Experience the Benefits of Canine Massage in Fort Worth for Your Beloved Dog
At University Animal Hospital, we are committed to offering comprehensive care for your furry family members. Our canine massage in Fort Worth is designed to provide your dog with a soothing and therapeutic experience, massage therapy & veterinary medicine working hand and paw to help keep your precious pet healthy and happy!
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What is Canine Massage?
Canine massage is a specialized form of massage therapy tailored to meet the unique needs of dogs. Our trained and certified canine massage therapists use gentle, hands-on techniques to manipulate your dog’s muscles and soft tissues, helping to alleviate tension, promote relaxation, and improve overall physical and emotional health.
Benefits of Canine Massage in Fort Worth
Our canine massage services offer numerous benefits for dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds. Some of the key benefits include:
Pain relief
Massage can help alleviate discomfort caused by conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, and muscle strains.
Improved circulation
Massage promotes blood flow, helping to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your dog’s muscles and tissues.
Reduced stress and anxiety
Massage has a calming effect on the nervous system, helping dogs to feel more relaxed and at ease.
Enhanced flexibility and mobility
Regular massage can help maintain and improve your dog’s range of motion, making it easier for them to move and play.
Faster recovery from injury or surgery
Massage can aid in the healing process by reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair.
Strengthened immune system
By stimulating the lymphatic system, massage helps to remove toxins and boost your dog’s immune system.
Our Canine Massage Services
At University Animal Hospital, we offer a variety of canine massage services to meet the individual needs of your pet. Our certified canine massage therapists will work with you to develop a personalized massage plan based on your dog’s specific health needs and wellness goals.
Specific Medical Reasons to Seek Massage for Your Pets Health:
- With busy lives our inside dogs, much like ourselves, don’t get enough exercise. When they have no way to work off the energy in their food it turns into fat. The fat makes it harder for them to breathe, and puts additional strain on their hearts and joints. They also do not engage in large joint movements which has the effect of increasing the movement of tissue fluid from the extremities to the heart, aka, lymphatic drainage (their immune system).
- The Massage we offer is much more then “rubbing” your pet. Massage is a way to maintain an ongoing assessment of your pet. Working along with the therapist, you become more aware of how you dog is moving and acting. Any unfamiliar heat, shape, texture or reaction to touch, may be a reason to pay closer attention and possibly seek the vet’s guidance.
- Medical Massage is especially effective in helping dogs in post traumatic, post surgery rehabilitation. It is presented as a type of gentle physical therapy. The work focuses primarily on the affected parts of the animal’s body.
- Sometimes the symptoms that our pets present us with are not the real problem. For example, a limp in the forelimb can be a pulled muscle in the back, a massage can help get to the root of the problem.
Our canine massage services in Fort Worth include:
Relaxation massage: A gentle massage designed to promote relaxation and stress relief for your dog.
Therapeutic massage: A more targeted massage focusing on specific areas of discomfort or tension, helping to alleviate pain and improve mobility.
Sports massage: A massage tailored for active and athletic dogs, helping to prevent injuries and enhance performance.
Geriatric massage: A specialized massage for senior dogs, designed to address age-related discomfort and promote overall wellness.
Side Effects
As with any form of manual treatment or prescription medication there can be side effects that your pet may experience. Generally, the effects are mild and the benefits from the treatment outweigh the other possible side effects. However it is important to be aware of what to look for.
The effects after a massage may include:
- Next day stiffness and soreness
- Thirst. Your dog’s digestive track and metabolism have been stimulated. It is very important to keep fresh water available for his/her hydration.
- Limping. It is highly unlikely that your dog will have been injured during a gentle massage. Muscle memory has been stimulated. Your dog may temporarily re-experience old unreleased behaviors and memories held in the fascia around “healed” injuries and traumas.
- Drowsiness and lethargy due to release of melatonin and other hormones into the bloodstream.
- Hyperactivity. Your dog may feel so good that he overexerts, possibly injuring himself. Restrict activity as necessary to prevent self injury from over activity due to release of endorphins and Cortisol into blood.
- Inattentiveness. Your dog’s body has been in a process called re-education, or reprogramming. He may be confused with the new programming. It may take 24 to 48 hours for the new information to fully integrate.
- Urination. Your dog may need to empty his bladder more frequently.
- Fever. Your dog’s autoimmune system is stimulated.
If your dog’s condition worsens, does not appear better, or back to normal in 48 hours, or if you have questions or concerns, contact our office.
(Ref: Healing Crisis, The Nature of Animal Healing , Goldstein, Martin, DVM, pp. 163-164, Ballantine Publishing Group, 1999)
Schedule a Canine Massage Appointment Today
Experience the benefits of canine massage in Fort Worth for your beloved dog by scheduling an appointment with our certified canine massage therapists at University Animal Hospital. Give us a call at 817-921-5429 to learn more about our services or to book a session. Let us help your dog achieve optimal health and wellness through the power of therapeutic touch.
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