East Midlands Clinical Canine Massage & Rehab

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East Midlands Clinical Canine Massage & Rehab Musculoskeletal Therapist and Pain Practitioner providing clinical treatment for dogs. Lisa is a Guild Clinical Canine massage Therapist.
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Working alongside Vets & pain specialists offering clinical massage, osteopathic treatments, nutrition, laser, rehab, and fitness for dogs at clinics in Nottingham. Clinical massage supports dogs with orthopaedic conditions such as arthritis and hip/elbow dysplasia and dogs with neurological conditions. It is a non-invasive natural form of pain relief for dogs, it can relieve discomfort, improve mobility, and promote physiological well-being. Massage helps improves and addresses a dogs gait, posture, behaviour problems, and can improve performance for sporting dogs. Using skilled canine massage techniques such as Swedish, sports, deep tissue, myofascial release, and performing direct manipulation of muscle and fascia; painful debilitating ‘knots’ (trigger points) that cause referred pain are released, and scar tissue and adhesions can be broken down, improving your dog’s flexibility, mobility and comfort levels. Lisa is passionate about the well-being and health of dogs which has led her to successfully complete a year course as Canine Conditioning Coach from the Accredited Canine Conditioning Academy. By combining both skills: Clinical Canine Massage and Canine Conditioning, Lisa offers massage treatments and safe and effective fitness and conditioning programmes for pet dogs, senior dogs, nervous/anxious dogs, dogs that are overweight and dog’s after post surgery. She specialises working with performance dog’s such as those that do agility, flyball, canicross, obedience, show dogs etc. Alongside Clinical Massage, Canine Conditioning/rehabilitation programmes, Lisa is training to be a Canine Osteopathic Practitioner and will be offering these treatments sessions to your dog soon. Lisa continues to broaden her knowledge by attending regular courses. Most recently she has completed courses in Canine First Aid, Canine Gait & Biomechanics, Rehab Techniques for the Neurological Canine Patient, Canine Behaviour, T-touch, and Canine Nutrition. All clinical canine sessions are delivered in the comfort of the purpose built clinic which is based in South Nottingham, which is designed specifically to cater for your dog’s treatment sessions, including equipment for Canine Postural/Gait Analysis and tailored Canine Conditioning and Rehabilitation Programmes. Lisa is based in Nottingham and has clients from the East Midlands; she covers Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Northampton.

MORE THAN JUST A TREATMENT | SUPPORTING YOUR DOG’S ENTIRE REHABILITATION JOURNEYRecent conversations with clients have m...
25/10/2026

MORE THAN JUST A TREATMENT | SUPPORTING YOUR DOG’S ENTIRE REHABILITATION JOURNEY

Recent conversations with clients have made me realise that many people may not fully appreciate the range of services, resources and ongoing support I offer.

When you book an appointment with me, you receive more than hands-on treatment. You benefit from my specialist knowledge, professional qualifications, experience, rehabilitation equipment and continued investment in education and technology.

My approach is about looking beyond the immediate problem and supporting each dog’s comfort, mobility, physical function and long-term wellbeing.

QUALIFICATIONS & SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE

I am a fully qualified and insured Level 7 Musculoskeletal Therapist, specialising in:

* Canine Osteopathy
* Clinical Canine Massage
* Myofascial Release
* Canine Rehabilitation

My additional qualifications and professional training include:

* Level 5 Canine Rehabilitation
* Level 3 Canine Nutrition
* Certificate in Laser Therapy
* Canine Clinical and Sports Nutrition qualifications
* Veterinary Pain Practitioner qualification
* Certificates in Canine Pain Management
* Advanced study in chronic and long-term pain management
* Diploma-level study in Canine Bodywork
* Further specialist courses and continuing professional development

CONTINUED LEARNING, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & EQUIPMENT UPDATES

My learning never stops. I continue to undertake further study, pursue additional qualifications and develop my knowledge across canine rehabilitation, pain management, nutrition, movement and physical conditioning.

Alongside my education, I continually invest in updating my rehabilitation equipment, therapeutic resources and technology to enhance the support I can offer.

This includes rehabilitation and exercise equipment, gait-analysis technology, and systems including Gait and Sit and Fit Fur Life gait-analysis systems.

COMPREHENSIVE CANINE CARE & REHABILITATION SUPPORT

My services extend beyond hands-on therapy to support several important aspects of canine health and wellbeing.

