A disabled dog or cat can cope more than well with a wheelchair. It gives you back mobility and you can regain your autonomy and physical form. See how to make a wheelchair by following the steps of this video.
Go get a pencil and take note!
A disabled dog or cat can cope more than well with a wheelchair. It gives you back mobility and you can regain your autonomy and physical form. See how to make a wheelchair by following the steps of this video.
Go get a pencil and take note!
This group of animals needs a series of daily attentions; small details that will significantly improve your quality of life and that you, as the owner, can provide.
First of all, it is very important for this group of animals to maintain good weight control. Avoiding being overweight reduces the stress on the joints and their pain. In addition, the appearance of secondary problems caused by excess weight is prevented.
Some advices:
ON THE STREET:
AT HOME:
* These basic tips are not applicable to all animals, nor to all pathologies equally. You should always consult your veterinarian.
Marta Subirats
Collaborating canine physiotherapist of Ortocanis
Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner by the University of Tennessee
On summer days, their wet tongue cools them down as much as it does our sweaty armpits . But luckily for the dogs, their tongues don’t actually sweat.
Animals with little hair on their bodies – such as humans, horses and some species of monkeys – cool down when sweat evaporates from their skin. For species with long hair, such as dogs, sweating would be like putting on a sodden coat. For this reason, dogs stick out their tongues and pant to cool down .
It takes energy, in the form of body heat, to evaporate fluid from the surface of the skin or tongue, explains Jack Boulant, a thermal physiologist at The Ohio State University , when heat evaporates moisture from the surface, the low body temperature .
After a few years, scientists have discovered that dogs’ internal thermostat, the thermoregulatory system, reacts to heat by pumping warm blood to the tongue, opening the salivary glands, and causing rapid, shallow breathing . As the warm air flows down the windpipe and tongue, it helps to evaporate moisture, which removes heat from the dog’s blood.
In addition to lowering body temperature, this process helps cool the brain . The blood circulates through the nose and tongue and reaches the brain cooler, which keeps the organ that regulates heat at a lower temperature than the rest of the body. The cooling system also works for short-nosed breeds, such as the Pekingese, which has a smaller muzzle and narrower air passages.
Any other refrigeration system in the animal world?
In fact, dogs aren’t the only animals that use clever tricks to cool off. The rats lick their bellies. Kangaroos, when resting, blow and lick their bodies, and jumping makes them stop sweating. And this may not sound very good, but storks relieve the heat by defecating on their long legs.
Source:Quo.es
Hip dysplasia is one of the most common mobility difficulties in dogs, especially large ones. At Ortocanis, we work every day to expand and improve our range of products for these types of problems, and we believe that any additional information is good. Here we leave you another interesting article.
At the University of León, a radiographic method has been developed for the early diagnosis of this disease with great emotional repercussions for owners.
Hip dysplasia is a very common disease in large and giant breeds of dogs, which consists of defective development of this joint.
In it, the two bones that form the joint, femur and pelvis, do not adapt correctly due to different biomechanical imbalances produced during the growth of the animal. It is a hereditary disease, so the main solution to eradicate it is to avoid breeding these animals, although it is also important to control factors such as nutrition, weight or overexertion of the puppy during its growth as well as consanguinity in selective breeding.
The symptoms presented by the animals vary according to the severity of the dysplasia, from a slight lameness to the total inability of the animal to lead a normal life.
The diagnosis of this disease is not easy, since there is no method that allows it to be determined in all cases. The method accepted in Spain for certificate purposes is radiographic, although it has the disadvantage that it must be carried out when growth has finished, that is, after twelve months for most breeds.
Early diagnosis can prevent transmission
The result of this research has been worrying, since 59.3% of the animals studied suffer from hip dysplasia in its different degrees, with 18.6% severe dysplasia. This high percentage should alert the Burgos Perdiguero associations to try to eradicate it.
Early diagnostic
The drawback is that the aforementioned diagnostic technique is very late, and therefore, has a great emotional impact on owners.
For this reason, another part of the research has consisted of perfecting, for this breed, a new diagnostic technique developed in the United States called the PennHIP or distraction method, which consists of taking a specific X-ray and taking a measurement on it called the index of distraction.
