Fay Talbot Canine Myotherapy & Performance

20/08/2025

Even when resting he keeps an eye on his bloody ball to stop Mia stealing it….

19/08/2025

😍Yoda😍
This little guy has just started coming to me for Myotherapy treatment. Yoda's Owner noticed that he wasn't getting up on the bed at night anymore. There is always a reason for a change in behaviour, get it checked out!
The photos show a lovely moment when Yoda really started to trust me and allowed a deeper treatment.

DM me to book in or have a chat about your dog
Clinic based near Dorking, Surrey
Home visits in local area can also be arranged

18/08/2025

Benefits of Myotherapy After TPLO Surgery
1. Reduces Muscle Tension & Stiffness
Dogs often shift weight off the operated leg, causing tightness in the shoulders, neck, lower back, and the opposite hind leg. Massage helps relax those overworked muscles.
2. Improves Circulation & Lymphatic Flow
Gentle massage increases blood flow to surrounding tissues, aiding healing, and helps manage post-surgical swelling.
3. Supports Joint Mobility
Scar tissue can make the knee feel tight. Massage (combined with rehab exercises) can help maintain flexibility in the surrounding muscles.
4. Eases Pain & Promotes Relaxation
By reducing muscle spasms and improving endorphin release, massage can help your dog rest more comfortably and recover better.
5. Improves Body Awareness
Dogs may be cautious about using the operated leg. Massage combined with proprioceptive touch can help them regain confidence in that limb.
🐾DM me to book in or have a chat
🐾Clinic based near Dorking, Surrey
🐾Home visits in local area can also be arranged

15/08/2025

🐾Scethy🐾😍🐾😍
In this video I am treating the muscles in the neck that are compensating because of his elbow dysplasia.

14/08/2025

• Self-soothing behavior: Dogs sometimes lick sore spots (muscles, joints, skin) because it releases endorphins, which temporarily relieve discomfort.
• Pain location: Licking isn’t always right over the source of pain. For example, a dog with hip arthritis might lick a lower leg or paw due to referred pain.
• Other clues: If licking is paired with stiffness, limping, reluctance to jump, changes in posture, or sensitivity to touch, it’s more likely pain-related than habit.
• Possible confusion with other causes: Allergies, skin infections, parasites, or anxiety can also trigger targeted licking, so it’s important to rule these out.

Get it checked out by your vet first, then contact me for an appointment, DM me for more information.

12/08/2025

I always bang on about claw length for a reason! Long claws affect the foot balance, which affects all the structures above i.e the whole dog!

07/08/2025

I often find these muscles sore in dogs that I treat!

Continuing our 'Tongue to Tail' series, we're now focusing on the masseter muscles!

"The what?" we hear you ask!

These muscles, located in your dog's cheeks, are responsible for chewing and mastication. However, like any muscle, they can become overworked. This often happens when a dog over-recruits muscles during movement. Similar to humans clenching their jaw for extra effort, dogs can exhibit the same behaviour.

During a Galen Myotherapy treatment, your therapist may work on these muscles, and you might observe your dog visibly relax as they do.

Why not train to become a Galen Myotherapist 👉https://www.galenmyotherapy.com/courses

31/07/2025

National Mutt Day!
Three of my mutts from the past in the photo's, Bubbles, Brandy & Megan. Mutts are brilliant!

24/07/2025

Anyone else relate?
I splashed out on some orthopaedic beds for my dogs a couple of years ago. My husband has now upgraded them with some amazing wooden bases (which he hand made!) to improve airflow underneath them. This has resulted in them being raised slightly higher off the floor, which is very appealing to the dogs, they love a raised area to help them feel safe and secure, and out of any draughts. No such thought goes into our own bed……

21/07/2025

• Too Much Activity Too Soon
Dogs often feel better before they are fully healed and may overdo it.
Jumping, running, or playing can reopen wounds or worsen injuries.
• Poor Nutrition
Inadequate or low-quality diets slow tissue repair and immune response.
• Pain
Untreated or poorly managed pain can cause stress, inflammation, and reduced mobility—all barriers to healing.
DM or call me for more information about how I can help your dog recover

18/07/2025

Connection between behaviour and pain!

Gradually we are gaining more information on how disease in companion animals can influence their behaviour.

I see a fair number of "pica" cases - both in first opinion "GP" vet practice and as a vet and behaviourist. Gut health can influence this tendency in multiple ways.
In this NEW PUBLICATION the authors discuss how potentially nausea, visceral pain and an inability to absorb enough calories or key nutrients may be the motivators for this behaviour. There is no doubt that pica can occur for reasons unlikely linked to a long standing gut issue (what we refer to as a chronic (gastro)enteropathy) but as the paper discusses, it is essential to thoroughly consider the presence of gut issues in these cases.

Sadly, we still see many dogs in particular, being muzzled, punished or repeatedly trained in some other way to "leave" items whilst the underlying cause is not effectively addressed. Given inflammatory conditions can be worsened by certain stress experiences, this type of approach might actually negatively impact the medical condition further.

Definitely worth a read.

And if delving into science papers isn't your thing, or you are keen on considering how we can practically use this type of information to help dogs and the people who share their lives ... watch this space for some exciting news about a new online course I have coming out later this year :))

Perez, J., Ford, S. and Lynch, H., 2025. Pica as a clinical sign of a chronic enteropathy in dogs and cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1(aop), pp.1-6.

17/07/2025

At the very least, when you take your dog for a walk (young or old), let them walk calmly at the beginning and end of the walk. You wouldn’t go for a run straight from the car or sofa yourself!
Start with a Brisk Walk (2–5 minutes)
• Begin with a loose-leash walk to increase circulation and elevate the heart rate gradually.
• Walk on flat ground before progressing to uneven surfaces or mild inclines.
DM me for Myotherapy or Canine Conditioning Appointments