When recovering from orthopedic surgery, dogs, like humans, need more than rest. According to surgeons ‘ experts, six weeks of rest following surgery does not result in healthy pets or happy owners. Dog rehabilitation involves carefully strengthening the muscles surrounding weakened bones or joints so that the dog may eventually return to regular activity.
Physical therapy in humans and veterinary medicine have a lot in common when it comes to rehabilitation treatment. Anatomy differs from species to mammal. A person’s behavior and performance may drastically change when the joints, bones, muscles, and tendons in their body are under extreme stress.
Benefits of Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy
The vet’s physical therapy enhances your dog’s performance. They recover more quickly and feel better about themselves when they move effectively. Here are the benefits of treatment for your animal friends.
Improves Weight Bearing
Since the animal must use its post-operative leg, you may engage it in any safe activity that encourages it to use that limb. Post-operative weight bearing on any surgically intervened limb has been promoted using various therapeutic exercise methods. Looking for a customized treatment program tailored to your pet’s condition and requirements.? Click here.
Extends Range of Motion
Hip extension must be restored to its former position as much as possible as part of the treatment plan for this illness. Active range of motion (ROM) may help you recover extension. Let’s say the animal, on the other hand, is unwilling to move. Physiotherapy is required to get the animal to stretch its hip joints.
Strengthening
It is essential to treat post-operative muscular atrophy in the rear limbs to prevent problems. Several therapy methods may be used to help strengthen the hips and thighs. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) are common treatments for dogs unable to move independently. You can also protect your pet from severe disease by keeping your cat and dog shots up to date.
Alleviate Discomfort
Adhesions formed in the distal muscle due to blood tracking from the surgical site, and soft tissue injury that happened at the same time as the operation may cause pain. This ailment may be treated with modalities and massage, for example.
Conclusion
After some operations, dogs may lose up to one-third of their muscle mass after a few weeks. It may take up to a year for muscle mass to recover if a pet receives the same therapy a second time. Stretching and exercise sessions in physiotherapy may increase weight-bearing capacity, range-of-motion (ROM) and relieve discomfort.
Rehabilitation techniques help people go back to their daily routines more quickly and with less stress. Pets’ chances of recovering after an injury depend on various variables, such as whether they were a working dog or a house pet, how severe the damage was, and how well they were cared for physically and psychologically overall.