This study has concluded that with the PennHIP method this disease can be predicted from four months of age, and throughout the animal’s growth, with the same reliability, in the Pointer, and it has even been possible to enunciate a formula with the which will know the degree of hip dysplasia that he will have in the future from the distraction index that he presents at four months. This system could reduce this disease, which has so much repercussion, both on the animal itself and on the owners.
Source: University of León
Available model based on this design here: http://www.ortocanis.com/es/silla-de-ruedas/56-silla-de-ruedas-para-perro-abatible.html
At Ortocanis we work to improve the lives of dogs with mobility problems, that includes dogs with some permanent physical disability as well as dogs that need rehabilitation. Marta Subirats, our collaborator, tells you about the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament.
Of the four ligaments that make up the dog’s knee, rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament is one of the most common pathologies and the most frequent cause of secondary degenerative osteoarthritis in the knee joint. The functions of the cranial cruciate ligament are to limit internal rotation of the tibia and cranial displacement of the tibia relative to the femur and to prevent hyperextension of the knee.
If your dog appears with an acute limp, does not want to put his paw on the ground, or seems to take a few steps and shrinks it, and his knee swells, it is possible that his anterior cruciate ligament is affected.
There is a predisposition in certain dogs to suffer this injury. On the one hand we find small-medium sized dogs (breed or not) with short legs and generally overweight and, on the other hand, large and giant breeds that, due to their morphology, have a tendency to suffer injuries to their ligaments. Among the latter we find the Labrador, Rottweiler, Neapolitan Mastiff, Boxer, etc. In any case, this is not a rule and any dog can have a ligament injury throughout his life.
Apart from the breeds mentioned, there are other factors such as being overweight, sedentary lifestyle, endocrine disorders, sports dogs that do not warm up properly, stairs, sudden climbs to the sofa or the car, or activities that subject the ligaments to micro-trauma and that finally end up damaging them with partial damage or total breakage.
There are two types of treatment, conservative and surgical, whether one or the other is chosen, the animal must carry out a correct recovery of that knee so that it becomes functional again and thus avoid recurrences.
The goals of recovery are to decrease pain, swelling, and lameness, to regain full mobility, muscle mass and strength, and control over the joint.
Physiotherapy varies depending on the animal and the type of treatment, conservative or surgical and, in the case of surgery, the type of intervention. There are surgeries that require more rest and stabilization than others. The recovery process is considered complete when the animal is able to perform daily activities and its knee is able to receive loads and movement without risk of re-injury.
It is important that your pet receives rehabilitation treatment by trained professionals who will choose the best techniques for a quick and effective recovery. Among the most used therapies to treat a crusader problem we find: massages, mobilizations, therapy with currents, ultrasounds, laser, aquatic therapy, balance and coordination training therapy.
During the recovery period it is important that:
– Take your pet on a leash during walks and avoid sudden departures towards other dogs and changes of pace, especially at the beginning of recovery. Your veterinarian or therapist will modify the intensity of the activity as the recovery period progresses.
– Keep the dog off slippery floors. A common cause is recurrence of the ligament tear accompanied by medial meniscus injury.
– Avoid ramps and stairs at the beginning of treatment in operated animals and in animals undergoing conservative treatment. Once rehabilitated, ramps can be used to help get on the sofa and in the car, since it is recommended that they do not do it alone, there could be a recurrence.
– It is recommended that they rest on soft and clean surfaces, but that they are firm enough to help the incorporation of the animal special mattress for dogs
– Keep the skin clean and dry.
– Correct diet and weight control. Being overweight harms the joints and generates more
pain for the animalDuring recovery or in those animals in which knee instability may arise, the use of a hinged knee orthosis can benefit you and prevent recurrence or possible complications.
Knee orthoses can be used in cases where surgery is not possible or there is some impediment to perform it. These splints, designed exclusively for knee problems, allow progressively increasing degrees of flexion-extension while limiting unwanted movements, providing stability throughout the recovery.
Marta Subirats
Ortocanis physiotherapy technique
But what exactly does the law say?
