A water treadmill is a typical kind of extra treatment for a dog’s rehab.
Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
When dogs have an injury or persistent condition, such as arthritis, physical rehab can reduce their discomfort and enhance their strength and versatility.
“There are a number of situations where dogs could benefit from physical rehabilitation, but the common reason is to improve recovery following surgery, usually orthopedic surgery — or surgery on bones and joints — and neurologic surgery — typically back or neck surgery,” said Dr. Jacqueline Davidson, a scientific teacher at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. “Most programs will include specific strengthening or stretching exercises that are prescribed to target the primary muscles or tissues that are involved.”
Other factors that a dog might take advantage of a rehab program consist of recuperating from injuries that did not need surgical treatment, such as leg, foot or nerve injuries; increasing movement and lifestyle for overweight or older clients; or enhancing a working or sporting dog’s efficiency.
To support a client’s healing, a licensed vet trained in rehab is required to develop a proper workout program based upon a dog’s issues. If your vet is not accredited in rehab, they can refer your dog to one who is.
“The most important aspect of a program is a veterinarian who has the knowledge and skill to develop and perform an effective treatment program,” Davidson said. “The veterinarian prescribing the program will first do an assessment to determine specific issues and take measurements where possible. For example, they might measure muscle size before and after the therapy has begun to monitor for improvements and determine whether the program is effective.”
Certified vets might likewise suggest extra treatments, each with their own advantages, that can be contributed to the healing program too. Some common types, according to Davidson, include:
- Cold laser therapy: This non-invasive and drug-free treatment uses focused light to reduce inflammation and pain.
- Heat therapy: Heat is applied to affected joints that can reduce pain and increase flexibility.
- Electrical stimulation: Low-level electrical currents can be administered to reduce pain or strengthen muscles.
- Shock wave therapy: Using high-energy sound waves, this noninvasive treatment helps dogs relieve pain.
- Therapeutic ultrasound: Providing deep heat within tissues can reduce pain, increase flexibility and promote wound healing.
- Water treadmills: Depending on how a water treadmill is used, it can improve a dog’s strength, joint motion and stamina. While water treadmills are a good addition to a rehabilitation program, Davidson explained that a large part of therapy involves exercises that can be done without water.
“It is possible that one or more of these treatments could be included, but many effective treatment programs include none of these treatments,“ Davidson explained. “Generally, the most important treatments are the various physical exercises that are prescribed after the evaluation of a dog.”
Because treatment programs can vary, Davidson strongly recommends owners first visit with a certified veterinarian to discuss whether rehabilitation can improve their dog’s quality of life.
“Owners can consult with their veterinarian about rehab if they feel their pet is not getting around as well as they used to, seems to be less active, or is favoring one leg,” Davidson said. “Someone with training will be able to assess the various pros and cons for an individual patient and can recommend appropriate exercises, when to do them, and what the intensity level should be.”
At home, owners can support their dog’s recovery by walking them, as this can improve such daily activities as walking to their food dish or outside to pee.
“Walking is a fundamental activity in the daily lives of most dogs, so controlled walking is often a safe exercise that can be beneficial,” Davidson said. “Nevertheless, it is sometimes difficult for owners to get their pets to do the exercises correctly, so it can help to have the rehabilitationist work with the owner and their pet to ensure that the exercises are being performed in a safe and effective manner.”
Rehabilitation is a broad field that can include different programs and treatments specific to your furry friend’s condition, so working with your veterinarian to determine the best course of action can provide the most rewarding outcomes: pain relief, comfort and improved well-being.
Pet Talk is a service of the School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics might be directed to [email protected].
