Chloe Tuckwell Veterinary Physiotherapy

Stay vigilant

We have been made aware of strangles in the area.
Strangles is caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus equi that can be easily spread directly through horse-to-horse contact and indirectly, for example through contaminated equipment, handler clothing and boots. It’s so-called because the airway can become restricted by swollen lymph nodes.

While strangles is not spread through the air (airborne), the bacteria can spread when a horse coughs or snorts.
If you suspect strangles:
*Isolate the horse(s) affected.
*Call your vet.
*Contact owner(s) – including those of horses who have been in contact with the affected horse.
*Monitor other horses on your yard for signs of infection.
*Spread the word, not the disease – tell people such as your farrier and any nearby equine property.

Symptoms:
*Fever
*Loss of appetite
*Depression
*Marked ‘snotty’ nasal discharge
*Lymph node swelling and abscesses (mainly in the head and neck region)
*Coughing
Remember not all horses will show all (or any) of these signs
‍
Most animals recover quickly and uneventfully often with minimal treatment. However, some horses become very ill for several days and a few (around 2%) may be more serious.

The incubation period of strangles varies from 7 to 14 days. However, because infected horses can shed the bacterium for long periods, the interval between new cases in an outbreak can be far longer, up to 3 weeks or more.

Prevention:
*Good bio security can reduce the likelihood of getting strangles in the first place
*At home use separate buckets, equipment and grooming kits for each horse
*Anyone moving between yards should wash hands, change clothes and disinfect boots between yards
*When at shows, don't let horses have nose to nose contact, don't share buckets
*Disinfect boots and clothing after going to a show
*Keep written records of all horses that enter and leave the premises
*All new horses should be isolated for at least 2 weeks, and after the 2 week period the strangles blood test should be done, to check for potential carrier status
*Vaccination- not widely used in the UK
‍
The number of strangles outbreaks in the UK has increased in recent years and particular care must be taken to ensure that animals do not become infected and pass the infection on to other horses. We understand that these outbreaks are challenging for horse owners and yards as a whole but open, honest communication and early action can prevent these outbreaks becoming a huge problem. If you have any suspicions or concerns please feel free to call us for a chat and we will help in any way we can 01626 824600.

We spent some time over the weekend at Billy’s favourite beach - Bantham!

He loves it because the sand is kind to his tiny feet and the water is calm (waves are apparently VERY scary entities that pose a very real threat to his well-being 🤦🏼‍♀️)

⭐️GOOD DOG OWNER ETIQUETTE⭐️

💩Poop! - pick it up. Every time! Dog poo contains neosporosis which can result in miscarriages in farm animals. It also contains sarcocystosis which can cause neurological disease and death in sheep. Please pick it up!

🟡 The Yellow Lead - see a dog with a yellow lead? They’re nervous! Pop your dog on a lead and keep your distance

🔴 Never let your off lead dog approach an on lead dog without permission. That dog is on a lead for a reason, and that reason may be harmful to your dog. The consequences of any bad reaction due to your off lead dog approaching an on lead dog is your fault!

💊 THE PILL NINJAS💊

If you have a dog, chances are that at some point, you’ve had to give them medication in the form of a pill. Some of these dogs have undertaken undercover training to master the art of spitting them out!

I once fostered a dog who was an absolute delight. She had a minor infection and needed antibiotics - these pills were HUGE. So, as I got these pills ready, thinking how on earth am I going to trick this dog into eating these, she sits in front of me and looks at me like I’m holding the best treat in the world. I offered her the pill to show her it wasn’t a tasty treat and lo and behold, she takes it out of my hand, crunches it down and asks for more! If only every dog were like her!

If you’ve exhausted all the norms, here’s a few ideas.

💊 Bugle crisps - you know the cone shaped ones? Dogs can discern texture so popping a hard pill inside a piece of cheese or ham or peanut butter is just too easy. Mix the textures up! Stick the pill inside a bugle and fill it with cream cheese.