Canine Pain Management

Supporting dogs experiencing acute or chronic pain, reduced mobility, age-related changes and musculoskeletal conditions. I help owners understand their dog’s needs and explore appropriate management strategies, promoting comfort and quality of life prompting veterinary care intervention

Puppy Courses & Early Development

Helping owners give their puppies the best possible start through guidance on safe, age-appropriate exercise, movement, body awareness, physical development and general care. My puppy courses and support packages help establish positive foundations for future health and wellbeing.

Weight Management & Nutrition

Providing individualised weight-management support and nutritional guidance, recognising the importance of appropriate body condition for mobility, joint health, rehabilitation and overall wellbeing.

Canine Sports Conditioning, Exercise & Nutrition

With a particular interest in canine sports exercise and nutrition, I support active and sporting dogs through appropriate conditioning, exercise and nutritional guidance.

I also sponsor clients and support the Nottingham sporting-dog community, recognising the importance of physical preparation, recovery and long-term health in working and sporting dogs.

FREE SHORT-TERM REHABILITATION EQUIPMENT LOAN

Rehabilitation equipment can be expensive, so I offer a free, short-term equipment loan service for rehabilitation clients, where appropriate for their individual programme.

Available equipment includes:

* Cavaletti poles
* PEMF electrotherapy mat
* FitPaws and TotoFit balance equipment
* Pet strollers and prams
* Dog steps for cars
* Red-light and laser therapy equipment

Equipment is provided to support suitable rehabilitation activities at home, with guidance on its use. Where possible, I simply ask clients to consider making a small donation to one of our sponsored charities.

CANINE BOOK LENDING LIBRARY

My growing Canine Book Lending Library is available to dog owners, students and canine professionals, with resources covering:

* Veterinary rehabilitation and anatomy
* Dog training and behaviour
* Canine welfare, health and care
* Nutrition
* Exercise, movement and rehabilitation

I want to encourage continued learning and make useful canine information more accessible to owners and professionals alike.

ONGOING SUPPORT: BEYOND THE APPOINTMENT

Rehabilitation does not necessarily end when you leave the clinic.

Ongoing support may include adapting exercises, discussing changes in mobility, reviewing equipment needs, answering questions and helping owners navigate setbacks or changing needs.

Every dog is different, and rehabilitation is rarely a one-size-fits-all process.

I continue to invest in my knowledge, equipment and resources so I can keep developing the support available to my clients, working alongside veterinary professionals where appropriate.

MORE THAN A THERAPIST

I genuinely care about the dogs I work with and the people who care for them.

Whether through hands-on therapy, rehabilitation planning, pain-management support, nutritional guidance, conditioning, equipment or owner education, my aim is to provide a considered, individual approach to every dog.

I am proud to continue my studies, develop my qualifications, update my equipment and explore new ways to support canine health and wellbeing.

Thank you to every client who trusts me with their dog. Your trust means a great deal, and I am proud to be part of your dog’s ongoing health and rehabilitation journey.

Because your dog deserves more than a treatment appointment. They deserve ongoing care, knowledge and support.

WHEN CHRONIC PAIN CHANGES THE WAY A DOG FEELSCould chronic pain make your dog more sensitive to touch, heat and cold?Eme...
24/10/2026

WHEN CHRONIC PAIN CHANGES THE WAY A DOG FEELS

Could chronic pain make your dog more sensitive to touch, heat and cold?

Emerging research in canine pain science suggests that the effects of chronic pain may extend far beyond the site of the original injury or affected joint.

🟢 What has research shown?

Using Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST), researchers have demonstrated that dogs with osteoarthritis can exhibit lower sensory thresholds to mechanical pressure, heat and cold compared with dogs without osteoarthritis.

Crucially, reduced sensory thresholds have been identified not only around affected joints, but also at other sites across the body.

This is an important finding. It suggests that chronic pain may be associated with widespread changes in sensory processing, rather than sensitivity being confined to the painful joint.

Research in dogs with chronic pain has also identified altered sensory thresholds, although the specific patterns can differ depending on the stimulus, the body site tested and the underlying pain condition.

The key message: chronic pain can be associated with increased sensitivity beyond the original site of pain.

🟢 What does this mean for the dogs nervous system?

QST provides researchers with a way to investigate sensory thresholds and pain-related responses under controlled conditions.

