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• What is Osteopathy?
• What is Animal Osteopathy?
• What is Canine Osteopathy?
• How does it work?
• When do owners and breeders take their dogs to see Canine Osteopaths?
• Do Canine Osteopaths only treat dogs?
• Do I need a referral from my vet?
• What do Canine Osteopaths treat?
• What happens when my dog sees the Canine Osteopath?
• Does it hurt them?
• How long does a treatment take and how many will they need?
• What are the fees?
• Where does Maria work?
• How do I contact Maria?
• What is the training?

Osteopathy is a holistic form of manual therapy which aims to restore normal function to the patient's body, using gentle manipulative techniques.

Animal osteopathy (also known as veterinary osteopathy) is the name given to osteopathy when it is applied to animals. Animal osteopaths most commonly treat horses, dogs and cats. They also occasionally treat other household pets such as rabbits. All animal osteopaths are fully qualified, registered osteopaths who have post-graduate training in animal osteopathy.

Canine osteopathy is the name given to the branch of animal osteopathy concerned with treating dogs. Canine osteopaths treat all breeds of dogs, bitches and puppies, including household dogs, occupational dogs and professional dogs. All canine osteopaths are fully qualified animal osteopaths.

Canine osteopaths use observation, passive movement tests and manual palpation to ascertain the underlying causes of the dog's discomfort and then use the most appropriate techniques to correct them - returning the body to health. Treatment involves carefully moving the dog's body about (articulation), gentle stretching and relaxation techniques on muscles and other soft tissues and occasionally a manipulation in the back or neck.

Canine osteopaths focus on the individual nature of every dog they see and tailor each treatment to the dog's specific needs at that time. Wherever tensions are found, they will use delicate techniques to release them and return the dog's body to normal function.

Dogs, like people, can suffer from musculoskeletal problems. Often the dog's only way of communicating these problems to us is to display changes in personality, character or performance. For example your dog may start having difficulty getting into the car, up the stairs or onto their favourite chair. They may not want to get out of bed or go for a walk and may show discomfort, growl or whimper when touched or, worse still, bite. If they are a competition dog, their performance may suffer causing them to become slower, knock fences or refuse to sit, stay etc.

Misalignments can cause various symptoms and the dog will often subtly change its gait to compensate for the problem(s). The joints involved can become stiff and lack their normal range of motion. Ligaments will be put under extra strain, muscles will have reduced elasticity and be more prone to injury. In addition nerves can become impinged causing muscle wasting and weakness.

Problems can occur in dogs for many reasons including the following:

• Traumas and Accidents (e.g. falls, road traffic collisions, slipping, fighting etc).
• Repetitive Activities (e.g. jumping on and off the sofa, in and out of the car etc).
• Competitions - Greyhound/Whippet racing (running on tracks in one direction, tight muscles etc); agility dogs (stopping suddenly, tight turns, jarring etc).
• Breed Weaknesses - dogs with long backs and relatively short legs are prone to disc problems (e.g. Dachshunds); hip dysplasia (e.g. German Shepherds); cervical vertebral instability (e.g. Weimaraners); osteochondritis dissecans affecting the shoulders and elbows (e.g. Labrador Retrievers) etc.
• Lameness - for example arthritic pain or hip dysplasia can cause the dog to compensate its walking gait, which can develop into secondary back problems.

Canine osteopaths also see dogs who need help after surgery, have chronic conditions which affect their movement and balance or have particular strains and stresses due to their work (racing dogs, working dogs and agility dogs). Agility and Racing dogs, much like human athletes, can suffer from over training and may benefit from their joints and muscles being looked after. Elderly dogs will often need more regular treatments than younger dogs to help improve their mobility and combat stiffness in any arthritic joints.

No! As an animal osteopath Maria Sonberg also treats other household pets, such as cats and rabbits. She also treats horses and ponies.

Yes! It is a legal requirement that owner's obtain veterinary approval prior to any animal's treatment. If you do not have your vet's permission to see an animal osteopath, Maria cannot treat your dog.

Canine osteopathy is a very effective form of treatment of dogs, so most vets are more than happy to refer. Maria is also very happy to work closely with your vet, particularly if your dog is already receiving rehabilitation.

