(Commonwealth Union)_Dogs, like humans, can benefit from physical therapy or rehabilitation. This is particularly recommended for dogs healing from surgery, those who have suffered soft tissue injuries, those suffering from arthritis, neurological disorders. However, physical therapy may be required for any pet of any age
How will you know if your dog requires physical therapy? You may notice small changes at home as your dog ages, including difficulty getting out of bed after a nap, staircase hesitancy, reluctance to take walks, only allowing for shorter distances. Other pain symptoms include vocalisation, decreased appetite, and lengthier sleep.
It is critical to ensure that nothing more serious is going on. Most rehabilitation veterinarians will require a reference from your family veterinarian saying that rehab is suggested and your dog is healthy enough to participate. A thorough physical check, including diagnostics such as blood testing and radiography, can assist ensure that nothing more serious is wrong.
How does canine physical therapy work? Multiple kinds of equipment, or “modalities,” as we call them, may be used in a dog’s rehabilitation. Let’s look at a few common modalities.
In Passive range of motion (PROM), exercises involve someone manually assisting your dog in moving a joint back and forth in order to increase flexibility. The “cycling” motion is the most commonly used workout.
PROM and heat and cold therapy go hand in hand. Warming up before exercising prepares the muscles for activity. Using ice after physical therapy aids in the reduction of inflammation and soreness. To protect the skin, always place a barrier between your pet’s skin and the heat/ice source. It could be anything as basic as a light towel.
An underwater treadmill is a treadmill housed in a watertight container. Water at various levels can be added. The higher the water level, the less weight is carried by the pet. Typically, the rehab vet would begin with a high water level and slow speed for a short period of time, progressively increasing the challenge by decreasing the water level and increasing the speed and duration of exercise.
You may also utilise an obstacle course to help your dog improve or rediscover balance and paw placement. This can include the use of hills, steps, ramps, bars, balancing balls, and other similar devices.
Therapeutic ultrasonography stimulates muscular activation by using ultrasonic waves. These waves are not the same as what we see when we peek into a dog’s belly. Therapeutic ultrasound heats muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which can aid in their healing.
A cold treatment laser operates at the cellular level in the body. It helps reduce inflammation and promote circulation, which can aid with pain relief and recovery. If cancer is detected, cold therapy laser should not be utilised since it can promote cancer growth.
A question often raised by pet owners is are there any risks associated with physical therapy? Physical treatment, while generally considered safe, might have consequences. If done incorrectly, there may be no benefit or even a worsening. It must also be noted that physical therapy, even when done appropriately, can be painful, so it’s critical to keep your dog’s pain under control. Physical therapy is a terrific and safe technique to help with recovery and increase quality of life as long as it is done correctly and your dog’s pain is under control. If you have any questions or concerns, always visit or phone your veterinarian; they are your best resource for ensuring your pets’ health and well-being.
