Are you aware that just like humans, dogs can also benefit from rehabilitation therapies? Canine rehabilitation is a branch of veterinary medicine focused on helping dogs recover from injuries or surgeries, manage chronic conditions or improve their overall physical condition. It’s the dog equivalent of human physical therapy, involving similar methods, equipment and exercises.
Why Would My Dog Benefit from Canine Rehabilitation?
A variety of circumstances can make canine rehabilitation a beneficial choice for your dog. Here are some of the conditions that canine rehabilitation can help with:
- Post-surgical recovery: Helping dogs regain strength and mobility after surgeries, such as cruciate ligament repair.
- Weight management: Assisting overweight dogs with exercise plans to shed those extra kilos in a safe manner.
- Ageing issues: Managing arthritis or mobility issues in older dogs to improve their quality of life.
- Chronic conditions: Treating conditions like muscle atrophy or hip dysplasia.
Remember, each dog’s needs are unique and a tailored rehabilitation plan can improve their quality of life significantly.
What Treatments and Therapies are Available?
There are a huge range of dog rehabilitation therapies available, including:
- Physical therapy: Otherwise known as physiotherapy, the treatment involves stretches, exercises and movements to improve a dog’s balance, mobility, strength, and flexibility.
- Laser treatments: Therapeutic lasers use light waves to stimulate healing at the cellular level. The light stimulates electrons and activates cells to promote muscle growth and repair.
- Hydrotherapy: This involves the use of water for pain relief and treatment. This low-impact therapy uses the natural buoyancy of water to help dogs exercise without stressing their joints. It can improve flexibility, circulation and muscle strength.
- Massage therapy: Manual manipulation of a dog’s body tissues to promote relaxation, improve circulation and relieve muscle tension.
- At home exercise programs: These are exercises tailored to your dog’s age and health conditions which you can practice at home to improve your dog’s strength and flexibility.
Why You Should Choose a Vet with Rehabilitation Services
Just like people, animals are living longer and will at some point in their lives, require pain management. By choosing a vet with rehabilitation services, you can create an effective management plan which combines holistic rehabilitation solutions, with more traditional veterinary recommendations, including an age-appropriate diet, exercise regime and relevant medications and supplements.
Contact Illawarra Animal Hospital Today
Illawarra Animal Hospital offers a range of effective canine rehabilitation services at Illawarra Animal Rehabilitation. We are experienced at helping dogs manage orthopaedic conditions, neurological conditions, post-surgery recovery and chronic pain caused by osteoarthritis and soft tissue injury.
Want to know how canine rehabilitation can help your dog live more comfortably? Contact us today and we’ll help you create a comprehensive treatment plan to suit your dog’s age, habits and personality.
