Specializing in Canine Hydrotherapy, Rehabilitation, and Fitness, Squirrel Lodge is based in the UK.
Paula Teal (DSc, BSc Hons, MIRVAP) shares her experience with us, highlighting the usefulness of both static and dynamic objective data in her practice, in collaboration with veterinarians.
Static data & dynamic data
Partnering with veterinarians, Paula is referred to establish rehabilitation programs for animals with locomotor issues. The goals are to :
- maintain or improve function & range of motion (ROM)
- preserve or increase muscle mass
- enhance gait patterns
- provide pain relief
- reduce inflammation
- maintain or boost fitness in working/competitive sporting dogs
- aid recovery from injury or surgery
- assist in managing long-term conditions.
Equipped with locomotion analysis technologies (Stance Analyzer and Tendiboots Canine), Paula complements her visual observations with objective data. These analysis reports are then shared with owners and/or veterinarians to ensure effective collaboration and successful care for the dogs.
“Dynamic and static data are complementary. I initially used only static analysis, but I am now equipped with Tendiboots Canine to also analyze locomotion dynamically.
At the Centre, we work with dogs needing rehabilitation following surgery or injury, as well as with the management of long-term conditions.
We also assist those who want to look their best for the show ring or achieve that extra ‘edge’ in the sporting world.
Our facilities include a large hydrotherapy pool with a ramp and various equipment designed to improve core strength, stability, balance, proprioception, gait patterns, and range of motion. We offer hydrotherapy, manual therapies, electrotherapies, exercise prescriptions, and computer-assisted stance and gait analysis.
The stance analyzer focuses on a dog’s weight-bearing in static conditions, while Tendiboots Canine is a dynamic tool that collects locomotion parameters.
We provide detailed reports on the dog’s stance and gait to both owners and their veterinarians.
Veterinary surgeons and fellow therapists are encouraged to refer clients to us for computer-assisted stance and gait analysis.
Our advanced stance and gait analyzer captures multiple readings per second to assess how a dog stands and moves. It evaluates weight distribution across all limbs and provides insights into the dog’s center of gravity, which is crucial for balance. When analyzing gait, the system measures impact force, stride duration, stride length, stride height, and ground support time.
This comprehensive analysis can detect subtle changes in gait long before they become visible through standard visual assessments. The insights gained allow for informed decisions regarding future treatments and management, helping to focus on specific limbs that require attention and plan overall management, including addressing potential compensatory issues in other joints.
Dogs can be referred solely for analysis to assist in diagnosis and for follow-up assessments to monitor treatment progress and effectiveness. This service is available even if the dog is not receiving therapy from us.” — Paula Teal
How dynamic data helps in hydrotherapy: Paula Teal's explanation
“For me, objective data provides far more insight into how the dog is moving compared to static information. It can reveal details that even the most trained eye might miss, simply because it gathers so much more information.
Tendiboots Canine captures in 9 seconds what you might not notice in such detail for each leg, no matter how long you’ve been observing dogs. It’s much more detailed and accurate. In some cases, dynamic data is particularly useful and precise, from my perspective.
When the dog is in motion, which is the core focus of therapy, even for a dog with a progressive condition, the goal is to maintain functional movement for as long as possible. For instance, with older dogs or those with spinal or muscle-wasting diseases, the primary objective is to keep them moving as long as possible. As long as the dog can perform basic tasks like getting up, going outside, and returning indoors, they are usually content. Therefore, focusing on functional movement is key, and I find tracking dynamic data much more useful for this purpose.
I believe dynamic measurements provide a better average. While stance analysis can involve multiple readings, I’m not convinced it’s as accurate because dogs might lean forward to reach their owner or a treat, which can skew the results. In contrast, Tendiboots system averages data over 10 walks per exam, providing a more reliable figure in my opinion.
I still collect static data because I think it’s beneficial to compare the two.
Sometimes, for example, the dynamic system might reveal a potential weight-bearing lameness on the left forelimb, which is then confirmed by the stance analysis showing less weight on that limb. This cross-verification between the two types of analysis remains valuable.
Another example where dynamic data proved invaluable involved a dog with an orthopedic issue. The clinical observations made by the veterinarian did not pinpoint the exact problem, and an MRI was not an option in this case. To advance our investigation, we utilized the Tendiboots Canine system. The dynamic data provided by Tendiboots helped identify a specific area that needed further exploration. The results were consistent with the clinical observations and proved crucial in addressing the dog’s pain effectively.”
Want to know more about Tendiboots™ Canine?
Find all the information about the Squirrel Lodge Centre at: https://squirrellodgecentre.co.uk
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