In some dogs with chronic pain, the nervous system may become more responsive to sensory input. This phenomenon is known as sensitisation and may contribute to heightened sensitivity to stimuli that would otherwise be tolerated more comfortably.

Importantly, a lowered sensory threshold does not, by itself, prove that sensitisation is present or establish the cause of an individual dog’s sensitivity. QST remains primarily a research tool in veterinary medicine, and further work is needed to establish standardised clinical applications.

🟢 What might owners notice?

Consider how your dog responds to everyday experiences:

• Has brushing, grooming or routine handling become less tolerable?

• Does your dog flinch, withdraw or react when touched?

• Have they become more sensitive to pressure or contact in areas that previously caused no concern?

• Do they seem less comfortable in cold weather?

These changes do not automatically indicate chronic pain. However, new or increasing sensitivity deserves attention, particularly in dogs with osteoarthritis or other painful conditions.

🟢 Could temperature make a difference?

If a dog has altered sensory processing, temperature-related discomfort may be an important consideration.

Research demonstrating lowered thermal sensory thresholds provides a reason to investigate this further. However, it does not establish that every dog with chronic pain will experience increased discomfort in cold weather, or that cold temperatures necessarily worsen the underlying disease.

As the weather gets colder, simple supportive measures can help: provide a warm, dry resting place, comfortable bedding and appropriate protection outdoors. Monitor your dog’s mobility, behaviour and tolerance of handling.

🟢 The message we should not overlook

A dog that appears unusually sensitive may not be overreacting. Its sensory system may be responding differently.

Chronic pain is not always confined to one joint or one obvious area of the body. Changes in sensory thresholds across multiple sites highlight the importance of looking beyond the location of the primary problem when assessing dogs with persistent pain.

Sensitivity to touch, grooming or temperature is not diagnostic on its own. But when a dog’s behaviour changes, particularly alongside stiffness, reduced mobility or reluctance to be handled, a veterinary assessment is warranted.

🟢 Understanding how chronic pain changes sensory processing is an important step towards recognising pain earlier and improving canine welfare.



📚 Research reference

Kňazovický, D., Helgeson, E. S., Case, B., Gruen, M. E., Maixner, W., & Lascelles, B. D. X. (2016). Widespread somatosensory sensitivity in naturally occurring canine model of osteoarthritis. Pain, 157(6), 1325–1332.

🐾 It’s always wonderful to see Bertie! 🐾Bertie is one of my regular visitors, and he’s absolutely full of life, joy and ...
22/10/2026

🐾 It’s always wonderful to see Bertie! 🐾

Bertie is one of my regular visitors, and he’s absolutely full of life, joy and mischief. He’s a proper cheeky character who is always up to something… although this time, his curiosity got him into a little more trouble than usual! 😅

I was so alarmed to hear that Bertie had a rather unfortunate encounter with a female cow!

Being his usual curious self, Bertie got a little too close and unfortunately ended up being rolled over a few times by the cow. Poor little guy! As a result, he hurt his back and was understandably very sore and uncomfortable.

Thankfully, Bertie has had veterinary attention and pain relief, and we’ve been helping him on his road to recovery with lots of gentle massage and hands-on treatment to ease the tightness and stiffness through his back muscles, particularly around his lower back.

One of the muscles we’ve been working on is the iliocostalis, an important muscle that runs along the back and helps with supporting and stabilising the spine, maintaining posture, and assisting with movement and bending of the back. After an incident like Bertie’s, it’s no surprise that these muscles can become tight and protective as they try to support and protect a sore back.

Bertie, of course, has been taking it all in his stride, because being told to take it easy clearly isn’t part of his life plan!

Keep being you, Bertie, just perhaps with a little less curiosity next time!

.🎉🐾 Happy 10th Birthday to the wonderful Mac! 🐾It was so lovely to see you last week, and what an amazing example you ar...
22/10/2026

.🎉🐾 Happy 10th Birthday to the wonderful Mac! 🐾

It was so lovely to see you last week, and what an amazing example you are of what can be achieved with the right team and an owner who is completely dedicated to helping you thrive.

