Physical Rehabilitation in animals is similar to physical therapy for humans. The goal is to restore full range of motion, strength and mobility following an illness or injury, help prevent further deterioration in older/injured animals and to assist with weight loss and conditioning in otherwise healthy animals.
Evaluation for physical rehabilitation may be incorporated as part of the care for patients referred to our specialists. However, patients may also be referred primarily for physical rehabilitation evaluation from another veterinary facility, or to seek resolution for performance problems encountered in daily living or sporting events.
At the time of the initial evaluation, the therapist will take a history of the problems and deficits with the owner, do a physical examination on the animal and determine what the needs for rehabilitation are, discuss the plan of care with the owner and usually provide some type of hands-on treatment that day. Often, owners are instructed in exercises they can perform at home between visits and a written copy of those exercises will be provided.
Some of the treatments that might be provided include exercises for regaining motion and strength, activities to improve agility, balance and walking ability; hands-on massage and or joint mobilizations to improve soft tissue and joint movement, walking in the underwater treadmill for strength and endurance, or use of modalities, such as heat, cold, ultrasound or electrical stimulation for help with pain relief.
Most evaluations last about 1 hour; follow-up visits are usually 30-45 minutes in length, but specific parameters will be determined by the therapist, depending on what that client’s needs are.
Other services offered include measuring and fitting of carts/wheelchairs, splinting/bracing, and assisting owners with other assistive devices to help their pets.
Common cases that can benefit from rehabilitation include:
- Fractures/orthopaedic surgeries
- Cruciate tears/repairs (TPLO,TTA)
- Disc injuries, both surgical and non-surgical (ventral slots, hemilaminectomies)
- Brachial plexus/other nerve injuries
- Geriatric animals with mobility problems/hind end weakness
- Arthritis/other lameness issues
- Conditioning for agility/working dogs
- Weight management for overweight animals
- FCE’s/ stroke/vestibular problems