Stoney Creek Veterinary Hospital Presents

Small Animal Massage Practitioner

Kathy McCarry

Kathy has her certification in Therapeutic Swedish Massage from Owens Institute Wilmington,De. She completed her course study for Canine Massage at Northwest School of Animal Massage.

 Kathy has been involed in foster and rescue for 20+years.  At the present time she has 4 dogs (our latest is a rescue) and 4 cats and a horse.  My interest in holistic type treatments and therapies has been lifelong. 

Benefits of Canine Massage

Canine Massage is designed to reduce muscle fatigue and tension. 

 Regardless of what type of massage that will be done massage  will 

1) Help to maintain a specific level of health and fitness

2) Optimize performance potential

3) Assist in the rehabilitation from injury or illness

 Maintenance Massage:

The intent of a "Maintenance Massage" (thats just a regular feel good massage) is to help a healthy pet stay at a specific level of "work" for as long and safely as possible.  The pet may start out as a rehab or performance case and progress to the point of maintenance massage.  Maintenance is good for senior dogs

Primary goals of rehab massage  are to stimulate the healing properties of the body and to provide comfort.

Physical Benefits of rehab massage: It will facilitate homeostasis by

1) Stimuating local circulation

2) Decreasing local imflammation

3) Stimulating the relaese of  endorphins

4) Assists in the promotion of healthy scar tissue formation to incourage flexibility and stability

5) The rehab massage also has all the benefits attributed to maintenance massage.

Performance Massage:

Its to optimize current performance while helping the animal to reach next level of proficiency in movement.  BUt it does benefit proprioceptive skills  flexibilty and improve work efficiance.  

MLD Massage: 

MLD is one of the mildest forms of massage and is designed to diret and redirect the slow of lymohatic fluid just beneath the surface.  Lymphatic massage can be applied to a specific area of localized immflamation or a treatment designed for the entire system.

One thing I really like is  the MLD  (manual lymph drainage).  It is such a useful and helpful massage and can be used almost all the time (except when contriandicted)

It is one of the most impactful techniques in support of rehabilitation Pre-surgical,post-surgical/during early stages of recovery.  Contriandictions would include:systemic fever,systemic infection,congestion of heart or pleura and lymphangitis.

MLD is one of the mildest forms of massage and is designed to diret and redirect the slow of lymohatic fluid just beneath the surface.  lymphatic massage can be applied to a specific area of localized immflamation or a treatment designed for the entire system.

Circulatory Massage:

Used before and after surgery.  Can help the body prepare for speed and recovery.  Useful in healthy animals ensuring blood flow is efficient. It is an excellent choice in the days following surgery but  can be used after medication or other therapies administered.  Partiucularly useful in very young or aged pet.

Massage for Scar Tissue:

Massage can support the balance and encourage scar tissue to form in a smooth fashion that can acccomdate both strength and flexibility

Call the office today for an Appointment with Kathy!