💊The Bait and Switch - get your disguising food of choice. Throw an empty piece without the pill, quickly followed by another, quickly followed by the one with the pill inside, and then another empty one.

💊 Dogs are CLEVER! Don’t use the same method too many times in a row. Dogs are clever creatures and they WILL catch on!

💊 can your medication come in a different form? Maybe it comes in a powder you can sprinkle over the food instead - it’s definitely worth asking your vet!

Do you guys have any tips and tricks for getting those meds down? Let me know in the comments!

Contact info:
☎️ 01548 853322 or 07933938096
📧 [email protected] or [email protected]

💅🐶MANICURED PAWS🐶💅

Your dogs claws are INCREDIBLY important. Getting your puppy used to you fussing their feet and claws will save you a lifetime of stress!
Let me tell you why they’re so important…

🐶 Pain free walking - when long nails touch the floor (when you hear them click-clacking down the road), it puts pressure through the nail beds and causes pain in the joints of the toes. This also forces your dog to try and flatten his toes against the floor to relieve the discomfort…have you seen an older dog with very flat feet? This could be a contributing factor
🐶 Posture - long nails digging into the nail bed force your dog to change their posture. This adapted posture is abnormal and will not be comfortable in the long term!
🐶 Keeping your dogs nails nice and short in early life will prevent the quicks from becoming very long. In some older dogs, the nails cannot be trimmed because the quicks have become too long. Keeping shorter nails through your pets life prevents this.

Contact info:
☎️ 01548 853322 or 07933938096
📧 [email protected] or [email protected]

2/2

🐶HIP DYSPLASIA🐶

HD is definitively diagnosed through x-rays and/or CT or MRI imaging.

Depending on the severity of the HD, the condition can be managed surgically or conservatively.

Non-surgical management will include strict exercise regimes with managed daily exercise and prescribed home exercises. body weight management, Physiotherapy/hydrotherapy and medication.

Surgical treatment of HD are divided into hip anatomy modifying procedures or salvage surgery procedure. The most common surgeries for HD are a Total Hip Replacement (metal implants) or a Femoral Head and Neck Excision where the head and neck of the femur are removed allowing a false, fibrous joint to form (how cool is that?!)

Contact info:
☎️ 01548 853322 or 07933938096
📧 [email protected] or [email protected]

1/2

🐶HIP DYSPLASIA🐶

Hip dysplasia (HD) is a canine genetic condition where there is a tendency towards development of hip laxity in early life. It is not congenital as dogs are born with morphological normal hips and the stabilising soft tissue structures become loose within the first few weeks of life.
Consequentially, the ball and socket joint changes shape and no longer fits. The ball of the hip becomes flattened and the socket becomes more shallow and saucer-shaped. All dogs with hip dysplasia develop secondary osteoarthritis of the hip joint.

Although primarily genetic, environmental factors can play a part in the development of HD such as obesity during puppyhood.
It is important to acknowledge that environmental factors are unable to cause HD, rather they can determine if dogs that carry the genes for HD will display clinical symptoms.

HD most frequently affects large rapidly growing breeds although any dog can be affected. It is most commonly diagnosed between 6 and 12 months.

Symptoms include exercise intolerance, difficulty climbing or jumping, stiffness or lameness.

Contact info:
☎️ 01548 853322 or 07933938096
📧 [email protected] or [email protected]

3/3

What causes poll tension?

Several common activities can cause tension in the poll.
These include but are not limited to:
🐴 Dental problems
🐴 Hay nets - a horse that takes the hay from a net from the same side every time will cause discomfort. A hay net that is tied too high will also cause damage.
🐴 Lunging - circles are hard work! Small circles require compensation that will contribute to poll tightness
🐴 Uneven tension on the reins - riders are right or left handed just like our horses. Many riders are subconsciously heavier on one side than the other and can causes resistance.

There are many things we can do to relieve poll tension, if you are suspicious of poll tension in your own horse, please get in touch.

You do not have to be a client at Selworthy Vets, we can send a consent form and get you booked in.

