Soothe those sore old bones
Chiropractic, massage treatments can improve an aging animal's quality of life
Getting old isn’t easy. If she could talk, Sakura just might tell you that.
What’s holding back the salt-andpepper-haired stunner from sharing her thoughts on the aging process? Well, she’s a dog.
Sakura is a 13-year-old Shiba Inu who has bright eyes, a bushy tail — and slightly stiff hips. When her owner takes her and her younger canine sibling out for their daily walks around their Chinatown neighbourhood, Sakura loves to sniff around and search for adventure — just not quite as enthusiastically as she once did.
“Musculoskeletal pain is more common in geriatric dogs,” says Dr. David Lane of Points East West Veterinary Services.
Lane says animals like Sakura that have been properly examined by a veterinarian and haven’t been found to have underlying health issues — or those recovering from an injury — can benefit greatly from chiropractic or massage treatments to help manage their discomfort.
“I see massage as being no different than antibiotics,” he says of the treatments.
“If they have a medical condition that’s likely to respond to that treatment, regardless of age or breed, then I prescribe it.”
The canine sports medicine specialist says the “adjunctive treatment” works best when it’s part of a larger overall care program.
“For some dogs, it’s the treatment they respond to the best, but for many, it works better when combined with other techniques such as chiropractic care,” he says.
And the best part? It’s largely risk free.
“In the hands of someone with appropriate training, it’s an extremely safe modality, so there are no restrictions on who can receive it.”
These were just a few factors that made Sakura the perfect pup for a booking with Marta Banat, owner of All Paws Massage in Mount Pleasant. The time had come for this senior to have a little hands-on relaxation.
Banat caters to dogs, cats and even horses. Appointments begin with a careful and thorough examination of your pet by using her hands to familiarize herself with the animal’s sensitivities.
“I try to pinpoint the areas of concern,” she said. “I’ll do range of motion checks to see where the restrictions are. And based on my palpation, I’ll work on the areas I’ve discovered are the most in need.”
According to Banat, all dogs can benefit from monthly bodywork, even if they aren’t exhibiting any signs of discomfort.
“I recommend people come to me before symptoms present,” she says. “If we can catch it really early on, it definitely slows down the aging process in terms of micro-injuries to muscles and it improves the joint longevity.”
So what are some of the most common indicators your dog or cat may be in need of a massage? According to Banat, the most noticeable sign is a change in behaviour.
“Let’s say your dog has always been friendly with other dogs. And let’s say, all of a sudden, they start getting grumpy with other dogs. Sometimes, people think it might be a training issue — and it might have to do with a behavioural issue — but I often tell people to go to their vet and get a checkup because a sudden behavioural change often points to pain or discomfort,” she says.
As for cats, Banat says it’s all about keeping an eye on their climbing. Because cats devote much of their day to sleeping, stretching and cleaning themselves, they’re often slower to show signs of discomfort than dogs.
“One of the most common changes an owner might miss is with a cat that normally jumps up on the furniture or onto elevated places — and no longer does so,” she says.
“That very often points to arthritis creeping in. Or maybe pain and stiffness.”
A 30-minute treatment with Banat costs $40, while a 60-minute treatment is $65. For those who can’t quite fit a monthly pet massage into their budget, Banat says they can focus on providing pats, rubs and scratches — with a purpose.
“Any bodywork that you can do is beneficial,” she says.
“For people who are on tight budgets, I often give them mini-tutorials to show them what they can do at home. I often tell them that any form of intentional touch — not just scratching them behind the ear — but really tuning into their body and gently stroking or attending to any areas that might be of concern, that goes a long way to reducing tension.”
Banat will be one of several exhibitors and vendors taking part in the annual Pet Lover Show in Abbotsford on Feb. 25-26. During the event, she’ll be available to chat with pet owners about at-home exercise, their pet’s body concerns and more.