Pets can experience improved mobility, pain relief, and enhanced quality of life through Dr. David Dycus’ specialized rehabilitation programs. Our Fusion Veterinary Orthopedics team explains the benefits, methods, and importance of physical rehabilitation in veterinary medicine.
What is veterinary rehabilitation?
Veterinary rehabilitation is a specialized field that focuses on improving all pets’ physical health, mobility, and overall quality of life. The programs involve various therapeutic techniques and exercises to help pets recover from injury or surgery or to manage chronic conditions. Rehabilitation aims to return your pet to as close to normal function as quickly as possible.
What conditions can veterinary rehabilitation benefit?
Rehabilitation therapy can help manage and treat pets affected by acute and chronic conditions, including:
- Orthopedic injuries — Fractures, ligament and tendon injuries, and joint issues, such as hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis
- Neurological disorders — Conditions such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and nerve injuries
- Post-surgical recovery — Rehabilitation following surgical stabilization of a cranial cruciate ligament tear or hip replacement, or spinal surgery
- Chronic pain — Management of chronic conditions, such as osteoarthritis
- Obesity — Weight management programs to reduce the strain on joints and improve overall health
- Sports injuries — Rehabilitation for working and performance dogs
Rehabilitation exercises can also be used to help maintain peak performance in canine athletes.
What techniques are used in veterinary rehabilitation?
Veterinary rehabilitation uses many techniques to alleviate pain and help improve neurological function and joint, muscle, tendon, and ligament health. Modalities include:
- Heat and cold therapy — This involves applying heat to relax muscles and increase blood flow, or cold packs to reduce inflammation and numb acute pain.
- Therapeutic exercises — Tailored exercise programs target specific muscles and joints to improve strength, flexibility, and coordination. These may include balance activities, resistance training, and stretching exercises.
- Hydrotherapy — Water-based exercises, such as swimming or walking on an underwater treadmill, reduce stress on joints while providing resistance for muscle strengthening.
- Laser therapy — Low-level laser therapy helps reduce pain and inflammation and promotes healing by stimulating cell regeneration and blood circulation.
- Massage therapy — Therapeutic massage helps relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, and reduce pain. Massage is particularly beneficial for pets with chronic pain or post-surgery.
- Electrical stimulation — Low-level electrical currents stimulate muscle contractions to improve muscle strength and function.
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy – The usage of sound waves to help reduce pain and inflammation and promote tissue healing
What are the benefits of veterinary rehabilitation?
Veterinary rehabilitation offers pets many benefits, including:
- Pain management — Managing pain is a primary goal, whether the pain is because of surgery, injury, or a chronic condition, such as osteoarthritis.
- Improved mobility — Rehabilitation exercises can significantly enhance a pet’s mobility, especially after surgery or injury. The rehabilitation team at Fusion Veterinary Orthopedics tailors exercises for your pet to help strengthen muscles, improve joint function, and restore normal movement.
- Enhanced recovery — Post-surgical rehabilitation is crucial for successful recovery. Physical rehabilitation accelerates the healing process by promoting blood flow, reducing scar tissue formation, and preventing complications like muscle atrophy.
- Weight management — Pet obesity is a common problem that leads to various health issues. Rehabilitation programs that include controlled exercise and nutritional counseling can help pets lose weight safely and maintain a healthy body condition.
- Strengthening and conditioning — Rehabilitation programs are designed to strengthen muscles and improve cardiovascular health.
- Improved quality of life — Physical rehabilitation improves the pet’s overall quality of life by alleviating pain, increasing mobility, and enhancing physical function. Rehabilitated pets can enjoy their lives to the fullest.
Veterinary physical rehabilitation is a powerful tool that can significantly improve your pet’s life. By addressing pain, enhancing mobility, and promoting overall well-being, rehabilitation helps with injury recovery, chronic condition management, and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. If you think your pet can benefit from veterinary physical rehabilitation, contact our Fusion Veterinary Orthopedics team to schedule an appointment with Dr. David Dycus.
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