out.
Stay happyIs your K9 retiree bored or depressed because you and the young “pups” are out there and she’s just watching or stuck at home? Exercise for your dog is a proven mood booster! Staying active causes the release of “feel good” hormones to help keep your K9 athlete happy and feel confident in life.  
Slow/stop muscle wastingJust as in people, as part of the aging process, your retiree will gradually lose muscle mass and strength. This sarcopenia is a generalized muscle wasting that occurs in nearly every dog but will be more evident in a former athlete. Unless you actively fight against it.
Improve mobilityConsistent exercise, that is low impact, can help reduce mild achiness and discomfort. Flexibility exercises can help reduce stiffness and maintain full movement in joints and muscles.
Stay ConnectedThe single best reason to exercise with your former athlete, though, is to maintain the level of interaction with your dog. When the time comes for your younger dog to be the primary working partner, your retired athlete will miss the frequent training and close interaction that the two of you enjoyed together. The partnership and level of communication you shared doesn't have to end. You can enjoy each other and still train together in canine fitness!

Heat Stress in our K9 Partners

7/15/2016

 
Picture
High drive canine athletes are at risk for suffering the effects of heat stress during training and competition. Studies show that some working dogs and k9 athletes can have body temperatures that are extremely high during strenuous activity (reported temperature values include Greyhounds 104 F - 106 F, Labradors 102 F - 107 F, Pointers 103 F - 106 F, and Sled Dogs 104 F - 108 F.) Interestingly, these dogs do not necessarily show any clinical signs of heatstroke or heat exhaustion. But other k9 athletes remain susceptible. Although the incidence of heat stress and heat stroke in K9 athletes has not been determined, we do know that several factors can increase your dog's risk. And we know that intervening during the early signs of heat stress can prevent heat stroke completely.

How hot is too hot?It is not just extremely high temperatures that puts your dog at risk but also combinations of high temperatures and high humidity. A handy reference is to add the ambient temperature with the humidity percentage to get an idea of whether or not it is safe for your dog. For example, if the afternoon temperature is 95 F and the humidity is at 70%, you get a combined number of 165. Any number over 150 indicates you should pay close attention to your dog as there is a danger of heat stress. Any number over 180 and your dog is at high risk for heat stroke. Monitor your dog closely when conditions are prime for heat stress.

What are my dog’s Risk factors?- Prior incidence of heat stress or heat stroke
- Stress
- Dehydration
- Improper athletic conditioning

What should I watch for? The earliest signs of heat stress are:
- Excessive Panting
- Thick Saliva with a dry tacky mouth
- Dark pink/red tongue lolling out of mouth
- Decreased performance
And if I miss the early signs?  As heat stress progresses to heat exhaustion, you will see:
- Increased heart rate
- Excessive panting continues
- Body temperature continued rising above 102 F.
- Disorientation (no longer responding to cues, appearing anxious, or staring)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea

What can I do to prepare my k9 athlete to compete in excessive heat?While we are still determining what normal is for many k9 athletes during activity, we do know that a properly conditioned and fit k9 athlete has physiologic and metabolic differences from the companion dog. Conditioning should occur months prior to competition in strenuous sports to ensure that your dog’s body is at its peak ability to accommodate the environment during the exercise.

Key points to remember:
- Stay hydrated (but avoid drinking too much) - rule of thumb 1.5 oz per 10 pounds of body weight before and after strenuous exercise.
- Reduce stress.
- Begin Fitness and conditioning months prior to competition.
- Monitor your dog closely when conditions are prime for heat stress.
- Seek veterinary care for heat exhaustion immediately.

References:
Conditioning and Training in the Canine Athlete
Robert L. Gillette, DVM, MSE, DACVSMR
Animal Health & Performance Program, Auburn University, AL
Heat stroke: diagnosis and treatment
Quick response, proper cool-down techniques essential to favorable outcome
Melissa Marshall, DVM, Dipl. ACVECC   Aug 01, 2008
Heat Stress in Hunting Dogs
by Delores E. Gockowski, DVM


5 Ways to Increase Your Dog's Back End Strength

11/16/2015

 
The question I get most often is how to build muscle in the back end of your dog. Wasting of the muscles in the back legs is common as a result of injury, disease, or arthritis. As your dog ages, muscle loss is typical unless you are actively working to prevent it. So today's message is 5 simple ways to prevent muscle loss in your dog's back end.
 