Article 18.1 of Royal Decree 1428/2003, of November 21, which approves the General Circulation Regulations for the application and development of the articulated text of the Law on traffic, circulation of motor vehicles and road safety (BOE no. 306, of 12-23-03) and approved by Royal Legislative Decree 339/1990, of March 2 in its article 11.2, establish that “The driver of a vehicle is obliged to maintain his own freedom of movement, the field necessary vision and permanent attention to driving, which guarantee their own safety, that of the rest of the occupants of the vehicle and that of other road users. For these purposes, you must take special care to maintain the proper position and that the rest of the passengers maintain it, and the proper placement of the objects or animals transported so that there is no interference between the driver and any of them.
Likewise, in article 11.2 of Royal Decree 1428/2003 on collective transport of people, it says:
2. In vehicles intended for the public service of collective transport of people, passengers are prohibited from:
a) Distract the driver while the vehicle is moving.
b) Enter or exit the vehicle through places other than those designated, respectively, for these purposes.
c) Enter the vehicle when the warning that it is complete has been made.
d) Unnecessarily hinder passage in places intended for the transit of people.
e) Carry any animal with you, unless there is a place in the vehicle intended for its transport. Exceptions to this prohibition, always under their responsibility, are the blind accompanied by dogs, specially trained as guide dogs.
f) Carry dangerous materials or objects in conditions other than those established in the specific regulation on the matter.
g) Disregard the instructions given by the driver or person in charge of the vehicle regarding the service.”
It should be remembered that driving a vehicle without taking care of the proper positioning of the transported animal, so that they do not interfere with driving (adequate enclosures or independent from the one used by passengers, or systems such as the seat belt for dogs ), is sanctioned with 60 euros and does not entail the loss of points on the card.
Happy journey!
There are many treatments that exist for the rehabilitation of our little friends, one of the least known; thermotherapy!
Thermotherapy is the application of heat to the body for therapeutic purposes. There are different ways of applying heat to the animal: heat packs , parafango, ultrasound , short wave, infrared , water vapor, contrast baths and moist heat.
It has therapeutic effects; It is anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, analgesic, sedative, relaxing and decontracting.
At the cellular level, it increases metabolism, while at the level of the blood vessels, it acts by producing thermoregulation that, at the local level, will produce brief vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation, giving rise to hyperthermia. In addition to a vasomotor reaction.
At a deep level, hyperthermia also occurs. It will produce a reflex action as a consequence of the vasomotor modifications of the local application that will produce an improvement in cell nutrition, an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
On the heart it produces tachycardias and modifies blood pressure in local applications and if its application is increased, it produces an increase in the temperature of the stimulus and decreases blood pressure with an increase in volume.
In the blood, it produces an alkalinization of the blood pH, decreases coagulation, blood viscosity and, consequently, there is a greater lymphatic supply to the tissues.
On the skin there is an increase in temperature, with an increase in local circulation and decreased sensitivity.
The heat on the nervous system increases sensitivity in short-term applications, while if the duration is prolonged, it produces a decrease in sensitivity, sedation and analgesia.
At the muscular level, it produces relaxation, is antispasmodic, decreases excitability, increases tissue elasticity and decreases muscle tone. And, on the respiratory system, it produces an increase in the respiratory rate.
There are a number of circumstances in which heat cannot be applied:
Heat can be applied once the acute phase of the injury or surgery has ended: fractures, contractures, tendinitis, dislocations, etc., or in chronic cases such as geriatric animals or those with osteoarthritis.
It is necessary to control the animal’s skin at all times and if the skin is very red or the animal is upset, the treatment should be stopped. It is necessary to place a towel between the animal and the heat, never place it directly, as there is a risk of causing skin burns.
There are special protectors or straps for a better fastening of the hot pack.
Orthocanis team
A little more information from Ortocanis, do our articles help you?
Definition
Disc herniation is a neurological disease that affects the spine, when part of the intervertebral disc presses on or enters the spinal cord.
The dog has 7 cervical vertebrae, 13 thoracic, 7 lumbar, 3 sacral and, depending on the breed, 20-23 tail vertebrae. The intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae that make up the spine and at the same time give it its mobility.
Two types of hernia and their symptoms
It mainly differentiates between two types of disc herniation: Protrusion and Discus Extrusion.
We speak of a Protrusion when the intervertebral disc moves and thus presses on the spinal cord but the spinal cord tissue is intact. The dog shows pain, walks awkwardly, sometimes with a hunched back and may drag its legs a little.
