Massage For Rabbits, Guinea Pigs & Pocket Pets

The following information about rabbit massage has been paraphrased with permission from Chandra Beal's book called The Relaxed Rabbit, which is referenced in the 'Recommended Reading' section of this website. The following link is for anyone who wishes to purchase The Relaxed Rabbit book from Chandra or to contact her with any questions:

http://laluna.chandrabeal.com/books_relaxed_rabbit.htm

Rabbit, guinea pig, ferret & other small pet massages have to be conducted in shorter sessions than cat and dog massages, at least initially, until they are used to therapeutic touch.

At your pet's first massage appointment the caretaker will fill out a form for contact information, veterinary information and pet's medical history. The form will be discussed with the caretaker and questions asked about the pet's behavior and any conditions, as applicable.

The pet will be observed while it walks, runs or hops, in order to visually locate any obvious stiffness or problem areas.

Several minutes will be spent with the pet to let it get used to me and to gain its trust. If the animal is jumpy, more time will need to be spent gaining trust and if they allow it, some gentle petting will be done first to let them settle down and get in a relaxed position.

Once everyone is calm, the massage is performed wherever the pet is most comfortable, which may be on the floor, a table, or in a lap. In addition to massage strokes, gentle rocking and range of motion exercises may also be employed.

It is preferred that the caretaker be present throughout the massage. This is to provide reassurance to the pet in case of anxiety, and so any observations may be verbalized or additional questions asked as the massage is performed.

The pet may need to take a quick break at some point during the massage. They may want to get a drink of water or go relieve itself. Sometimes they just need some quick breaks to process what's going on, until they're sure no harm will come to them.

For up to a day after the massage, the pet may be more lethargic and sleepier than usual, and they may drink more water than usual. This is normal behavior. Massage helps release lactic acid (and other metabolic waste) from the muscles. Lactic acid is what causes us to feel achy and have muscle soreness after excessive exercise or if the muscles have been cramped or in a spasm for any length of time. As a result, after a massage, people and animals alike tend to sleep more and drink more water as a way to aid the body in flushing any toxins from our systems.

The first massage appointment takes approximately 30-45 minutes.

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Subsequent Appointments:

For small animals, follow up appointments are recommended weekly, or more frequenly,
depending on the nature of the condition or behavior being treated.

The caretaker will be asked if any changes in the pet's physical condition or behavior have been observed
since the previous massage. Any caretaker observations will be noted in the pet's file.

Since most of the paperwork is completed at the first appointment, subsequent appointments take
approximately 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the temperament of the pet
and the nature of the condition or behavior being treated.

Again, it is normal for the pet to drink more water and sleep more for the day after a massage.

After each massage, any findings and recommendations are recorded on a body chart
and in notes maintained in your pet's massage file.

Recommendations:

In the event any kind of lump, bump or abnormality is felt, especially one the caretaker is unaware of,
a recommendation of taking the pet to the vet for follow up will be made.

In cases where there are behavioral issues such as, excessive bullying of other animals, etc.,
a recommendation of alternative therapies such as Bach Flower Essences and Bach's Rescue Remedy
alone and in conjunction with massage may be made.

If your pet is recovering from a recent surgery or injury, massage is not recommended around
the site of the trauma. Gentle massage can be performed elsewhere on your pet's body, but
most likely a recommendation will be made for the use of Reiki, which is a form of energy healing,
in place of massage. Bach's Rescue Remedy, mentioned above, may also aid in the healing and
calming process.

Other Contraindications of Massage For Your Small Animal

Massage should be avoided if your pet is experiencing any of the following conditions:

* Pregnancy
* Fever
* Infection or Disease
* Cancer and Tumors
* Gastrointestinal Stasis (Abdominal Distress) - Consult a veterinarian immediately!
* Diabetes
* High Blood Pressure

Massage should be avoided immediately after:

* The Animal Just Ate
* Intense Exercise

...but can be performed within 30 minutes afterward.

Reiki is a good alternative to massage in any of the above situations. Please consult with your vet prior to having any bodywork done on your animal with any of these conditions.

Pet Massage and Alternative Therapies Do Not Take the Place of Proper Veterinary Care.