1. Start by sitting.
As odd as this sounds, to build muscle, your dog must sit. That's right. I said, sit. Teach your dog to sit properly with the back legs flexed and your dog's body weight balanced equally in a proper, symmetrical tucked sit.
 
2. Stand up.
Now that your dog is able to sit properly, teach your dog to stand from that sit. The goal here is to use the hind limb muscles, not the upper body. Practice having your dog sit in front of you and then stand, but without you moving.
 
3. Back up.
 Not back up to the previous step, but literally back up. Teach your dog to back up. The goal here is to have your dog walk backwards with nice, even strides and without arching his back. Try it by having your dog walk between the couch and the coffee table. Now walk into him and ask him to move back to get out of your way.
 
4. Step up.
 Ask your dog to step up. Step up onto the bottom stair. Step up onto the footstool. Step up onto just about anything. Front feet only though. Then hold that position for 15 seconds. Repeat 3-5 times.
 
5. Walk uphill.
So, find a hill, a ramp, an incline of some sort and walk up it! The steeper the hill, the harder the back leg muscles must work. Now, do it again! And again!

5 Ways to Keep Your Dog Busy While on Crate Rest

9/11/2015

 
One of the things that strikes fear in most dog owners is hearing the phrase "crate rest."  We may try to fancy it up and say "bed rest", or "limited activity" in an effort to avoid that look of dread that spreads across the owner's face. (Or sometimes the look is more incredulous, saying "you gotta be kidding me, Doc!" without actually saying it.) Either way, it comes across loud and clear that your dog has NO intentions of resting.   So what can we do to keep our canine buddies occupied while still following doctor's orders? That's the tricky part! Below are a few tips and tricks I tell my rehab patients when they are not allowed to do much movement.

1. Puzzles. Interactive toys come in a variety of types and styles and different levels of challenge.Hide the treat inside and watch Fido figure out how to get the treat out.

2. Hollywood tricks! With her dog on strict bed rest and being immobilized, I had one pet parent taught her dog to smile, lick his lips, and flick his ear to hand signals. These Hollywood style tricks can really give your dog something to do when he can't move much. Think of your dog practicing to star in his own dog food commercial! "This food is so tasty!" Lip lick and smile! 

3. Nose work. Nose work or scent work involves your dog using his sense of smell to "find" the treat or correct scent. You can "hide" it in your hands or under a cup. Your dog doesn't need to even stand up for this one. And just think! When your dog is off bed rest he could work for the Drug Enforcement Agency or be able to detect cancer!

4. Targeting. Teach Rover to target on different objects or touch. This can be a nose touch or a paw touch depending on how restricted your dog's activity level is.

5. Physical rehabilitation. This one is my favorite! I find that rehab itself is a great way to help keep dogs entertained while waiting to return to the activities they love to do. Learning and practicing the therapeutic exercises in physical rehabilitation, especially the balance exercises and body awareness exercises, can really help give a dog something to do.



Back End Awareness - Does your dog have it?

3/12/2015

 
Does your dog know he has a back end? Or more accurately, does your pooch know that he controls those back feet and they don't just follow the front like a caboose on a train? All too often, I find that the dogs that come to my office have overall poor awareness of their back ends. Some know they have a back end but seem surprised when the back feet do something independently of the front. Others can't seem to get their back feet to move independently at all. And still others, are like the proverbial bull in a china shop, with little awareness of their entire body, front, back and everything in between!  Admittedly, any dog in my rehab program that is being treated for a hip, stifle, or hock joint issue IS going to have altered body awareness in that leg(s) because of the joint issue. We know that an injury to the knee, for example a cruciate ligament tear, disrupts the normal function of the mechanoreceptors and joint receptors that are involved in telling the brain where that leg is in relation to the rest of the dog's body and the environment. But that's not to say that these guys get a free pass because they have an injury. Just the opposite! These dogs need proprioceptively enriched exercises to encourage proper functioning of these receptors again. Okay, big fancy words, for these guys better have some balance, coordination, and body awareness exercises in their rehab program! What about those dogs that don't have an injury? All the canine athletes, amateur and professional, weekend warriors included, need to have great control over their bodies and feet to prevent injuries, injury that can occur in daily life as well as canine sports. Injury prevention not sexy enough for you? How about the concept of recovery. Ever slip or stumble on something and be able to pull yourself out of it without falling? That's what I'm talking about. I want your dog to be able to recover from a potential disaster and walk away with you saying "Nice save." instead of "That's going to hurt later."