Contact info
☎️ 01548 853333 or 07933938096
📧 [email protected] or [email protected]

2/3

The muscles of the poll are comprised of 3 separate muscles in the re**us capitis group. I will almost always treat them as a whole so will refer to them collectively.

The re**us capitis muscles are located at the back of the head, either side of the ears and anchor to the base of the skull and about 8 inches down the neck.

When acting together, these muscles flex the head down towards the chest and when acting separately, they incline the head to the left or right.

Although relatively small, these muscles are key to the horses freedom and ease of movement. Horse movement begins in the hindquarters and flows like a wave to the front of the horse. If there is discomfort and tension, this will interrupt the completion of the wave.

Trouble signs can include leaning on one side, a change in the way of going, unwillingness to step through underneath themselves, suddenly knocking poles or refusing jumps or does not like being touched in the poll region.

Part 3 on Friday!

Contact info
☎️ 01548 853333 or 07933938096
📧 [email protected] or [email protected]

1/3

Heavy on one rein, resists bending, resists a consistent contact…sound familiar?

When a horse owner mentions any of these, I am generally not surprised if, after completing an assessment of the horse, we find tightness in the muscles of the poll.

This is an issue I encounter in horses of all disciplines and can causes multiple issues.

I’ll go into further detail on Wednesday, but for now, if any of the above sound familiar then your horse may benefit from an assesssment.

I work for Selworthy Vets, but you do not need to be registered with Selworthy in order to book in, we can just send a consent form to your registered vets.

Contact info:
☎️ 01548 853322 or 07933938096
📧 [email protected] or [email protected]
Or DM me here!

Keeping the old man fighting fit!

Polework should never be underestimated! They are so versatile with so many different layouts.

Alternate raised poles for improved flexion and core engagement / strengthening

The veterinary profession has a higher su***de rate than any other industry.

‘We are exhausted and burntout’: Vets in crisis Vets are no strangers to pressure, but Covid and the huge boom in pets means they have never been busier – or experienced so much stress. Will Coldwell hears why so many are now turning their backs on the profession they love

⭐Nominations Open!⭐

Head to www.equestrianbusinessawards.co.uk/nominate

Categories include:

-Farrier
-Retailer
-Horse Transporter
- Event Venue
-Saddle Fitter
-Equine Dentist
-Equine Therapist
-Livery Yard
-Riding School
-Equine Service
-Riding Instructor
-Behavioural Trainer
-Vet Practice
-Charity
-Diversity in Business
-Equestrian Tech
-Social Influencer
-Groom

Officially done for 2021!

A massive thank you to all of my clients this year, I hope you all have a really fabulous Christmas with your furry family members ❤️

I may be off for Christmas and new year but I’m always available to message if you have any problems and I’ll help where I can!

Merry Christmas to you and yours ❤️

🔴🔴Blog 2 🔴🔴

How small adaptations at home can improve quality of life and reduce the risk of injury for our dogs

I often recommend some small changes or adjustments at home for owners and canine patients. Some changes are patient specific but others can be beneficial for the majority of our four-legged friends.

As a Veterinary Physiotherapist, I look at the way a dog moves and how they hold themselves. A healthy dog will carry 60% of his weight over his front legs an 40% over his back legs. This weight distribution can be interrupted or changed by injury or repetition of a particular movement. As an example, owners that place their pets' food bowl on the floor encourage the dog to increase the load on the front legs. For dogs with a forelimb lameness or discomfort in the neck area, this can be detrimental to their recovery process. On the other hand, dogs with a hindlimb lameness are asked to put even more load through the front limbs which are already compensating for weakened hindlimbs, therefore putting more stress through a structure which is already working harder than normal. Raising your dogs food and water bowls can help to distribute weight evenly and encourage them to keep their neck and back straight.

Surfaces
Do you have hard wood or laminate flooring at home? Do you see your dog slip on these surfaces? Slipping on home surfaces is a risk for injury for our dogs, especially for those that are already challenged during movement as is the case with our older dog. It is however a risk to younger dogs also as they race around the house slipping as they go! Sometimes, it is not the big slips that do the most damage, it's the tiniest of 'jolts' that they experience as they set off from standing.

A cheap and easy solution to this is runner mats. Placing some mats down on those slippery areas, especially where there is a change in surface level, can provide a stable surface for them to help to prevent injury.


The Stairs
Navigating stairs at home can also be risky business. If your dog is allowed to roam freely at home, it may be worth taking the time to either train them to go slowly up and down, or introducing a baby-gate, so that they can be accompanied as they go! Navigating stairs requires a strong core and good range of motion of the limbs, so stairs can be tricky for even a healthy dog. Keep this in mind with our older dogs as they may need some extra help from you.

The Car
Jumping in and out of the car...
Jumping into a car requires strong pelvic limbs, and jumping out of the car is an incredible shock to the muscles and joints in the shoulder. When our dogs do this almost everyday throughout their lives, we are adding a huge, repetitive load to their legs, predisposing them to injury or weakness. Personally, even in a young dog, I would always be lifting my dog out of the car to protect those front legs and shoulders! In older dogs or dogs with musculoskeletal issues, it may be sensible to invest in a ramp into and out of your car.

Trust me, the effort is worth it.

These examples of small adaptations at home can really reduce the risk of injury in your pet, can aid the recovery process after injury/surgery and improve the quality of life of your dogs.

If you would like to discuss how we can help your dog further, please get in touch by calling 01548 853322, texting 07933938096 or emailing [email protected]

🔴🔴BLOG 1 🔴🔴

Consent in the canine patient


Consent. It is a concept that we are all familiar with and is something we educate to the masses all over the globe. No means no and regardless of your own agenda, that decision must always be respected. Consent is defined as “permission for something to happen or agreement to do something”. Unfortunately, we seem to be taking this ability to give consent away from our dogs all too often in order to force cooperation.When our own dogs say no, we assume they are misbehaving but we must, as our first port of call, eliminate the possibility of pain.

Throughout my training it became very clear to me that when issues arise where a dog very clearly tells us NO, the problem may not be the action we want to perform. Perhaps it is not the inherent discomfort experienced when grooming painful dogs or the often unavoidable displeasure of veterinary care, but the nature of force. Perhaps it isn’t the needle insertion for a blood test but the restraint, it isn’t the shower but being man-handled into the basin, it’s not the clipping of the nails but the transfer of weight onto a painful limb...

This is not a new concept. Progressive zoos across the globe train their animals to volunteer desired behaviours, suggesting that animals are capable of tolerating something asked of them that is painful, as long as they are provided with the ability to choose.

How do we gain consent from a non-verbal being, you ask? It’s easy to do with a little practice, as long as you are prepared and willing to accept no as an answer...every time.

We cannot possibly hope to gain informed consent from an animal that cannot verbally say yes, or has limited comprehension about our need to perform procedures that are beneficial to their health. So, we must think of it more as interpreting behaviour to assume our dog is interested in participating in the task. This is where we must be prepared for our dogs to say no and listen to them when they do.


Personally, I obtain consent from all dogs that I see and I have found that once it is learned that there is a choice to be made, rather than just our way or be restrained/muzzled, aversive behaviour reduces or is eliminated. The dog does not skip all the warning behaviours and go straight to growling or snapping, because that is the only way they know how to be listened to. The events become calmer.

We have everything to gain from this practice. Giving our dogs the choice to say no could make them more willing in the future. Obviously, this isn’t always practical and for the sake of their welfare we must sometimes override their decisions (for example, when surgical procedures must be undertaken). It is, however, sensible to assume that dogs cannot be expected to do everything our way, every time and have no objections…especially when pain is a factor.

Canine consent is incredibly important to me. During my sessions I will always invite the dog to enter the treatment room before me and invite them into the aquatic treadmill first. If I get told no, I will wait however long it takes and politely ask again. If I keep receiving the same answer, treatment stops and we will try again next time. Unfortunately, the majority of my clients are painful to some degree which can make consent a tricky business, but I treat every dog with the same level of respect. I find I build relationships with my clients quickly and I am yet to meet a dog that refuses me their consent after discovering the choice and subsequent productivity of our sessions is all theirs. When a dog becomes a willing participant in their therapy programme, the timeline accelerates, and you will see the benefits in their movement and behaviour.

Next time your dog says no, especially those that are elderly and/or living with pain, please listen and think, did I ask for your consent?

I am available at Selworthy Vets, please give me a call to book in for a full assessment and advice on how I can help.

01548 853322, [email protected]
Selworthy Veterinary Group

Chloe Tuckwell Veterinary Physiotherapy updated their business hours.

Congratulations Tilly! Well deserved!

Myth-busting Monday: "But my dog runs around like a lunatic on walks....he can't possibly be in pain!"

Behaviourists will commonly refer clients to vets and physios due to suspicion of pain, either before or during our work with your dog. Clients are often understandably resistant because their dog is still running about on walks, playing with toys and not crying or limping.

However, around 60% of dogs who see behaviourists for behaviour problems are thought to be in chronic pain.

Chronic pain is not like acute (sudden, temporary) pain. The dog is unlikely to be crying and may not be lame. They may still run around and not show any obvious physical problems. This is because chronic pain goes on and on and on. The dog may have been suffering for months or even years, (s)he may have even been in pain since birth.

Just like humans, dogs with chronic pain adapt. This doesn't mean the pain has gone, it just means they have learnt to compensate for it: they shift weight onto other parts of the body; they guard their body parts with tense muscles; they develop behavioural changes to protect themselves (such as aggression or avoidance); and they learn ways to 'just get on with it'.

It's also worth bearing in mind the powerful effect of adrenaline and endorphins. These act like painkillers. When our dogs are romping around, playing with their buddies or chasing a toy, they have high levels of adrenaline and endorphins, so may not be noticing much pain at that moment in time.

Often these behavioural problems will come out once the dog has been resting for a while. They may snap at people 'out of the blue' whilst being cuddled, when you are putting their harness on or wiping their paws. They may guard their beds or their spot on the sofa, because they don't want to have to get up. They may be aggressive when they are startled or reactive to sounds which cause them to jump, because this hurts their sore muscles. They may be hyperactive because they cannot find a comfortable place to rest, or lethargic and 'stubborn' because it's hurts to do what we ask.

Many behaviour problems can be caused or exacerbated by pain. So please don't think we are wasting your time or money when we ask you to take your dog to a veterinary professional for an assessment. We are doing this because we have significant reason to believe your dog may be in pain. Modifying behaviour in a dog whose behaviour is fuelled by pain is incredibly difficult, if not impossible, so it's important to rule this out. Pain is also a major welfare concern and, if left untreated, can shorten a dog's life.

🦠 Covid-19 update 🦠

Animal welfare as well as therapist and client safety continues to be my priority.

After receiving guidance from my governing body I will still be treating cases where animal welfare will be affected without physiotherapeutic intervention. This includes post operative rehab, injury, degenerative disease etc. Unfortunately I am not currently able to treat maintenance cases such as general checks and sports performance.

Each case will be assessed on an individual basis, risk assessed, and the appropriate action taken. Those requesting treatment that currently do not meet the required criteria will be placed on a waiting list and contacted as soon as I am able to see you.

As always, I am still available my text, phone or messenger for any questions you may have, so please do not hesitate to contact me.

Stay safe, see you on the flip side! Go and enjoy some lovely walks and keep your minds and body’s healthy!