At 10 years of age, Mac is approaching his senior years, yet he is still going from strength to strength and achieving truly amazing things. His treatment is helping him enormously, and he is showing that age really doesn’t have to stand in the way of continuing to learn, progress and succeed. 🌟

Mac and his owner are an absolutely incredible team. Together, they have achieved Level 10 Scent Work, one of the highest levels in the country — an absolutely fantastic achievement! 🏆🐶

This is such a wonderful example of what can happen when you have an amazing dog, a committed owner and the right support and treatment behind them.

Amazing dog. Amazing owner. Amazing teamwork.

Happy Birthday, young man! 🎂🐾 May you continue this fabulous journey for many more years, achieving great things and showing everyone that being a senior dog doesn’t mean slowing down! 🌟💚

Here’s to you, Mac — 10 years young and still smashing it! 🥳🐾

✨ WORLD PET OBESITY AWARENESS WEEK ✨🐾This week, we’re raising awareness of pet obesity and the importance of maintaining...
13/10/2026

✨ WORLD PET OBESITY AWARENESS WEEK ✨🐾

This week, we’re raising awareness of pet obesity and the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for our pets’ comfort, mobility and quality of life. 💚

I’ll be sharing informative posts on recognising excess weight and making positive changes to support longer, healthier lives.

📢 Please read, like and share to help spread awareness! 🐶🐱

🐾 Your Dog’s Weight Matters — Help Them Live a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life! 🐾

In 2022, an estimated 59% of dogs and 61% of cats were classified as overweight or living with obesity. Pet obesity is a serious health concern, but with awareness, early intervention, and the right support, we can make a real difference to our pets’ quality of life.

🌟 WEIGHT MANAGEMENT FOR DOGS: WHY EVERY KILO COUNTS 🌟

Many pets we think of as “just big” may actually be carrying excess weight. Findings from the 2025 Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) survey highlight a perception gap: many owners do not recognise that their pet is overweight. This is not necessarily because they don’t care, but because excess weight can be difficult to identify.

Even a few extra pieces of kibble each day can add up over time. Small, consistent changes can make a meaningful difference to your dog’s health.

💚 UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF CANINE OBESITY

Obesity is a chronic disease that affects far more than your dog’s appearance.

✨ Increased stress on joints: Excess body weight places additional mechanical stress on joints, contributing to joint deterioration and potentially worsening osteoarthritis (OA).

✨ Fat is biologically active: Fat tissue does more than store energy. It releases hormones and other signalling chemicals that can promote inflammation throughout the body.

✨ The role of leptin: Fat cells produce leptin, a hormone involved in regulating appetite and energy balance. Leptin can also contribute to inflammatory processes and may influence bone changes associated with osteoarthritis.

✨ Hormonal imbalances and pain: Obesity-related inflammation can affect metabolic and hormonal regulation, including insulin and cortisol pathways. These changes may further complicate your dog’s health and can contribute to the challenges of managing chronic pain.

🌟 WHY KEEP YOUR DOG LEAN, FIT AND HEALTHY?

The benefits of maintaining a healthy body condition can be life-changing.

🐾 A longer, healthier life

Research published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that Labrador Retrievers fed approximately 25% less food than their paired counterparts, while maintaining appropriate nutritional care, lived longer and experienced a delayed onset of certain chronic diseases.

📖 Study: J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002;220:1315–1320.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11991408/

🐾 Improved mobility and comfort

Research has shown that weight reduction can improve lameness in overweight dogs with osteoarthritis. One study found that an approximately 8% reduction in body weight was associated with improvements in established lameness.

📖 Study: Veterinary Research Communications. 2010;34(3):241–253.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2855019/

🐾 Better quality of life

Maintaining a healthy weight can help reduce unnecessary strain on joints, support mobility, and improve your dog’s ability to enjoy everyday activities.

A healthy weight is about more than a number on the scales. It is about comfort, movement, wellbeing and more precious years together. 💚

🌟 CLOSING THE PERCEPTION GAP: WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Many owners of pets living with overweight or obesity perceive their pet’s body condition as normal, ideal or even thin. Recognising this gap is an important first step towards better health.

🐶 Here’s how you can help:

✅ Learn how to assess your dog’s body condition at home.

✅ Ask your veterinary team to assess your dog’s body condition score and ideal weight.

✅ Review feeding portions, treats and daily activity with your veterinary team.

✅ Make gradual, sustainable changes and monitor progress regularly.

✅ Share this information to help other pet owners recognise the importance of maintaining a healthy weight.