Gratitude and Blessings

11/18/2014

2 Comments

 
I want to take this opportunity, with Thanksgiving fast approaching, to reflect upon the many blessings I have. I encourage you to reflect upon what you have in your life to be thankful for as well.
First of all, I am grateful for the many dogs (and occasionally a cat or two) that I have crossed paths with mine over the year. I have a large extended canine family, with dogs of all shapes and sizes. Each pet is like my favorite niece or nephew coming to visit Auntie Sonnet. I thoroughly enjoy each and every one's personality, their likes and dislikes, and the  talents each one possesses. What an amazing opportunity for me to get to know so many canine souls on a more personal level. 

I am extremely grateful for all the people that come attached to these pets as well. Since I have yet to have a dog drive himself here, I have had an amazing opportunity to meet many wonderful dog lovers, and even a few cat lovers too! The level of commitment, the strength of the human-animal bond, and the depths of true love continue to astound me. It attests to the fact that there is still benevolence in the human soul and reconfirms my belief in mankind. I am proud to call myself a member, then, of the human race because of the likes of you, my clients.
 

When I review my day, my week, and my month, I want to express how truly blessed I feel to be where I am. Five years ago, ten years ago, fifteen years ago, I could not have ever pictured myself spending my days helping others improve the quality of life of their furry family through proper diet, exercise, rehabilitation,  and more. I did not envision myself as a Canine Fitness Coach, or attending business meetings to discuss teaching fitness seminars, or training others in the field of rehabilitation and canine fitness. And yet, here I am. What can I say? I am living my dream! 

So, as Thanksgiving approaches, I give thanks for all the blessings I have. And I wish you many blessings and the chance to live your dream too!

2 Comments

5 Reasons Your Dog in a Wheelchair Needs Physical Therapy

9/26/2014

2 Comments

 
Wheelchairs, or carts, are becoming more and more common for dogs. Many dogs are living happy, active lives with the aid of these wheelchairs. The internet is full of pictures and videos of dogs playing, going for walks, and frolicking at the beach in their wheelchairs. I receive frequent phone calls and emails about wheelchairs for dogs. While I'm glad that society now accepts and understands that many dogs can be very happy and enjoy a good quality of life with a wheelchair, I want to remind people that these dogs need to be in a physical rehabilitation program too. The reasons are numerous as to why, but here are the top 5 reasons your dog in a wheelchair needs physical therapy.

1. Your dog might walk again. If there is any chance your dog could regain use of his legs and become mobile without a wheelchair, you owe it to your dog to try. A solid rehab program will provide the kind of therapy that just might get your dog out of that chair!

2. Your dog has other orthopedic or neurologic problems . If your dog is paralyzed in the back end and has bad joints or weakness in the front end or some such other issue, you are in for some trouble ahead. Rehab can help manage the other problems so your dog can stay mobile, with what he has, for as long as possible.

3. Your dog is overweight. An overweight dog in a cart is like a time bomb waiting to go off. It's not a matter of if there is going to be a problem, but when there is a problem. A rehab vet will help your dog lose the body fat without sacrificing much needed muscle.

4. Your dog doesn't have a "back-up". A dog with four legs can handle having an issue with one leg and still be mobile. A dog in a cart doesn't have as many options. If your dog in a cart experiences a problem with one of its "good" legs it can completely immobilize your dog. Prevention and early detection are crucial in these dogs.

5. Your dog is compensating. This is the biggest and best reason of all. All dogs in carts are using their bodies in ways other than what they are designed for. For instance, the front legs, neck, and shoulders are all compensating in a dog that is in a rear wheel cart. The upper back is under strain. There is less flexibility. Different muscles are activated during movement and while standing. Rehab will address these compensations and help prevent them from becoming disabling problems.




