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Animal Physical Rehabilitation 

 

Physical rehabilitation is available for our companion animals. A comprehensive rehabilitation program is essential after injury, surgery and with management of chronic conditions. Physical rehabilitation professionals work closely with your veterinarian to insure the best rehabilitation success possible.

Physical therapy has been a vital part of helping people recover from injury, surgery and illness since WWI. In human medicine the standard of care is to receive physical therapy when function has been lost. Early intervention is the key to optimizing recovery and restoring function. We believe our animal friends deserve the same services to help them to heal and to enhance quality of life. The profession has expanded to offer modalities such as manual therapy, exercise (Land and water based), Photobiomodulation, Shockwave, Therapeutic Ultrasound, Light Therapy, PEMFt, to name a few.

Have you noticed a change in your fury child’s activity tolerance, ease of rising after rest, weight shifting off of a leg, an abnormal sitting posture, decreased desire to participate in exercise, walks or even interacting with you or other family members? Ask your veterinarian to evaluate your dog, cat or even bunny, etc, for any signs of pain, loss of muscle and joint flexibility. They may benefit from a rehabilitation program.

Find a qualified physical rehabilitation provider

Ask your veterinary team about possible treatment options beyond medication management. They may be able to help you find a trained rehabilitation professional that can perform an evaluation and help design a program that works with your schedule, finances, and abilities. This could include a comprehensive and progressive home program in addition to offering in-clinic treatments, if available and ideal for your circumstances. As a home program is being developed inquire about specific therapies that can be performed at home. These might include massage, stretching, focused active exercise, light therapy, PEMf devices and the use of ice and heat. Check out my Resources page for more details. 

Animal Rehabilitation Certification Programs

Canine IQ http://canineiq.net/tcpt 

Canine Rehabilitation Institute http://caninerehabinstitute.com

NC State Vet Medicine https://www.ncsuvetce.com/product-category/certificate-programs/canine-rehab/

Benefits of Physical Rehabilitation

  • Improves circulation which accelerates healing
  • Increases muscle mass and strength which improves balance and coordination
  • Improves joint and soft tissue flexibility and mobility which increases ability to perform daily activities
  • Minimizes or eliminates pain which may improve quality of life
  • Increases speed of recovery
  • Enhances the ability to perform daily activities

Conditions Commonly Treated

  • Arthritis/Degenerative Joint Diseases
  • Hip and elbow Dysplasia
  • Post-operative recovery from:
    • Laminectomy
    • Cruciate surgery (TPLO, TTA, Lateral Suture Imbrication)
    • Femoral Head Osteotomy
    • Total Joint Replacement
    • Medial Shoulder Injury/Syndrome Shoulder Repair (MSI)
  • Non-surgical care for Cruciate Tears, Patella Luxation
  • Weakness from illness, surgery, inactivity often associated with our geriatric population
  • Vestibular/balance dysfunction
  • Musculoskeletal pain
  • Tendinopathy
  • Amputations
  • Loss of function related to cancer
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
  • Neurologic conditions
  • Degenerative myelopathy
  • Fibrocartilagenous Embolism (FCE)
  • Traumatic injuries
  • Cauda Equina Syndrome
  • Spondylosis
  • Sports injuries
  • Obesity
  • Wounds

American Dog, LLC is dedicated to improving your furry family member’s quality of life. We believe that education is an essential part of recovery. We hope to be a resource for topics related to your pet’s health and to give you the tools to get the best possible result.