Coupage ('back clapping' or 'percussion therapy') is a simple and inexpensive method of keeping Aspiration Pneumonia at bay. Consider the art of coupage great physical therapy and daily life insurance.
Coupage Technique:
To perform coupage, lightly cup your hands, placing them to each side of the ribcage, just slightly above the point of the elbow, and tap in rhythmic patterns. This is one useful location. The other is higher on the body trunk, closer to the back region.
Coupage : The Purpose
Loosen lung secretions
Stimulate coughing reflex, as well as the expelling of mucus or lung debris
Use as an ancillary treatment, with antibiotics and/or nebulization during periods of pneumonia. Perform after nebulization, not before.
Peform if you are not nebulizing.
Perform as often as you can:
- after meals
- before rest
- after exercise
- five - to - ten minutes or as long as your dog will allow
- upwards of 4x per day
- as long as your dog has a cough
Coupage: Canine Cooperation
Teach your dog to tell you when he/she would like a coupage session. H/she will learn to make the " I feel better" connection. Watch for a certain behavior, give a session, put a word to it when you start start the session. Keep the word simple. Always use the same word at the onset of a session. Later you can offer the word and watch for the response - of the dog coming to you for a treatment.
Further Resources:Coupage Demo -
http://www.caninemegaesophagus.org/Coupage.html-- Edited by Moderator Peg on Monday 20th of April 2009 02:40:20 PM
