Canine rehabilitation is a growing field recognizing that dogs can benefit from a specific exercise plan and other therapeutic modalities that enhance fitness, decrease pain, and restore functioning.
When it comes to recovering from injuries and surgery, physical therapy or rehabilitation has assisted many people. Physical rehab is increasingly helping animals restore their functionality, mobility, and quality of life. Read on to understand more about canine rehabilitation.
What is Canine Rehab?
Canine rehabilitation is a growing field recognizing that dogs can benefit from a specific exercise plan and other therapeutic modalities that enhance fitness, decrease pain, and restore functioning. In addition, canine rehab values the relationships between the owner, animal, veterinarian, and other animal health care providers.
Modalities
Underwater Treadmill Therapy
Canines struggling after an injury or surgery often regain their normal gait by relearning to walk on a treadmill. Additionally, the treadmill belt helps patients use less of their effort and muscles to walk independently. It also allows the veterinary staff to control the speed in which your dog is walking. This helps control the stress on their legs as well as forces them into the deliberate gait that we are looking for. Aquatic therapy excels at helping pets get back into or stay in excellent health. The buoyancy of the water helps alleviate the strain on the joints and muscles. It also uses the water’s therapeutic properties to enhance the range of motion, boost endurance, and strengthen muscles. Fortunately, Mount Carmel Animal Hospital provides the Under Water Treadmill (UWT) as part of its comprehensive approach to patient care!
Massage
Numerous massage techniques relax muscles, minimize stress, enhance circulation, and decrease pain in pets with injuries or arthritis.
Passive Range of Motion
Canine rehabilitation professionals assist patients in completing passive range-of-motion exercises to help them regain their normal function during recovery and enhance circulation to cartilage for healing.
Neuromuscular stimulation
Electrical stimulation can strengthen muscles and minimize muscle wasting in pets who cannot utilize specific strengths or suffer temporary paralysis.
Laser Therapy
Low-level laser therapy utilizes brilliant light to decrease pain and inflammation while healing patients with problems like surgical incisions, arthritis, and other wounds. At Mount Carmel Animal Hospital, we provide cold laser therapy appropriate for canine and feline patients.
Therapeutic Ultrasound
This therapy employs sound waves of different frequencies and intensities to increase blood flow and simplify wound healing when applied to tissues. Overall, this therapy can treat pain, tendonitis, muscle spasms, scar tissue buildup, and wounds.
Therapeutic Exercises
Using various exercises to target your pet’s specific muscle groups, rebuild muscle after disuse, and strengthen core muscles. Here at Mount Carmel Animal Hospital, we have multiple tools and varying equipment to help increase the range of motion and flexibility, improve flexes, and build muscle tone and endurance.
What Pets Benefit from Rehab?
Veterinary physical rehabilitation can benefit almost every pet experiencing a chronic inflammatory disease or recovering from a wound or injury. The conditions that may benefit from physical rehab include:
- Obesity
- Paralysis
- Hip dysplasia
- Spinal injury
- Nerve disorders
- Tendon, ligament, and muscle injuries
- Traumatic injuries
- Rear limb weakness
- Recovery from musculoskeletal surgery
CCRP Certification
The University of Tennessee Canine Rehabilitation Certificate Program (CCRP) is the world’s first university-based, RACE-approved credential program for caring professionals. The programs include a blended system of live labs and online classes. In addition, the CCRP program, along with the academic approach of the Veterinary Academy of Higher Learning, provides tools and opportunities for collaboration and consultation with experts, instructors, and experienced CCRP graduates with credentials. Most importantly, this exclusive program is open only to licensed veterinary technicians, veterinarians, physical therapy assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and active students in one of these professions.
HERE AT MOUNT CARMEL ANIMAL HOSPITAL, WE’LL TREAT YOUR PETS LIKE FAMILY!
Mount Carmel Animal Hospital has been serving the Northern Baltimore/Southern York community for over 30 years and is proud to be an independently operated, small animal practice committed to excellence in veterinary medicine and client service. From grooming to wellness services, along with Canine Life Skills Training Courses, and surgical procedures, we have the expertise that will best serve the needs of you and your pet. Contact us at 410-343-0200 and follow us on Facebook!