What Is Canine Rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation for dogs includes prescribed physical exercises, stretches and manual therapies (massage, stretching, gentle joint mobilization and range of motion exercises), sometimes in addition to other physical treatment modalities (low level laser therapy, cryotherapy and heat therapy) with the goal of restoring or preserving the pet’s normal physical function and abilities. Canine rehabilitation is best applied following an orthopedic surgery to expedite recovery or to treat acute, chronic and progressive conditions related to a dog’s musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems.

In both humans and animals, well-established scientific studies exist in support of rehabilitation’s large variety of clinical applications, including:

• Accelerated healing and return to normal physical function following an injury or orthopedic surgery (cranial cruciate ligament repair, fracture stabilization and spinal surgeries)
• Pain relief
• Prevention of permanent physical disabilities
• Improvement of chronic conditions (osteoarthritis and neuropathy)
• Slowed progression of progressive medical conditions (degenerative myelopathy)

In addition to these beneficial applications of rehabilitation, it has also been shown to reduce the likelihood of a future re-injury by improving balance and range of motion, reducing scar tissue formation and strengthening key muscle groups.

An active dog is a healthy and happy dog. If physical limitations or movement disorders – due to acute conditions (surgery or injury) or chronic conditions (diseases, age-related conditions and obesity) – hinder your dog’s ability to move without pain, discomfort or physical distress, rehabilitation can help restore and/or maintain your pet’s physical capabilities to an optimal level of function.

Rehabilitation therapy can be applied to a whole host of diseases and conditions related to the canine musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. The following, however, are the most common conditions successfully addressed with rehabilitation therapy.

• Postoperative Cranial Cruciate Rupture Surgery – One of the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs, cranial cruciate ligament disease typically eventually requires surgery to repair the ligament. Post-operative rehabilitation is essential to restoring normal function to an affected dog.
• Postoperative Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy – A number of conditions and injuries (including coxofemoral luxation, femoral head and neck fracture and Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease) require this type of restorative surgery. Rehabilitation therapy reduces pain during recovery, accelerates healing and helps restore normal function.
• Spinal Cord Diseases – If a dog is diagnosed with spinal trauma or a spinal disease such as inflammatory disease, degenerative myelopathy or  intervertebral disc disease, then goals for rehabilitation would include managing pain, maintaining joint mobility, restoring/preventing muscle atrophy and coordination and improving proprioception (body-position awareness).
• Osteoarthritis – Since this condition often makes movement difficult for dogs, it causes them to be more sedentary, which in turn worsens the condition by causing weight gain and muscle atrophy. Assisted exercise allows the dog to strengthen muscles and remain active without putting pressure on sensitive joints.
• Obesity – One of the most common canine health concerns in the United States, an estimated 50% of dogs between the ages of five and ten are considered either overweight or obese. Obesity leads to a number of other serious health problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and heat intolerance. Canine rehabilitation allows obese dogs to burn calories, build muscle mass and lose weight on a set schedule to return to a healthy weight.

When considering a patient as a potential candidate for canine rehabilitation, our veterinarian will consider your pet’s general physical fitness (orthopedic and neurological health) and also perform a more specific thorough examination of muscle mass, strength, joint mobility and stability, range of motion, scar tissue formation, laxity, flexibility and pain.

After performing a thorough health assessment, which in addition to the physical evaluation might also include x-rays, scans, blood tests or other laboratory work, our veterinarian will collaborate with our rehabilitation specialist to devise a safe and effective treatment plan to target the patient’s specific physical conditions. The more thorough the physical examination and specific diagnosis, the better the treatment plan. With a detailed diagnosis of the patient’s condition, abilities and limitations, we can create a more directed care plan to address the dog’s individual needs.

When devising your pet’s treatment plan and implementation, our veterinarian and rehabilitation specialist will always consider the scientific evidence and study-based recommendations for your pet’s condition before prescribing or implementing rehabilitation plan. Your pet’s treatment plan will include rehabilitation therapies and modalities, an implementation schedule and an at-home care regimen.

Depending on your dog’s specific condition, we will apply a combination of treatment interventions based on their scientific indications for use (for example, pairing a treatment with a specific condition or body part). The various therapies recommended for your pet will work harmoniously, complementing each other to deliver compounding health benefits to your dog.