Canine Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy
Canine rehabilitation and physiotherapy use targeted treatments designed to improve the mobility, strength, and overall quality of life for dogs suffering from injuries, arthritis, or other musculoskeletal conditions. These therapies use a variety of techniques, including therapeutic exercises, hydrotherapy and laser treatment, to reduce pain, enhance recovery, and prevent further damage. Whether following surgery or managing a chronic condition like osteoarthritis, canine rehabilitation and physiotherapy play a crucial role in helping dogs regain their functional abilities and live more comfortable, active lives.
Does my dog need rehabilitation and physiotherapy?
Although canine rehabilitation will benefit all dogs regardless of their health, you may consider physiotherapy for your fur child if any of the following applies to them.
- Involved in an accident
- Had recent surgery
- Had a painful or movement-limiting injury
- Regularly participates in sports or competitive activities
- Has musculoskeletal-related issues (eg. arthritis, or patellar luxation)
- Has age-related weakness or conditions
- Has weight-related issues
- Has a neurological condition (eg. nerve or spinal conditions)
What to Expect from Canine Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy
Electrical Stimulation Therapy
This therapy helps alleviate pain and boost muscle function by stimulating dogs’ nerves and muscles with a low-level electrical current. There are two types of electrical stimulation therapy, each with different functions.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
This form of electrical stimulation therapy cuts off the relay of pain from the targeted area to your pet’s brain by placing electrodes on their skin to send small electrical pulses to the nerves under their skin. This triggers the release of endorphins and other chemicals that provide pain relief.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)
For four-legged friends who have not used their muscles due to limited movement or paralysis, NMES helps to stimulate muscle contraction in the affected areas. The therapy encourages blood flow to the affected area to address muscular weakness and enhance muscle function. It also reduces muscle atrophy, joint contracture, oedema, or swelling.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)
ESWT decreases inflammation and pain in dogs with musculoskeletal conditions by using high-energy soundwaves to penetrate the skin and reach deeper tissues. This helps to reduce inflammation and pain in dogs with musculoskeletal conditions. This therapy stimulates improved blood flow to the affected area, promoting healing and relieving discomfort.
Class 4 Therapeutic Laser
Class 4 laser therapy uses certain wavelengths of light to reduce inflammation, oedema, swelling, and pain. Different wavelengths, intensities, and applications of light energy have varying effects, and the Class 4 therapeutic laser stimulates tissue repair and expedites wound recovery.
Therapeutic Ultrasound
Therapeutic ultrasound uses inaudible, high-frequency soundwaves to deliver heat energy deep into your pet’s tissues through vibration. It is particularly beneficial for dogs with soft tissue injuries, promoting tissue repair by stimulating the gathering of healing cells. This therapy helps break down scar tissue, relaxes muscles, and increases blood flow to the affected area. As it aids in the restoration of soft tissues, therapeutic ultrasound can also reduce pain, swelling, inflammation, and scarring, improving overall recovery.
Therapeutic Land Exercises
Therapeutic land exercises are an essential element of canine physical therapy that introduces targeted activities to improve strength, dexterity, balance, and overall mobility. These exercises are conducted using equipment such as poles, cones, balls, boards, and more. Land exercises are personalised to target specific areas of weakness.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy features water-centric exercises like swimming and underwater treadmill therapy, offering structured, low-impact exercises for dogs. If your dog’s chronic orthopaedic disease or partial paralysis results in weakened muscles, water-based activities can improve their mobility issues.
The resistance and hydrostatic pressure of water help build your furry friend’s muscles and improve their fitness while reducing swelling and pain. The buoyancy of water helps diminish the impact on your pet’s joints, and using warm water can help promote blood circulation.
Additionally, the buoyancy of the water provides support, allowing dogs to stay upright while reducing the risk of falling. This therapy enables dogs to gain better control over their movements, improving weight-bearing capabilities, especially after surgery. Water-based rehabilitation enhances muscle strength, balance, joint range of motion, coordination, and cardiovascular fitness, promoting overall recovery and mobility.
Benefits of Canine Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy
- Restores and enhances mobility: Canine rehabilitation aims to restore your dog’s ability to move comfortably by focusing on activities that improve joint range of motion, overall flexibility, and muscle strengthening.
- Weight and pain management: Additional weight can strain your dog’s joints and cause various issues. Canine rehabilitation and physiotherapy ensure your dog can safely shed excess weight to maintain overall well-being.
- Quicker recovery after injury or surgery: Surgeries take time to recover from, and canine rehabilitation and physiotherapy can encourage faster recovery times by promoting healing of surgical sites, preventing muscle atrophy, and slowly restoring mobility.
- Better cardiovascular health: Many techniques used in canine rehabilitation can also improve your dog’s blood circulation and reduce inflammation.
- Prevents future injuries: These therapeutic techniques ensure your dog is in peak physical health and minimise the risks or effects of future injuries.
Booking an Appointment at Bluewater Vet Acupuncture & Rehabilitation
When looking for rehabilitation and physiotherapy for your beloved pet, trained professionals are a non-negotiable factor. The Bluewater Vet Acupuncture & Rehabilitation team consists of a qualified and experienced team that has your dog’s best interests at heart. Get in touch with us today to find out more about what physical therapy best suits your pet.
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