The Role Of Muscles

16 April, 2008 by Mal Lynch

What do a dog's muscles do? They allow the dog to be on all 4's, to move, to breath, to digest, to eliminate waste, to maintain body temperature, to affect and regulate blood flow, and to hold the skeleton together. In reality, they create movement - flexing, extending, rotating, contracting, abduction, adduction. Muscles also get excited - they talk to other muscles to get things going. Muscles work in pairs.

Does that give you an idea of how complex a muscle is? Well, then, what is it made up of? - water, fibres, connective tissue, nerves, blood vessels.

Why do the muscles injure thus requiring their owners to employ me - they injure because of a blow; overuse; a tear; faulty conformation (different breeds uniting and producing a pup with, for example, bowed legs at the front and thin spindly legs at the back or a big chest and a dainty rear end); poor nutrition (both in development stage and newly born); incorrect preparation prior to a race (greyhounds are a classic example). Muscles also tighten because of over-extension (greyhounds again); over-exertion (throwing a frisbee and dog jumping up); and overload (too much of the good life - too much food)

When muscles are tight or stressed, they shorten causing the joints to ride closer together, thus restricting movement and hence the limping; dragging of the feet, wearing out / filing down the toe nails and poor elevation of the limb.

How do you know when a muscle is injured (beside the obvious limping) - there will be redness (or some form of discolouration); swelling; hot or cold spots; decrease in range of movement; dog will be non-weight bearing; the affected muscle may be wasting away; the hair will be standing upright.

So your dog has an injury - is limping - so you call me to find out what the benefits of massage are: an increase in the dog's range of movement; increase in fluid in a tight muscle; increase in blood circulation; increase in flexibility; increase in length of connective tissue; decrease in pain; decrease in inflammation; decrease in toxins in the poor chap's body, to name a few. An added benefit of a massage is that the dog receives a free groom - There will be a lot - even dogs that don't normally shed will shed during a massage. Thankfully we masseurs do not get fur balls from our clients!

Always consult a vet first when there is excessive swelling; excessive heat and obvious weight bearing lameness.

Mal Lynch may be contacted on 0408 012 810; email: maldaisy@vic.australis.com.au or her website: http://caninefelinemassage.tripod.com