Canine Senses

30/03/2026

If your dog is constantly licking or chewing their paws, it’s not just a quirky habit, it’s a signal. In many cases, it’s your dog’s way of telling you their immune system is reacting to something in their environment. Grass, pollen, lawn chemicals, and everyday irritants can build up on their paws with every step outside. The good news is that something as simple as a daily paw soak can dramatically reduce that exposure and bring real relief, often without the need for medications.
My blog walks you through a gentle, effective at-home routine that helps remove allergens, calm inflammation, and support healing from the outside in. It also covers when to look deeper, including yeast overgrowth, food sensitivities, or parasites, so you can address the root cause, not just the symptoms.
Link to my article, in the comments ⬇️🐾

27/03/2026

Yeast in dogs

YEAST WEEK: POST 4/5 THE ROLE OF YEAST IN WEIRD KIDNEY ISSUES...

An undiagnosed internal yeast infection can cause other issues for the patient beyond gut dysbiosis, compromised gut lining, food intolerances and skin issues. It can also induce kidney disease. Here's how it works:

Yesterday we showed you how an internal yeast bloom in the gut lining causes havoc in the gut, leading to degradation of the gut lining resulting in IBD-type diagnoses and food intolerances via "leaky gut".

This is why we advise in such patients, if diet (investigating for food intolerances) with pre/probiotic therapy isn't working for such patients, the very next place to focus on is yeast.

It's well known that 80% of your immune system is around your gut. This is why chronic gut issues cause such large amounts of inflammation - you are kicking the bee hive.

Systemic inflammation increases the amount of circulating immune mediators and metabolic waste, which the kidneys must filter and regulate.

Think of them like a 6 lane highway - the kidneys can take a lot of traffic, God knows, but sometimes, particularly if already under stress, adding more traffic can change things from 3pm normal flowing traffic to 5 o'clock rush hour. Now they start to struggle and it shows up in their blood readings.

Often when you relieve the pressure (in this case by putting the yeast bloom back in the box with Yeast Defeat), the inflammation drops and the kidneys resume normal function.

However, there is a second, often missed issue, and that is the leaky gut that yeast causes doesn't just let undigested food particles through the gut lining barrier, driving intolerances. Sometimes, in very compromised patients, some of the yeast cells themselves can escape in. Now they have access to the blood-rich capillaries beneath. Like wet wipes down the loo, their inevitable destination is the body's filtering system, the kidneys.

Studies show mice with Candida infections developed progressive sepsis and renal insufficiency, with kidney fungal burden correlating with the severity of renal failure.

Termed Candidemia, human and rodent studies show us that levels of various inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF, MCP-1, KC, G-CSF, MIP-2) are shown to rise in the kidneys of such patients, resulting in kidney lesions.

While quick there are quick home tests that can quickly tell you if there's an active problem in the gut / gut lining, vets often miss the fact the kidneys are not just dealing with gut inflammation but yeast running amok internally.

So if you have a pet with strange / unexplained / idiopathic kidney disease, and you can't seem to get this right, particularly if they have a gut dysbiosis (shown by a stool check), consider the fact it might be yeast driving that dysbiosis and thus kidney disease.

Yeast Defeat is not only safe to use in such dogs but by putting in the remedy (instead of going down the analysis-paralysis route), you can add the product for 2 weeks then re-test the bloods.

I've helped a number of patients with strange kidney diseases in this manner. Hope it helps.

26/03/2026

Movement adaptation due to compensation

So how do we analyse our own dogs and see this?

SAID Principle: The body adapts specifically to the stress placed upon it. Conditioning exercises must mimic the forces and movements (acceleration, turning, bending) a dog experiences in daily life or sport to build appropriate strength and prevent injury.

This is why canine conditioning is so important.

Take (normal conformation of the breed as well as your individual dog)

Observe how they
Stand
Sit
Drop
Turn

Wide or narrow base to legs front vs rear

Do they stand under themselves or rock forward

Narrow or wide thoracic to pelvic limb

Once we train ourselves to notice minute changes we can affect treatment and conditioning to address these

Why?
Improves speed and performance
Proprioception and coordination
Enhanced balance
Improved sports performance
Reduced injury risk

Take a simple exercise you repeat in any sport
Showing (left circle and shoe side assymetry)
Agility and jumping
Sprint dog
Obedience

Think about the stresses applied with just one movement.

What muscles are involved does it look balanced.

More in this section soon!

For group education or individual assessment please dm me. Thanks

16/03/2026

Exercise is important as well as the ability to adjust the program we design for our dogs

Exercise therapy for managing OA 🦴
Veterinarians have a host of therapeutic options for their patients suffering from OA, including oral medications, targeted joint injections, supplements, weight management, as well as modalities, such as shockwave therapy or photobiomodulation, and acupuncture.
📖Read the article: https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/exercise-therapy-managing-oa/

06/03/2026

Assessing each dog as an individual microbiome.

In holistic canine herbalism, we look at the condition of a dog's terrain.