Extrusion means that the disc tissue has ruptured and disc material has entered and damaged the medulla. In this case the symptoms can be similar to that of the Protrusion but more serious. Depending on the location of the hernia, it causes paralysis of the forelimbs and/or hindlimbs. The dog loses sensitivity in those extremities, which manifests itself in the absence of pain, does not stand up and begins to crawl. It may also look like incontinence.
The most important thing in these cases is the rapid diagnosis and intervention of the veterinarian!!
A slight Protrusion can be treated with medication and almost absolute rest, however an Extrusion has to be operated to remove the disc material from the marrow.
But beware – each case of disc herniation is different and depends a lot on its location, to what degree it has pressed or damaged the spinal cord and how long it has been between the first symptom and diagnosis. That is why it is very important to choose a good neurologist.
Physiotherapy – recovery
In both cases, physiotherapy is very important for a good and faster recovery of the animal.
Various massage methods help stimulate the peripheral system and increase blood circulation. Passive joint movement prevents loss of mobility in affected limbs. Electrotherapy stops muscle atrophy and is the only passive way to increase muscle mass.
When the dog is already standing, several active exercises are applied to improve stability, balance and coordination.
The owner must take great care with the feeding of his dog during recovery and consult the veterinarian, since the loss of mobility and the same amount of food lead to weight gain – something that should be avoided in any case. Every extra gram makes it more difficult for the dog to get up and walk again.
In the event of a cervical hernia, the use of a harness is recommended to avoid sudden movements in this area and also to raise the food and water bowls so that the dog does not have to bend down too much.
andrea klein
animal physiotherapist
Collaborator of Ortocanis.com
Canicross is a sports modality with the participation of a dog and a person that derives from mushing (dog sled shooting). The difference is that in canicross the snow is not necessary, it is not practiced with a sled but simply the runner is tied to his dog by means of a belt and a rope that is tied in turn to the dog’s harness. One of the main advantages of canicross is that it can be practiced at all levels, it can be done at an amateur level, simply by sharing your time playing sports with your dog, signing up for low-level tests or entering the leagues and competing more “in I laughed”.
One of the main characteristics of canicross is that both the races and the training sessions can be practiced in very beautiful places, surrounded by nature and far from the madding crowd of cities. In any case, there are people who practice canicross in the city or in coastal cities by the sea.
In any case, canicross is a tremendously cheap sport, we need sports shoes, a harness and a rope. The waste of material is minimal and both the rope and the belt for the runner as well as the harness for the dog can last us several seasons.
The regulations are very simple, we can summarize them in that dogs that are not dangerous must participate, and we are referring to the specimen, not to the breed, since all without exception are admitted, which must be in good health, have passed the rigorous veterinary checks, up-to-date vaccination and implanted microchip.
If there is a conflicting dog, for example with other dogs, but not manifestly dangerous, it may take the start last or with a muzzle.
The runner must always go behind the dog, at the most to the side, if the runner overtakes the dog and pulls him, he can be disqualified, the dog can only be pulled when changes of direction or in cases of distraction of the animal. Physical or verbal aggression against one’s own or another’s dogs is also not allowed.
For more information on regulations you can consult the website of the Royal Spanish Federation of Winter Sports .
There are races throughout Spain. In Catalonia, one of the places with the most tradition, they are already in the fifth edition of the Catalan canicross league that takes place in its versions on land or snow (where runners compete on snow). This league is called by four federations:
The Catalan Federation of Winter Sports,
The Catalan Federation of Agility,
The Catalan Federation of Athletics,
The Federation of Excursionist Entities of Catalonia.
You must be a member of one of these federations to participate in the league.
In the 2010-2011 season the first Spanish Canicross League began http://liganacionalcanicross.viviti.com/
You can also find information in the Canicross Section of the Spanish Association of Mushers (AEM)
Canicross is an eminently winter sport, especially in our country since dogs at temperatures above 15 degrees already begin to suffer more than they should. In the Catalan league they are considering suspending a test or shortening it after 20º, they are not suspended, for example, in case of rain.
In short, it is about running with the dog doing a physical activity in good conditions for the dog in the middle of nature, all a joy.
Orthocanis team.