09/17/2026
🟢COAT CHANGES IN YOUR DOG & MYOFASCIAL PAIN
Have you ever noticed that your dog’s coat suddenly “flicks”, ripples, stands up or lies differently in one particular area?
Sometimes, changes in the way the coat sits can provide an interesting visual clue to underlying muscular or soft-tissue dysfunction. However, coat changes alone are not a diagnosis of pain and should always be considered alongside other findings such as posture, gait, movement, palpation, behaviour and your dog’s overall history.
🟢 CASE STUDY
This is Cooper, who came to see me earlier this year with signs consistent with myofascial restrictions affecting the caudal thoracic and lumbar regions.
As you can see from the red arrows, there were noticeable changes in the coat pattern over this region.
The left photograph shows Cooper before treatment, where the coat has a distinctive wavy or “flicked” appearance.
The muscles in this region include the multifidus and other deep spinal musculature, which contribute to spinal stability and movement. When muscles and surrounding connective tissues become tense, restricted or overloaded, this can influence normal movement and tissue mobility.
The photograph on the right was taken following targeted direct myofascial release techniques. Following treatment, the coat lies more evenly, suggesting a change in the underlying muscle tone and tissue tension. The muscle tone post-treatment appeared more flexible and relaxed, which will contribute to improved mobility and freer movement.
🟢 SO, WHAT IS MYOFASCIA?
Fascia is a continuous network of connective tissue throughout the body. It surrounds and connects muscles and other structures, allowing tissues to move relative to one another.
Fascial tissues are also richly innervated and have important roles in sensory perception, proprioception and nociception (the detection of potentially painful stimuli).
🟢 WHAT IS MYOFASCIAL PAIN?
Myofascial pain refers to pain or dysfunction associated with muscle and the surrounding fascial tissues.
In dogs, muscular and myofascial problems may occur alongside musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis, injury, post-operative changes, altered biomechanics or repetitive/overuse patterns.
The body can also develop compensatory patterns, where one area works harder because another area is painful, weak or restricted.
Over time, these adaptations can contribute to altered movement and further muscular tension.
🟢 WHY CAN THE COAT CHANGE?
The relationship between coat appearance and underlying musculoskeletal dysfunction is an interesting clinical observation, but it is important not to interpret a “coat flick” as a definitive diagnostic sign.
Changes in coat direction or texture may occur for a number of reasons. However, when a distinct coat pattern occurs together with other findings — such as localised muscular tension, trigger points, altered posture, reduced mobility, skin twitching or sensitivity on palpation changes in behaviour including reactivity and noise sensitivity — it may provide another useful clue when assessing the dog as a whole.
In some dogs, the coat may:
🐾 Stand slightly away from the body
🐾 Ripple or appear wavy
🐾 Develop a distinctive “kick”
🐾 Lie unusually flat
🐾 Change direction over a particular area
🐾 Changes in colour and texture
These observations should always be interpreted within the wider clinical picture.
🟢 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOUR DOG?
A change in coat pattern doesn’t necessarily mean your dog is in pain.
However, a persistent or new change in coat appearance, particularly when accompanied by changes in movement, posture, behaviour, exercise tolerance or sensitivity, is worth paying attention to.
It may indicate that something underneath the coat deserves further assessment.
This is particularly important because dogs can be extremely good at adapting to chronic musculoskeletal discomfort.
🟢 HOW CAN CLINICAL CANINE MASSAGE HELP?
As a Canine Musculoskeletal Therapist, I am trained in myofascial release techniques, including direct and indirect approaches.
These techniques are designed to work with the soft tissues and their mobility, with the aim of reducing muscular restriction and supporting more comfortable, efficient movement.
The objective isn’t simply to “loosen a tight muscle” — it is to assess the dog as a whole and consider how individual muscles, fascia, joints and movement patterns interact.
The Lenton Method® is the approach used within Canine Massage Guild training. Clinical research involving clinical canine massage has also been published in Veterinary Record, examining outcomes including pain and quality of life in dogs.
Importantly, clinical massage should be viewed as an adjunct to veterinary care, rather than a replacement for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. If your dog has a new, unexplained or worsening change in movement or behaviour, veterinary assessment should always be the first step.
💚 If you’ve noticed changes in your dog’s coat, movement or posture and would like to discuss whether clinical canine massage may be appropriate, please get in touch:
📧 [email protected]
📞 07418 082 240
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📚 REFERENCES
1. Fede, C. et al. (2021). Fascia Mobility, Proprioception, and Myofascial Pain. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(15), 3430.
2. Stecco, C. et al. (2021). Deep fascia as a potential source of pain: A narrative review. Journal of Pain Research.
3. Karas, D. et al. (2024). Myofascial pain syndrome in small animal practice. Journal of Small Animal Practice.
4. Monteiro, B.P. et al. (2024). Quantitative sensory testing in canine musculoskeletal pain: Findings from a systematic review, meta-analysis feasibility assessment, and limitations. The Veterinary Journal, 304, 106102.
5. Pedersen, T.R. et al. (2025). Neuroanatomy of spinal nociception and pain in dogs and cats: A practical review for the veterinary clinician. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
6. Riley, L. et al. (2021). Effect of massage therapy on pain and quality of life in dogs: A cross-sectional study. Veterinary Record. The study involved 527 dogs and investigated changes in pain and quality-of-life measures following clinical canine massage therapy.
7. Canine Massage Guild. Clinical Trials – Lenton Method® and clinical canine massage therapy.