When a dog presents with chronic inflammation or recurring digestive upset, the standard approach is often to "fix" the symptom. But as practitioners, we have to look at the soil: the internal ecosystem that allows these issues to take root.

This is the methodology of mapping the canine ecosystem. It’s about understanding tissue states, metabolic heat, and constitutional condition. If we only address the symptom, we miss the underlying environment that sustains it.

For veterinarians and holistic practitioners, this shifts the focus from reactive care to strategic modulation. For example, a dog who has a chronic cough. The direction involves evaluating WHY the lungs are weak instead of just treating a cough. We also assess the Where. Where is the cough coming from? It could be coming from the heart.

By assessing the terrain, we help create resilience. When we chase symptoms, without looking for the root, we can miss essential clues vital to canine health.

Assessment is always about the Individual Dog and their ecosystem.

02/03/2026

Exactly the same concern with dogs

Fascial Entrapment Neuropathy

Fascial entrapment neuropathy in horses occurs when peripheral nerves become irritated or compressed by restricted, thickened, or dehydrated fascia rather than by bone or obvious structural injury. Because fascia forms a continuous web around muscles, nerves, and vessels, restrictions in one area can affect nerve function locally or at a distance.

In horses, this can develops from repetitive movement patterns, poor saddle fit, trauma, compensation from lameness, prolonged tension, or age-related changes in tissue elasticity. The result is impaired nerve glide and reduced circulation to the nerve, leading to pain or altered sensation without clear findings on imaging.

Common signs may include:
• unexplained sensitivity to grooming or tacking
• intermittent or shifting lameness
• resistance to bending, collection, or transitions
• shortened stride or asymmetrical movement
• behavioral changes such as irritability or avoidance

These signs are frequently misattributed to training issues or attitude, particularly when diagnostics appear normal.

How bodywork and massage help

Skilled manual therapy can address fascial entrapment by restoring tissue glide, improving hydration, and reducing abnormal tension patterns around the nerve. Slow, precise techniques help decrease pressure within fascial layers, support circulation, and calm the nervous system. As the fascial environment becomes more supple and responsive, nerve irritation often diminishes, allowing more comfortable movement and improved coordination.

Big picture

Fascial entrapment neuropathy highlights the importance of viewing equine pain through a whole-body lens. When fascia regains elasticity and balance, nerves are no longer forced to function in a restricted environment—supporting soundness, comfort, and more willing movement.

https://koperequine.com/fascia-the-skeleton-of-the-nerves/

27/02/2026

If you’ve ever had your dog come home from the groomer with a note saying “anal glands expressed,” or if your vet routinely does this during wellness exams, I need you to stop and ask yourself: why are we treating a symptom instead of addressing the root cause?

18/02/2026

Meet this sweet girl.

Kyphosis (roaching) body tension and bracing.

When I see a new client I want to understand what their posture is telling me.
Line of tension indicate issues with tensegrity (how bones muscles and connective tissue work together)
This dog shows a somatic dysfunction affecting the thoracic and pelvic limb.
In essence this affects balance, proprioception and nerve signalment.
What does this mean in sport?

Discomfort
Inability to produce strength and speed resulting in power
Coordination deficits raising the risk of injury.

As we work with the body it is imperative to listen and feel the tissues response. It works with you and tells the bodies story.

If you’d like to know more about how to support your dog in sport dm me for more information.
This lovely little girl will begin to discover the joy of a body that responds and this will enable her to enjoy a full life of sport in comfort.

16/02/2026

A great short term alternative to orthopedic braces. Providing support and comfort as well as all of these benefits. Kinesiology taping is my go to for most breeds.

Kinesiology taping–does it work? If so, how? 🦴
One of the approaches currently gaining traction is kinesiology taping (KT), a hard-to-miss technique for humans and animals, with its bold colors and intriguing patterns. Learn more about this non-invasive modality and how it can help you deliver care.
📖 Read the article: https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/kinesiology-taping-does-it-work/

20/01/2026

The gut matters!

New peer-reviewed veterinary microbiome research shows that when key gut microbes are missing or damaged, dogs can struggle to digest and absorb protein, leading to GI issues like diarrhea, gas, and nutrient gaps even on a “complete & balanced” diet. This landmark Waltham study revealed dogs have a unique gut microbiome, uncovering 900+ new dog-specific strains, including 89 new species and 10 entirely new genera. The research shows the microbiome acts like a metabolic organ, helping regulate amino acids, vitamins, energy, and immune function, so when it’s disrupted, nutrition suffers.

That’s where targeted probiotics matter. Not all probiotics are equal; strains that support amino acid handling, B-vitamin pathways, and SCFA production are far more relevant for metabolic and GI health. That’s why Dr. Becker developed PRIMITIVE PROBIOTICS™, featuring science-backed strains like OptiBiome BS50® (Bacillus subtilis), a spore-former that produces protease enzymes to improve protein breakdown and nutrient absorption, helping dogs better use what’s already in their food.

👉 Want to explore a science-backed probiotic for your dog? Comment BETTERBELLY and we’ll DM you the link.

20/01/2026

Massage for healing tissue. A little bit of magic hands!