For practical guidance and resources, visit the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention’s pet owner resource page:

🔗 https://www.petobesityprevention.org/pet-owner-resources

💚 Your dog depends on you to make the choices that support their health. A little less weight can mean a lot more life.

🐾 Let’s work together to help our dogs move better, feel better and enjoy more happy, active years by our side.

Because their weight matters. Their comfort matters. And every extra healthy year matters. ❤️🐾

Scar Tissue in Dogs: The Hidden Cause of CompensationAs musculoskeletal therapists, we’re taught to recognise and treat ...
09/10/2026

Scar Tissue in Dogs: The Hidden Cause of Compensation

As musculoskeletal therapists, we’re taught to recognise and treat scar tissue because it can create restrictions in the tissues and affect how a dog moves. Following trauma or surgery, the body progresses through inflammatory, proliferative and finally remodelling phases of healing. During remodelling, collagen reorganises to provide strength, but scar tissue can remain less organised and less flexible than normal tissue.

These restrictions can create local myofascial tension and, importantly, compensatory patterns elsewhere in the body and sometimes quite a distance from the original injury. Techniques such as myofascial release, scar-tissue mobilisation and functional indirect techniques can help restore tissue mobility and function. Acupuncture, including local needling around scar tissue, and therapeutic laser may also be beneficial in appropriate cases.

So, if your dog has scar tissue following an injury or surgery, it may be worth seeking advice from a suitably qualified musculoskeletal therapist, veterinary physiotherapist, massage therapist or osteopath, and, where appropriate, a veterinary acupuncture professional.

The two photographs at the bottom show two of my canine clients, with areas of scar tissue highlighted in yellow for clarity. In both cases, the scar tissue and associated soft-tissue tightness appear to contribute to reduced tissue flexibility, potentially restricting the available range of motion at the affected joints.

These restrictions may have further consequences, including myofascial pain in different areas of the body, compensatory movement patterns, and dysfunction in posture and gait as the dogs adapt their movement to compensate for these restrictions.

We’re not just treating tissue. We’re working with the nervous system.And that brings me to a question…Why are we, as mu...
08/10/2026

We’re not just treating tissue. We’re working with the nervous system.

And that brings me to a question…

Why are we, as musculoskeletal therapists, so interested in fascia?

Because what if the tissue we’ve spent years thinking of as simply the body’s wrapping…

…is actually communicating with the nervous system?

That’s fascia.

And if you’ve followed me for a while, you probably already have a pretty good idea of what fascia is.

It’s the connective tissue that surrounds, supports and connects pretty much everything in the body — muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels and organs.

But here’s where it gets really interesting.

Fascia isn’t just wrapping.

It’s living, responsive tissue.

It has a rich supply of sensory nerve endings, including receptors involved in touch, movement, proprioception and pain.

Which means fascia has the potential to play a much bigger role in pain and movement than we may have traditionally thought.

But there’s another layer to this.

Fascia is also connected with the autonomic nervous system, including the sympathetic nervous system.

And we know what the sympathetic nervous system is involved in.

Fight. Flight. Freeze.

That “I need to be ready” response.

Think about what happens to your own body when you’re stressed.

Your shoulders creep up.

Your jaw tightens.

Your breathing changes.

Your muscles become tense.

And if that stress continues?

That tension can start to feel normal.

So why wouldn’t we start asking some of the same questions about our animals?

Especially when we know that animals can also experience stress, fear, anxiety and heightened arousal.

Think about an alert dog.

A dog that’s constantly scanning the environment…

watching…

ready to react.

What might that look like physically?

Often, we see increased muscle tension.

Guarded movement.

Changes in posture.

Less fluidity.

And potentially…

discomfort.

Now, I want to be really clear here.

We can’t simply say:

“Stress causes fascial pain in dogs.”

The research isn’t strong enough for us to make that claim.

But what we can say is that fascia is highly innervated, it can be involved in pain, and the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in both stress and pain processing.

So there’s a really interesting connection here.

And this is one of the reasons I absolutely love working alongside behaviourists and trainers.

Because sometimes the physical problem and the behavioural problem aren’t two completely separate things.

They may be influencing each other.

An uncomfortable animal may behave differently.

A stressed animal may move differently.

And an animal that is constantly tense may find it harder to physically relax.

So when we’re treating an animal…

we’re not just treating a muscle.

We’re not just treating fascia.

We’re treating an animal.