2 Comments

Study Proves Exercise helps Dogs Lose Weight!

9/2/2014

 
Picture
Previously we discussed how excess body fat shortens lives. We also talked about risk factors for your dog becoming overweight and why your vet may not discuss this issue with you. Today we talk about one part of the solution to this deadly disease: exercise.

The study I am referring to was presented recently at the Rehabilitation Medicine conference that I attended a few weeks ago. There are several important points to consider with this study. Two groups of dogs were placed on diets using the same food. Each dog had a body fat analysis done using a DEXA scan which details the exact amount of fat versus lean body mass in the body. One group of dogs were additionally started on an exercise regime. This was a prescribed amount of exercise, not just playing ball or walking around the block. Think hitting the gym with a specific workout including the treadmill. Here's what the study showed.

1. Both groups of dogs lost weight according to the scale. Both groups dropped pounds. Success! But wait, there's more to the story. Reducing calories alone did lead to successful weight loss, but about 10% of the weight lost came from muscle in the group that didn't exercise. They lost both fat and lean body mass. Hmmm. That wasn't the goal. We want your dog to lose fat and retain muscle and strength. Ten percent muscle mass lost may not seem like much to you but that can mean the difference in your dog being able to get up on his own. Ten percent matters. So success, sorta.

2. The dogs that exercised lost more body fat.  Both groups lost about the same amount of weight overall. The dogs that exercised lost more body fat according to the DEX scan though. Increasing the need to burn those calories as fuel for exercise helps the body utilize fat, which is stored calories. Burn more, lose more. Brilliant!

3. The dogs that exercised gained muscle. This is my favorite part of the study. These dogs actually gained muscle! Functional, wonderfully helpful, stabilizing, working muscle! Wow!  How great is it that these guys lost unhealthy fat and acquired muscle?This is the goal of every diet on the planet! Gain muscle, lose fat!

The take home point here should be this: cutting calories alone will lower the number on the scales, but reducing calories and exercising is a smarter, better, more efficient way to achieve fat loss.


Is Your Dog at Risk to Become Fat?

8/19/2014

 
Picture
Will your dog get fat? Is your dog at risk? In my last few blogs, I discussed this deadly disease that could be affecting your dog or your neighbor's dog. We talked about how your dog may be fat but that your vet may not tell you. Knowing that more than 50% of dogs are overweight, Let's look at 7  risk factors that increase the chances that your dog might get fat and not your neighbor's dog.

1. Your dog is spayed or neutered. Your dog's risk doubles with the removal of the sex hormones.

2. Your dog is getting older. Yes, you read that right. As your dog gets older, the risk goes up. But you don't have a lot of options here.

3. Your dog was a chubby puppy. Although pudgy pups are cute, they become overweight adults. Not so cute.

4. Your dog has access to food 24/7. Most dogs don't stop eating when they are full. They stop when the food is gone.

5. Your dog eats lots of processed treats. Just as in people, its easy to take in lots of empty calories quickly when eating tasty processed snacks like dog biscuits, imitation pepperoni or bacon treats, or worse yet, chips and crackers! Okay, I don't know many people who eat dog biscuits, but you get what I'm trying to say here.

6. Your dog is a couch potato. Lack of exercise means the metabolism is going to be slow and not many calories will be burned. Its easy to eat more than you burn if you don't move much. Plus lots of other good stuff that promotes fat loss happens when your dog exercises.

7. Your dog eats a diet high in carbohydrates. Excess carbohydrates gets stored as fat. Combine a diet high in carbohydrates with little to no exercise and you've got a recipe for obesity.

If you want to keep your dog from getting fat, then lower your dog's risk factors. You have control over several of them. Do right by your dog. As they say, be the person your dog thinks you are.

Is your dog fat? Why your vet may not tell you.

7/31/2014

 
Picture
"Your dog is fat." are words you may never hear from your veterinarian. This would be great if it was because dog is indeed not fat. If only that were truly the case. Unfortunately we know that there is greater than a  50% chance that your dog IS fat, but your vet may not tell you anyway.

