CANINE PHYSIOTHERAPY
NP Vet Physio believes that as every dog has different lifestyles, environments and personalities, they should be treated as an individual, whether they are competitive / working dogs, a trusty pet in need of some attention or recovering from injury / surgery.
Physiotherapy can be beneficial whether your dog has a diagnosed condition, has been displaying behavioural changes or just on a 'maintenance' basis. Common conditions are listed below, however this list is not exhaustive!
If you are unsure whether your dog would benefit from physiotherapy please get in touch to discuss this.
HOW / WHEN MIGHT
PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP?
REHABILITATION / CONDITION MANAGEMENT
Physiotherapy can help improve pain levels, mobility and function. This may be due to an injury / surgery your dog is recovering from, or managing a new or long term condition.
Common conditions physiotherapy treatment can benefit include (but are not limited to):
- Arthritis / osteoarthritis
- Back problems
- Behaviour / performance changes
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Dysplasia (hip, elbow)
- Fractures
- Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE)
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
- Joint dysfunction (e.g. lumbosacral disease)
- Ligament / tendon / muscle injuries (e.g. cruciate ligament, biceps tendonitis etc)
- Luxating patella
- Muscle asymmetries / poor posture
- Neurological (nerve) conditions
- Obesity
- Pre / post competition / maintenance
- Post surgery rehabilitation
- Scar tissue
- Spondylosis
- Stiffness
- Strengthening and conditioning
- Wound healing
Whilst physiotherapy can benefit these conditions, it also helps manage compensatory mechanisms that may or may not be related to the primary issue.
NP Vet Physio will work alongside you and your vet (as well as any other professionals e.g. hydrotherapists or behaviourists) to create an individual treatment plan, and help you perform appropriate exercises.
MAINTENANCE
Your dog doesn't need to be suffering from a specific condition for physiotherapy to benefit them. Keeping on top of niggles helps prevent them from becoming bigger problems and allows areas of weakness to be highlighted.
Maintenance physiotherapy can help improve comfort and mobility. It assists in strengthening and conditioning dogs for specific sporting demands or just their every day requirements, and therefore also helps to reduce the likelihood of injury.
Even if your dog is not recovering from an injury, specific exercises will be advised to target better postures and muscle activation, to help them feel at their best.
BEHAVIOUR CHANGES
Changes of behaviour may indicate potential pain or discomfort. Therefore, it is important for these to be checked out by your vet, and physiotherapy may benefit the underlying cause.
Common behavioural changes include (but are not limited to):
- Reduced tolerance / sensitivity to touch, collar, harness or grooming
- Wanting to stop, sit or lie down more
- Unusual postures / gaits (e.g. pacing) / head or tail carriage
- Lack of engagement / interaction / appearing stressed
- Avoidance of or reactivity towards other animals
- Restlessness / sleeping more
- Avoidance of activities or certain areas in the home (e.g. slippery floors, stairs, getting in or out of cars)
- Performing new activities excessively
- Changes in performance