Entries Tagged 'Dog Health' ↓

Paws for Health of Virginia is a new service based in the Chesterfield/Midlothian area of Virginia.  Offer your dog the same benefits that humans get with massage.  Canine massage is a safe, effective way to help your dog live a healthier life.  Massage is great for improving circulation, reducing pain, and promoting overall health and well being.  Massage is especially helpful for dogs with hip and elbow dysplasia.  Services include introductory massages, full body massages, and massage for sick, injured, or elderly dogs.

In this blog, we’ll look at some tips that can help your dog lead a happier, healthier life.  Take a look at the massage video posted here at www.caninegames.com for massages you can do at home.  It will get you started on helping your pet feel their best.

Remember, although massage is a safe and gentle procedure, it is never a substitute for regular veterinary care.  You should always consult with your vet before using any treatment he or she is not aware of.  Verify with the vet that your pet doesn’t have any condition that massage might make worse.  Always offer your dog clean fresh water after a massage.  This helps flush out toxins and other waste from your dog’s muscles.  Also, massage is a useful addition to veterinary care, not a substitute. Always keep your vet informed about any outside treatments.

For more information, see the contact information below:

Stephanie Whitehead

Canine Massage Therapist
Paws for Health of Virginia, LLC
9947 Hull Street Road
Suite 244
Richmond, VA  23236
pawsforhealthofva@yahoo.com
804-986-4675

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After a day of strenuous work or play, give your dog a cool-down massage. 

It will be pretty much the same as your warm-up massage with three differences.  First, you want a little bit firmer pressure than you used for the warm-up massage.  Where you wanted to wake up the muscles with the warm-up, the cool-down massage helps the blood to move wastes out of the muscles to where they can be eliminated. 
 
You also want your movements to be slower and more fluidly connected.  This helps to relax tense muscles and calm your dog.  Again, use the strokes you did for the warm-up, but make them longer, a bit heavier pressure, and slower.
 
Third, although you will still use an open palm, you want to turn your hands around.  Where you were stroking down the body with your palm leading your fingers in the warm-up massage, now you want your fingers to lead.  This feels like a pushing motion and that’s what you’re doing, helping to push toxins and blood through the muscles.  This helps blood flow assist the body in removing toxins like lactic acid from the muscles. 
 
As with the warm-up routine, you’re using the same pattern.  Down the spine from the crown to rump, around the jaws, and over the snout.  Repeat this sequence three or four time or for between five and ten minutes.  Just slow it down and make the strokes longer and firmer.  Note any tension or “flinching” responses from your dog.  These are areas that may need a bit longer massage or even heat or ice therapy.  If your dog shows marked flinching, check with your vet to make sure it isn’t a pulled muscle.  Check the paws, too, for any injuries.  After the massage, offer your pet clean, fresh water.
 
Contact Information:
 
Stephanie Whitehead
Paws for Health of Virginia, LLC
9947 Hull Street Road, Suite 244
Richmond, VA  23236
804-986-4675
pawsforhealthofva@yahoo.com
 

Remember, although massage is a safe and gentle procedure, you should always consult with your vet before using any treatment he or she is not aware of.  Verify with the vet that your pet doesn’t have any condition that massage might make worse.  Always offer your dog clean fresh water after a massage.  This helps flush out toxins and other waste from your dog’s muscles.  Also, massage is a useful addition to veterinary care, not a substitute.  Always keep your vet informed about any outside treatments.

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Your dog can benefit from a warm-up massage before play or exercise just like you can.

You want to use an open palm.  Start with a brisk, light rub down from the crown of your dog’s head to the rump.  You want to use light, even strokes, one after the other.  Keep your hands loose and open and use a brushing stroke, one hand after the other, with your palm leading.  You don’t want to use a lot of pressure here; just enough to better stimulate the blood flow.

Use the tips of your fingers to gently massage the large muscles of the jaw.  Trace lightly over the snout and top of the head again, repeating the open-handed brushing strokes.  Repeat this stroke routine about three or four times in it’s entirety.
 
Do a light massage on the large muscle groups down the legs by using your thumbs to trace small, even circles across the entire muscle.  Be careful not to apply a lot of pressure.  You are looking to get the blood flow to the muscles, not to do deep relaxation.  Blood flow helps the muscles work better, move better, and be more flexible.  This helps your dog avoid injury and minimize soreness after a strenuous day.
 
Keep your massages short, between five and ten minutes.  Offer fresh water and a bathroom break afterwards, then enjoy your day.
 
Contact Information:
 
Stephanie Whitehead
Paws for Health of Virginia, LLC
9947 Hull Street Road, Suite 244
Richmond, VA  23236
804-986-4675
pawsforhealthofva@yahoo.com

Remember, although massage is a safe and gentle procedure, you should always consult with your vet before using any treatment he or she is not aware of. Verify with the vet that your pet doesn’t have any condition that massage might make worse. Always offer your dog clean fresh water after a massage. This helps flush out toxins and other waste from your dog’s muscles. Also, massage is a useful addition to veterinary care, not a substitute. Always keep your vet informed about any outside treatments.

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