The benefits of dog physical therapy cannot be overemphasized. It can significantly improve strength or endurance, reduce pain, increase mobility or flexibility as well as the maintenance of your pet’s overall function and health.
Most canine rehabs can be performed within a clinic setting, though a few can be done at home. Both can provide significant advantages to your canine’s well-being.
Does animal physical therapy work for pets the same way as physical therapy for humans?
According to clinical research, dog physical therapy provides similar benefits as physiotherapy does for people with back injuries. The benefits are compounded when animals begin treatment as early as possible before the condition becomes very severe.
This is true, especially when the pet continues the program for an extended period. The small improvements in increased mobility and reduced pain become more apparent over time.
Conditions That Respond Remarkably Well to Dog Physical Therapy
- Spine problems: The following list of spine conditions benefit immensely from regular animal physical therapy:
- Spine injury
- Hind end weakness
- Arthritis
- Neurological conditions
- IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease)
- Recovery after spine surgery
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Fibrocartilaginous Embolism Stroke (FCE)
But that is not all. Other health conditions that also benefit immensely from animal physical therapy include:
- Amputation recovery
- Paralysis
- Traumatic injuries sustained from a hit-and-run accident
- Elbow and hip dysplasia
- Vestibular diseases
- Postsurgical recovery of the neck, hip, back, and knee
- Obesity
- Animal physical therapy helps to cut back recovery time for pets that have undergone neurological or orthopedic surgeries. And it can also be used to manage soft tissue strains or sprains conveniently.
- Dog physical therapy is a precious tool for managing aging processes. Spinal issues as well as arthritis are 2 of the most common conditions related to age and can be treated with animal physical therapy.
- Moreover, animal physical therapy slows down progressive diseases, thereby ensuring your dog stays mobile for as long as possible. The perfect combination of exercise and pain control therapy can give your pet an excellent quality of life while adding several months or even years of independent movement.
Dog Physical Therapy Exercise to Do at Home
When your dog gets home after successful surgery, do not confine them to crate rest straightaway. But then, your vet may recommend crate rest for the first 3 to 4 weeks after the surgery.
Here are some exercises to perform during this period:
- Light massage
- Toe squeeze
Animal Therapy Exercises After the Crate Rest Period
As soon as the crate rest period is over, your dog needs to undergo some physical therapy exercises. But make sure your vet approves of these exercises before starting them:
- Strength training
- PROM (Passive Range of Motion)
- Stand and shift weight.
- Stand and count
- Heads up
- Tail pinch
- Sit and stand
- Outdoor exercises
Conclusion
Your canine may not have to undergo all these exercises, which is very okay. Some health conditions such as spine disease are unique to every dog breed as some end up regaining mobility while others do not.
If your dog needs physical therapy exercises, you can always google ‘animal physical therapy near me’ or ‘dog physical therapy near me.’ But if you really want the low-down on animal physical therapy, get in touch with Safarivet.
