Coupage
Physical
Therapy for Dogs with Megaeosophagus
A technique called “coupage”
uses body positioning and percussion to mobilize respiratory secretions.
The therapist’s hand is cupped and gently but rapidly taps the patient’s
chest wall repeatedly. This loosens some of the deeper secretions and helps
them move into airways. If you get the rhythm right the lungs will resonate,
loosening the congealed matter which is causing the chestiness. Material
in the airway generates coughing which removes these materials from the body.
Coupage should be performed at least four times daily and should be continued
at home as long as the patient has a cough. This massage technique is used
to loosen secretions in the lungs of human cystic fibrosis patients.
It is important you ask your veterinarian to show you the proper way to perform
coupage.
The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not
to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis
of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation of
any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.