Canine osteopaths treat all sorts of conditions, whether acute, subacute or chronic. Although you need your vet's permission prior to seeing a canine osteopath, with some acute conditions, such as cauda equina syndrome, it is very important that your dog has been physically examined by your vet first, in case it needs emergency veterinary treatment.

These are some of the most common conditions that canine osteopaths see:

Aches and Pains • Arthritis • Back Pain • Behavioural Changes • Bursitis • Cauda Equina Syndrome • Cervical Vertebral Instability • Circulatory Problems (local and minor) • Congenital Hip Dysplasia • Digestive Problems • Disc Bulges • Disc Problems • Ear Infections • Herniated Intervertebral Discs • Hip Dysplasia • Hip Problems • Inability to Relax • Incontinence • Jaw Pain • Joint Pains • Lameness • Lick Granuloma • Limping • Muscular Aches and Spasms • Neck Pain • Osteoarthritis o Post-operative Issues • Prolapsed Intervertebral Discs • Rheumatism • Spinal Trauma • Spondylosis • Spondylitis • Trauma (physical and emotional) • Wobble Neck

Maria also sees dogs for annual check-ups, MOT's, pre-competition/event tune-ups and preventative treatments. Racing and agility dogs may achieve better performance after treatment, if any musculoskeletal imbalances they may have are corrected.

Please be aware that canine osteopaths treat the dog's body as a whole, rather than just focusing on any one particular veterinary condition - the aim of the canine osteopath is always to look for the underlying cause(s) of the dog's problem and return its body to balance. If you are not sure whether canine osteopathy is right for your dog and you would like to discuss treatment with Maria, please e-mail her with your queries.

Maria will undertake a thorough case history (including any previous injuries or operations and any treatment received) to establish exactly what the complaint is. She will also ask what current treatment your dog has received and what, if any, medication it is on. She will then perform a clinical examination to determine a diagnosis - often the site of pain is not the primary cause of the problem. She will also need to see your dog walking (so she can analyse its gait) and if it is able to go up and down stairs. Having reached a diagnosis, she will discuss her findings with the owner before beginning treatment.

Maria may use soft tissue techniques, stretches, and gentle joint mobilisation to remove any imbalances in mobility. She will only use manipulation when necessary and with your permission. Another technique Maria uses that is particularly useful for dogs is cranial osteopathy. This is a very subtle but profound method of treating.

No, but because Maria might be working on sore and painful tissues, those areas may be a bit tender. Canine osteopathic treatment aims to relieve the dog of their pain in as gentle a way as possible. Maria will always discuss what her intentions are before, during and after treatment and will only proceed with the owner's consent.

The first treatment usually lasts about 45 minutes, follow-up treatments around 30 minutes (although this depends on the dog's age and tolerance levels). Some problems may only need 2 or 3 treatments, more serious or long-term problems will often require more. Maria will discuss the diagnosis and prognosis with the owner during the first treatment and explain how many treatments she feels might be needed.

Most dogs show an improvement in flexibility and movement after the first treatment. Follow-up treatments usually take place around a week to two weeks later.

It is £45 for the first treatment and £35 for follow-up treatments.

For 2 or more dogs it is £40 each for the first treatment and then £30 each for follow-up treatments.

Travel is 50p per mile (one way) and any parking costs.

Please pay by cash or cheque.

If you have pet insurance, often the insurance company will pay the total fee or part of the amount - it is advisable to check with your insurers prior to treatment. You will also need a referral from your vet.

Maria works in London.

If you would like to discuss the possibility of treatment for your dog, please e-mail Maria with any questions or queries you may have. If you would like to make a booking, please also leave details about your dog's problem and your address and telephone number.

Maria successfully completed a 4 year full-time Bachelor of Science Honours Degree and Diploma in Osteopathy at the European School of Osteopathy. She then went on to complete a year long Post-Graduate Diploma in Animal Osteopathy at the European School of Osteopathy under the tutelage of Stuart McGregor, one of the most respected animal osteopaths in the world. She also has a degree in Physiotherapy.

Maria is registered with the General Osteopathic Council and is a member of the British Osteopathic Association.

This page is in the process of being updated. If you have an questions about Equine Osteopathy, please do not hesitate to contact Maria.