Although over-nutrition is the number one nutritional disease in America now for dogs and cats, and although dogs that are overweight by even a small amount have a documented shortened life span of nearly 2 years, your vet may not want to tell you. Despite the increased risk of cancer, heart and lung disease, diabetes, arthritis, and more, you may be hard pressed to find a veterinarian who will diagnose this deadly disease in your pooch.

Why? you ask. Why wouldn't your family vet tell you if your furbaby is at risk? Why wouldn't she alert you to this deadly but preventable, even treatable condition?

Having spent many years in family practice, I see several reasons why your vet doesn't want to tell you.

1. You take it personally. Let's face it, if you are overweight, your dog tends to be overweight.We veterinarians are typically quite sensitive to how others feel. We don't want you to feel bad about your heavy pup or yourself. Besides, any vet who speaks up about overweight dogs has probably irritated some pet parents along the way. We don't want you to stop coming to see us. So, we quietly sit by and let you slowly kill your dog. We may make little comments about how Fido seems fluffy, or well-fed, but we don't dare use the other "F" word (fat.)

2. You don't care. This is likely the most frustrating reason for us veterinarians. Your dog has a completely preventable and treatable condition that doesn't require expensive testing or medication and you refuse to believe its a problem. It's the "He's fat and happy, doc." explanation. Really? I will agree with the "He's fat" part but happy? He may happily devour his food but will he enjoy having daily insulin injections for diabetes? Will he be happy living nearly two years less? Is he happy being too heavy to run and play? Is eating the only activity he has the ability to enjoy?


3. Size matters to you. This is more for those owners of large and giant breeds. I find that those who own Mastiffs, St. Bernards, etc like the shock value in telling people how much their dog weighs. Disregard the fact that 30 of those 180 pounds are sheer fat! It's the number that matters to these dog owners. They may say things like "His dad weighed 200, as an explanation of why their fully grown dog gained 25 pounds (of fat) last year. Was Dad fat too, I have to wonder? If your goal in life is to seek attention through your dog, then try getting you dog in physically fantastic shape  Imagine the gasps of wonder when you have a 150 pound beast with rippling muscles!


4. Your vet doesn't recognize it. This one is becoming less and less common, but it still exists. Some vets just don't notice a mildly overweight pup. Its hard to miss the morbidly obese ones, but research proves that even a little extra body fat can have detrimental effects on your dog's health. Its that slow weight gain that sneaks up on you and many vets may miss this at your dog's exam if they are looking for it closely.

5. Your vet doesn't know what to do about it (or have the time to teach you.) We all know to lose weight you must cut calories and increase exercise. But how many calories should your dog eat? How much exercise? Is walking enough? (For the record, no.) Which food is best to help your dog lose weight? Do you have to worry about depriving him of nutrients? Won't he lose muscle too? Even if your vet knows the answers to these questions, your vet may not have the time to go over every detail of your pet's nutrition with you. Your vet is busy and so you are given the standard "cut calories, and walk him more" advise.


6. Your vet has given up on you. Your vet has told you every year that your dog is overweight and steadily gaining. She has warned you on the dangers. She has recommended foods and diets, and exercise plans. She has listened to your excuses and listened to you argue with your family members as to whose fault it is. What she has not heard is a commitment to change. And so she gave up on you. You may care about your dog, but not enough to do what matters. Your vet has decided that she has done everything she can. At some point in time, you as the pet parent must decide to do something that will help your dog live longer, better, and healthier. We can't do it for you.

The good news is that with expert guidance and a custom fitness plan, a healthy weight is a realistic goal for EVERY dog. And it can be done without depriving your dog of displays of your love! The fitness plan itself becomes a manifestation of your love for your best canine buddy! Call today to start showing the love!


 
















<<Previous
Forward>>
    Picture

    Dr. Sonnet Jarvis

    Contact:
    480.285.9848  drsonnet@azcaninerehab.com


    Categories

    All
    Cruciate Ligament Injury
    Geriatric/Senior Care
    Josh
    Nutrition
    Obesity
    Pain
    Rehabilitation
    Weight Management/Fitness

    RSS Feed

About Us
Dr. Sonnet's Blog
Online Store
Contact
Frequently Asked Questions
Client Testimonials
Fitness & Weight Management
Wheelchairs & Assistive Devices

New Patient Forms
Referring Veterinarians
Copyright © 2021 | Arizona Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation