Canine Rehabilitation: A Proactive Approach to Assessing & Treating Degenerative Myelopathy

YOU are a critical component to the care of dogs with degenerative myelopathy (DM) …. Do you want to increase your knowledge and feel more confident working with dogs with DM? 

Then look no further, this CPD series is for you!!! Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a canine genetic disease most analogous with ALS, occurring in older dogs and causing progressive degeneration of the spinal cord and loss of mobility. Sadly, there is no known cure, HOWEVER, according to DVM360 “….to date only PHYSICAL THERAPY and REHABILITATION have been shown scientifically to slow disease progression and maintain quality of life for longer than untreated dogs”.

 Our role in the care of dogs with DM and supporting their owners/dog parents is so important but it can also be overwhelming, especially if you feel unequipped to create and implement a rehab plan for a dog with a progressive spinal cord disease. 

The aim of these 3 webinars is to deepen your knowledge and help you feel more confident and up-to-date to “treat” dogs with DM and support their owners. We will be reviewing: *Degenerative myelopathy and why rehab and physical therapy are so important

 *Assessment of a dog with DM for both neurologic status and overall function 

*The components of safe and supportive therapeutic exercise plans and how mobility aids may be used *The role of nutrition, modalities, and integrative therapies *Home care and hygiene 

*Existing research impacting DM How does that sound?!? 

You will have access to all 3 webinars trainings with Sarah MacKeigan from Upward Dog Rehab & Wellness. Sarah brings both her experience as a canine rehab therapist and as a dog mom when it comes to rehabbing and living with a dog with DM. 

Sarah has helped 100s online and in person with dogs with DM and has dedicated a significant portion of her practice to the review and application of existing research on DM and ALS within in her practice and educating dog parents and professionals on how to how to “treat” this disease, promote quality of life and potentially give dogs and their owners more time together. 

As professionals, when we know more, we can feel confident in creating empowering treatment plans for these dogs and their owners. A diagnosis of DM doesn’t mean it’s over… It just means it is different. ~ Sarah *************************** 

In addition to the webinars you will also have access to: 

*All of these downloadable resources *Degenerative Myelopathy pet parent fact sheet for use in your clinic

*A guide to measuring for wheels, mobility harness and leg splints from Wheels4dogs.co.uk

 *The webinar slides to keep and recap 

*Example HEPs for early and mid stages of DM

 *Current research articles on laser therapy for the DM patient 

*Laser contraindications and precautions checklist 

*All of these Mini how to video trainings 

*Fitting of the sciatic sling splint 

*Neuro testing of the canine limbs including reflex testing and proprioception special tests

Plus

Access to our community forum to connect with other therapists worldwide!!!


ALL THIS FOR JUST £99!!!

Or sign up to our annual CPD plan and you will get the next 12 months worth of CPD trainings for £539 or just £49pcm!!!!!!!


Instructor(s)

Sarah MacKeigan

Sarah MacKeigan, MBA, MScPT, Diploma Canine Rehabilitation A diagnosis of degenerative myelopathy can be devastating to a dog parent, especially when it is followed up with “... and there isn’t much you can do to slow the disease” . Evidence and experience suggest otherwise and it is my goal in life that we change the way we treat both dog owners and their dog at the time of diagnosis. We should be empowering them so they feel equipped to improve the quality of life for their dogs and potentially extend their lifespan. My name is Sarah MacKeigan and I am a canine rehabilitation therapist and licensed physiotherapist but most of all I am an inspired dog mom. My own white German Shepherd, Sammie, lived with DM for almost 5 years. Since her passing I’ve dedicated a significant portion of my practice to reviewing existing research on this disease and its corresponding disease in humans, ALS; putting research into practice, and educating dog parents and professionals on how to how to “treat” this disease, promote quality of life and potentially give dogs and their owners more time together. I’ve created the comprehensive program, “Living with Dogs with DM. 2.0”, providing both live support and weekly lessons. In addition, I interview various researchers in the field of degenerative myelopathy and spinal cord diseases, such as Dr. Steve Marsden (Degenerative Myelopathy – A Clinical Model and Strategy) and Dr Debbie Torraca (Retrospective Observational Study and Analysis of Two Different Photobiomodulation Therapy Protocols Combined with Rehabilitation Therapy as Therapeutic Interventions for Canine Degenerative Myelopathy), to provide further education to professionals working with these dogs. Having first hand experience “living” with a dog with DM, I know the emotional toil and the daily challenges of having a dog with a progressive neurologic condition. I also know how amazing it can be when you watch your dog’s mobility decline, then you introduce wheels and they take off running down the beach. As a clinician, treating a dog with DM requires a very different approach as slowing disease progression or having a dog status quo is actually a win. I believe that as professionals, when we know more, we can put together empowering treatment plans for these dogs and their owners. A diagnosis of DM doesn’t mean it’s over… It just means it is different. ~ Sarah

OR do you want your annual CPD Sorted?

Then sign up for our annual CPD subscription today and get access to all 12 of our monthly topics, 12 of our guest expert speakers, 40+ downloadable resources, 12+ mini video teachings and access to our community of worldwide small animal therapists!!

Sign up for the annual plan today for just £49PCM for 12 months

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