And that means we have to think about the nervous system too.

Because here’s the really important part.

If an animal is highly aroused, frightened or stressed, we may actually be working against its nervous system.

But if we can help that animal feel safe…

help it settle…

help it breathe…

help it relax…

then we create a very different environment for therapy.

We’re moving away from fight or flight…

…and towards rest, recovery and regulation.

And that, for me, is where this becomes really fascinating.

Because effective manual therapy isn’t simply about what we’re doing to the tissues.

it’s also about what we’re doing to — and with — the whole system.

The muscles.

The fascia.

The nervous system.

The behaviour.

And ultimately…

the animal in front of us.

And that’s why I think fascia is so much more interesting than simply being the stuff that wraps around the muscles.

🐕 CANINE COAT CHANGES: WHAT IS NORMAL — AND WHEN SHOULD WE INVESTIGATE FURTHER?One of the questions I am frequently aske...
02/10/2026

🐕 CANINE COAT CHANGES: WHAT IS NORMAL — AND WHEN SHOULD WE INVESTIGATE FURTHER?

One of the questions I am frequently asked is:

“My dog’s coat has changed direction here — is this normal?”

The answer is: it can be.

Coat direction, whorls, ridges and localised changes in hair appearance are not, in isolation, a diagnosis of musculoskeletal disease.

Dogs have considerable natural variation in coat characteristics, and breed, individual conformation and coat type all need to be considered.

However, a new or unusual coat change can be an observation worth recording, particularly when it occurs alongside changes in palpation, posture, movement, behaviour or function.

🔎 LOOK AT THE WHOLE DOG — NOT JUST THE COAT

When assessing a dog, the clinically relevant question is not simply:

“What does the coat look like?”

Instead, we need to ask:

• Has the underlying tissue texture changed?

• Is there discomfort or a pain response on appropriate palpation?

• Does the dog guard, move away from or become reluctant to have an area touched?

• Is there a change in muscle development or functional capacity?

• Has posture altered?

• Has gait or movement quality changed?

• Is there reduced range or altered quality of movement?

• Has the dog’s behaviour changed — for example, increased reactivity, handling sensitivity or noise sensitivity?

These observations need to be interpreted within a proper clinical assessment.

And importantly, pain, neurological disease or other pathology should be investigated and diagnosed by a veterinary surgeon.

🧬 WHAT ABOUT MYOFASCIAL CONNECTIONS?

There is increasing interest in understanding the relationship between fascia, muscle, movement and locomotion in the dog.

Elbrønd’s 2024 descriptive dissection study examined canine myofascial kinetic lines and their relationship with function and locomotion. The study provides anatomical observations and proposes functional relationships between structures that may be relevant when considering canine movement. (Københavns Universitets Forskningsportal⁠)

More recent professional work by Elbrønd et al has continued to develop the concept of canine myofascial kinetic lines, including proposed tests and treatment points. Their 2025 contribution was presented at the 7th International Fascia Research Congress.

A new professional text published in 2026 by Elbrønd, Schultz and Due brings together their work on canine myofascial kinetic lines for professional treatment.

However, an important distinction must be made:

These publications provide an anatomical and functional framework for considering relationships between tissues and movement.

They do not establish that a particular coat pattern is a diagnostic marker for a particular disease or spinal lesion.

That distinction is essential.

🐾 CASE STUDY

The following photo is a clinical case observation and is presented to illustrate why coat changes should be considered as part of a wider assessment, rather than interpreted in isolation.

This was a dog I saw approximately one year previously.

There was an obvious change in coat direction/pattern around the thoracic region.

However, the coat appearance was not the finding that determined the clinical concern.

On assessment, there was:

🟢 Discomfort on light palpation of the lumbosacral region

🟢The dog moved away and guarded the area

🟢 Reluctance to be touched around this region

🟢 Poor movement quality during caudal thoracic flexion and extension

These findings warranted veterinary investigation/referral.

The subsequent veterinary investigation diagnosed lumbosacral disease, with the diagnosis supported by diagnostic imaging.

🔬 AN INTERESTING OBSERVATION

The most obvious coat changes were not directly over the vertebral region subsequently identified as affected on diagnostic imaging.

This is important.

It demonstrates why we should be extremely cautious about saying:

“There is a coat change here, therefore the problem is underneath it.”

That conclusion cannot be made from the coat pattern alone.