Chloe x

My good friend Amber is doing a giveaway today for a leather dog collar! Let’s support our small businesses, give her a like and share some Christmas love ❤️

Still Only 10 entries so far
Simply like the page Mustang Bams
And comment "win" in the comments section
Winner announced Christmas eve
And contacted:)

Over Rugging, by our vet Lucy Carmichael

As temperatures drop, it’s tempting to reach for one of the rugs in our horse’s wardrobe. However, when we want to throw on the layers, doing the same for them may not be the right choice. There are significant differences in the way horses stay warm to the way that we do, for example:

• Unclipped horses already have a thick, hairy coat. This coat contains natural oils to repel water, and, if required, small muscles can contract, causing the hairs to stand on end (much like when we get goosebumps). This traps air between the hair and skin, providing an additional layer of insulation

• Horses have the benefit of a wider thermoneutral zone- for humans this is 25-35˚C, whereas the horse’s thermoneutral zone extends much lower, 5-25˚C. The thermoneutral zone is the temperature range at which an animal does not have to expend any energy to keep warm. This means that horses remain comfortable at significantly lower temperatures compared to us

• Where we have an appendix, horses have a caecum. The caecum acts as a ‘fermentation vat’, where bacteria break down feed and produce heat. Breakdown of forage generates the most heat. Therefore, a diet of low-calorie forage is far more effective for keeping your horse warm than putting on a rug

• Horses can efficiently divert their blood flow from the extremities to the internal organs, maintaining their core temperature. This is why their ears sometimes feel cold to touch, and it is important to see how warm they are by feeling inside the armpit or taking a re**al temperature (See our video on how to take your horse’s TPR here - https://youtu.be/_bug-U1-hMg)

• During movement, or even shivering, contraction of the large muscles of the body burns energy and releases heat

Over-rugging will affect your horse’s ability to regulate its body temperature and may cause significant distress if they get too hot. Extreme heat stress may result in dehydration, increased heart and respiratory rates, lethargy and even colic. There are long term implications too. When rugged, your horse will use less energy, and the excess will be converted to fat, predisposing them Equine Metabolic Syndrome and laminitis in the spring. Therefore, rather than rugging, providing appropriate shelter and ample forage are likely to be more effective ways of keeping your horse warm through the winter.

There are cases, of course, when rugging is appropriate- horses standing in, or those which are clipped will need a rug. However, numerous factors should be considered when choosing which type and weight, including the environment, type of shelter available and the weather. Remember that you are likely to be making this decision in the morning, when the temperature is probably several degrees cooler than it will be in the middle of the day.

For further advice on rugging in the winter, call our team on 01323 815120

Busy squeezing everything you can into the end of the competition season? Or are things starting to heat up as we enter hunt season?

Now is the time to book in a Veterinary Physiotherapy session to get a muscular health check and ensure your horse is in tip top condition!

Same goes for our working dogs about to enter the shooting season. Prime condition ensures prime performance 💪🏻

Call me on 07933938096 or 01548 853322 to book in or for a no obligation chat about how I can help.

The lovely Nell! Fantastic first session with this little bean 🥰

⭐️AVAILABILITY⭐️

I’ll be treating horses near Newton Abbott on Monday 3rd August and near Plymstock on Wednesday 5th and have spaces available for others nearby.

⭐️Please message me if you’re over that way and would like a treatment ⭐️

No better way to relax after a long day at work.....

Show me your best/favourite ‘between the ears’ shot!

I had some really interesting CPD with Celtic SMR about laser therapy and hip arthritis...there were some great studies to read in there as well!

We complete CPD (continuing professional development) to make sure we stay on top of our game, and keep up to date with all the latest treatment protocols and advancements in order to provide the best care for your pet 🥰

I had a fantastic time today at a jumping clinic with Ian Wright at Collaton Farm...despite the rain. It’s amazing how much you forget when you haven’t had a good lesson in nearly ten years!

I can highly recommend Ian, he takes into account how we as riders can influence a horses movement, and as he says, it’s all about the horse!

If anyone is in need of a sympathetic and knowledgable instructor, go and check out his website and get in touch!

Thank you to Andrea for lending me your kindest and most honest steed. And thank you Ian....I’ll be sore tomorrow!

https://www.ianwrightequestrian.co.uk

Professional Equestrian Training in South West UK Based in North Devon, Ian Wright is a well-respected professional equestrian trainer offering a wide range of services for you and your horse.