Important Definitions
Postsurgical and neurological rehabilitation : In cases where animals have undergone specific orthopedic surgical procedures (such as fracture repair, hip replacement, cruciate ligament repair surgery), a rehabilitation program is tailored based on the type of surgery performed and that animal's response to therapy. Therapy is aimed at strengthening the affected area and supporting the healing process. Animals recovering from a neurological condition (such as a disc injury or surgery for lumbosacral stenosis) have specialized needs during the recovery process, which can include daily bladder expression, reeducation of neural pathways through weight-shifting and balance exercises, and protection from injury to areas of decreased sensation. Muscle mass must be maintained in order to maximize the chances for functional recovery. Neurological animals have a guarded prognosis for a return to full function, but many recover sufficiently to lead relatively normal lives.
Water therapy : Water has several components which make it extremely useful as an agent in rehabilitation. The buoyancy of the water effectively decreases the weight of an animal submerged in it, thus decreasing the impact of weight-bearing exercises. Water can be heated or cooled according to your needs. Water increases the resistance (work) required to move a limb, so it is excellent for building strength and endurance with a relatively short exercise session. The water also can support an animal so that weak animals that cannot stand unsupported on land might be able to stand and walk in water with minimal support. Water therapy can have a huge impact on your total rehab program. I love water therapy!
Electrical stimulation : Electrical stimulation (e-stim) uses electrodes applied to the skin over specific muscle groups to deliver a current that can stimulate a muscle contraction. At a different frequency, e-stim can be used to stimulate pathways to alter pain perception. The skin must be shaved in order to use e-stim on animals, so it is most often used immediately after surgery to manage pain or prevent muscle wasting (atrophy). Once an animal is able to bear weight on an affected area, the natural contractions of the muscles in movement are far stronger than any that can be generated by e-etim so there is no longer a need to continue electrical stimulation beyond that time.
Ultrasound : In rehab ultrasound (US) means therapeutic verses diagnostic ultrasound. Diagnostic US uses sound waves to create an image for examination (such as a sonogram of a baby or an echocardiogram of a heart). Therapeutic US uses sound waves to generate heat. US can heat tissues deeper and warmer than can be achieved with the application of a hot pack to the skin. US is used most often to heat tendons and ligaments prior to stretching exercises to improve flexibility. The affected area must be shaved in order to use US as the hair coat of animals will deflect the sound waves and prevent tissue penetration of the heat.
Therapeutic exercise : These are exercises designed with a specific goal in mind. We might ask dogs to walk over a series of low poles (caveletti) to encourage picking up of the legs and flexion of the joints. We might ask the dog to sit and stand repeatedly (as in a set of five) in order to strengthen the muscles in the rear. Various pieces of equipment are often used as well. An animal might be asked to stretch over a large ball or balance on a board that has an uneven base. Stair climbing, walking up and down hills and using a land treadmill are some other examples of things that might be used to strengthen a particular area of the body or increase endurance. Basic agility equipment can be used to work or stretch a particular target on the body-but the animals are maneuvering through these pieces of equipment slowly and with guidance, to prevent injury.
Arthritis and Obesity Management : Arthritis affects over half of all animals at some point in their lives. And frankly, far too many of our pets are seriously overweight. Weight loss alone can have a bigger impact on the management of arthritis pain than actual pain medication-with fewer side effects! Rehabilitation/wellness conditioning offers ways to manage arthritis and obesity to promote healthier, more active pets.
Pain management : Without adequate pain control, rehabilitation is not possible. Managing pain and inflammation are key parts of any rehab protocol. Newer medications are developed all the time. Combinations of pain medications can offer a greater degree of pain control than a single medication, and can often result in the use of lower doses. By pairing a good drug protocol with rehabilitation, we can achieve a better quality of life and mobility for your pet.
Sports Dog Assessment and Conditioning : More and more people are participating in the exciting world of dog sports-agility, flyball, lure coursing, dock diving…you name it, there is a sport for almost every type of dog. Some breeds are more prone to certain types of injuries. Many dogs are not fit enough to compete in their sport safely or have conformational issues that may increase the risk of injury. Well-dog fitness and conditioning can help assess weak areas in your dog's conformation and help develop exercise protocols to strengthen some areas in order to help prevent injury.
Nutrition : Animals recovering from injury, suffering from chronic disease, struggling with weight issues-all these animals can benefit from nutritional assessment and counseling. A review of your pet's changing needs in relation to diet is more important than most people realize. An improper energy and calcium balance in growing athletes can lead to joint problems. Carrying extra weight increases the risk of injury and worsens arthritis pain. As animals age, their nutritional needs change as well. It is important to periodically review your pet's dietary needs.
Wellness : Not everyone has a performance dog. The rest of us would enjoy maintaining a healthy level of activity for our pet. Even if your pet has no obvious health issues, regular physical activity can help maintain joint health and mobility well into the senior years and may help prevent injury as well. Many dogs that have successfully completed a rehab program can benefit from regular, less intense exercise sessions. It is not unusual for an animal to graduate from therapy to wellness care, especially if they have chronic conditions that are being managed.
Massage : Massage therapy has multiple benefits including improved circulation to an affected area and relaxing, tight, sore muscles. Best of all, most dogs really enjoy it! Massage is often part of a program combined with heat therapy prior to stretching or range of motion (ROM) exercises.
Heat and Cold therapy : The application of cold is most often used in rehab to decrease inflammation in acute injuries or decrease the inflammation that results after activity. The most common form this takes is that of a cold pack applied to an affected area for 5-10 minutes at a time. Hot packs are more often used to warm up tissues prior to stretching, to relax tense, sore muscles or to ease chronic painful situations. Heat can also be applied through the use of therapeutic ultrasound and using warm water in water therapy.