One possible interpretation is that the observed coat changes may have occurred in association with altered movement or compensatory patterns elsewhere in the body.

But this remains an interpretation of an individual case — not evidence of a causal relationship between coat change and lumbosacral disease.

🚨 SO WHEN SHOULD YOU SEEK VETERINARY ADVICE?

A coat change by itself does not necessarily mean your dog needs to see a vet.

But if a new coat change is accompanied by:

➡️ Pain or discomfort
➡️ Sensitivity to touch
➡️ Guarding or avoidance
➡️ Changes in posture
➡️ Altered gait or movement
➡️ Reduced physical function
➡️ Changes in behaviour
➡️ Reluctance to exercise or perform previously normal activities

then it is appropriate to consider veterinary assessment.

⭐ THE TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

A coat change is an observation — not a diagnosis.

Look beyond the hair.

Assess the dog, the tissues, movement, function and behaviour, and interpret those findings within an appropriate clinical framework.

Where disease is suspected, veterinary investigation is essential.

The role of the MSK therapist or physiotherapist is not to diagnose pathology from a coat pattern, but to recognise relevant changes, assess movement and function within their professional scope, and refer appropriately when veterinary investigation is indicated.

⸻

📚 REFERENCES

Elbrønd, V. S. (2024).
Canine Myofascial Kinetic Lines: A Descriptive Dissection Study Including Related Function and Locomotion and Comparison of the Human and Equine Myofascial Kinetic Lines. Open Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 14(9), 229–256.
DOI: 10.4236/ojvm.2024.149017. (Københavns Universitets Forskningsportal⁠)

Elbrønd, V. S., Schultz, R. M., & Due, T. (2026).
Canine Myofascial Kinetic Lines – for Professional Treatment. Fascialines.com, 229 pp. ISBN 978-87-973423-1-2. (Københavns Universitets Forskningsportal⁠)

Elbrønd, V. S., & Due, T. (2025).
New Tests and Treatment Points for the Canine Myofascial Kinetic Lines. Abstract presented at the 7th International Fascia Research Congress, New Orleans, USA, 10–14 August 2025. (Københavns Universitets Forskningsportal⁠)

Luomala, T., Pihlman, M., Schultz, R. M., & Elbrønd, V. S. (2025).
Atlas of the Equine and Canine Fascia System. VSE Holding ApS. (Københavns Universitets Forskningsportal⁠)

The case study described above is an individual clinical observation and should not be interpreted as evidence that coat changes are diagnostic of lumbosacral disease or other musculoskeletal pathology.

✨ THE IMPACT OF STAIRS ON YOUR DOG’S MUSCLES & JOINTS 🐾✨🤔 How many times a day does your dog run up and down the stairs?...
01/10/2026

✨ THE IMPACT OF STAIRS ON YOUR DOG’S MUSCLES & JOINTS 🐾✨

🤔 How many times a day does your dog run up and down the stairs? And how fast do they go?

It might seem like a harmless part of everyday life, but repeatedly racing up and down stairs can place extra stress on your dog’s muscles, joints and ligaments — especially if they are doing it at speed.

⬆️ GOING UP

Ascending the stairs places more load through your dog’s hind limbs, including the:

🐾 Hip
🐾 Stifle (knee)
🐾 Tarsal (hock) joints

⬇️ COMING DOWN

Descending the stairs places more load through the forelimbs, including the:

-Shoulder
-Elbow
-Carpal (wrist) joints

But stairs aren’t necessarily all bad!

Controlled stair use can provide exercise and help strengthen the muscles of the forelimbs and hind limbs in some dogs.

The key is control, moderation and avoiding speed. 🐕

So, a few simple things you can do to help protect your dog:

Consider using a stair gate to restrict access — particularly for young puppies or dogs with orthopaedic conditions.

Limit speed — discourage your dog from racing up and down the stairs.

Consider frequency — think about how often your dog is repeatedly using the stairs throughout the day.

💚 Sometimes it’s the little changes we make to our dogs’ everyday environment that can help support their joints, muscles and long-term comfort.

After all, we want our dogs to enjoy happy, active and pain-free lives for as long as possible! 🐾❤️

📸 And don’t worry — no dogs were harmed in the making of this photo! 🤣

For more information about canine arthritis and joint health:
Canine Arthritis Management⁠









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Wednesday 7am - 9pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 7am - 3pm

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