If you peek inside CSU’s Small Animal Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy service, you might see Emma the Akita suspended in equipment to help her walk, Abby Gail the Labrador lounged out on the mat table receiving manual therapies, and Penny the dachshund practicing in her new wheelchair. The room is bright, filled with exercise balls and toys, and the atmosphere is calm, with soothing music. The space is designed this way with intent. Just like humans, pets learn best in supportive environments, free of negative stimulus and stress. Here, pets will only receive gentle touch and kind words from the skilled rehabilitation team who guides them through the healing process.
All pets seen in our service have been thoroughly evaluated by a veterinarian – either their own or CSU’s veterinary specialists. They are referred for treatments to improve functional mobility, return to sport (conformation, agility), or return to work (search and rescue). Like Emma the Akita, some patients are referred after orthopedic surgery. Like Abby Gail the labrador, some patients are referred for age-related issues like osteoarthritis. And other patients, like Penny the Dachshund, are referred for neurological issues.
For many diagnoses that lead to mobility issues, rehabilitation may help. A veterinarian can tell you if your pet may benefit from rehabilitation.
About the rehabilitation process
Most commonly, the first step in rehabilitation is reducing function-limiting pain through therapeutic techniques like laser therapy, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation. They may also receive massages, stretches, and joint mobilizations. Some of these treatments are safe to complete at home and will be prescribed in the home program, which includes videos, written instructions, and an exercise tracker to help with compliance.
With pain improved, the second step is increasing range of motion and flexibility. Just like in humans, a limitation in joint movement due to osteoarthritis, for example, can lead to tight and weak muscles that limit function. Humans with hip osteoarthritis can have difficulty going up stairs, and the same is true for dogs. Reduced hip range of motion and strength can make getting upstairs difficult or impossible. In rehabilitation, pets receive manual therapies to improve range of motion and stretches to improve flexibility. This improvement is maintained with a home program that includes fun, treat-centric therapeutic exercises. With range of motion and flexibility improved, the third step is strength and conditioning. This often includes underwater treadmill, robust strengthening exercises, and home programs that will have the neighbors asking, “is that an exercise band your dog is wearing?”
With pain resolved, range of motion and flexibility improved, and function returned, there is only one final but very important step – a maintenance home program. Just like humans, the “use-it-or-lose-it” principle applies. Most maintenance programs include home exercises completed three times per week with long walks and return to sport. At this point in the rehabilitation process, some clients are having so much fun with their dogs, they even create a dog gym in their home!
If you peek inside CSU’s Small Animal Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy service, you will find a bright, supportive, caring environment with a team who supports you and your pet through the entire rehabilitation process from limited to optimal function.
If your pet does not yet have a diagnosis, please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian or CSU’s Orthopedic Medicine and Mobility service.
If your pet has been diagnosed by your veterinarian, please ask your veterinarian to complete the veterinary orders for rehabilitation form, and our clinical coordinator will reach out to schedule your pet for an initial evaluation.