When Tripawds founder Spirit Jerry lost his leg, we didn’t know what we could be doing to make him more comfortable and live a safer, injury-free life. Today thanks to increasing numbers of canine rehabilitation therapists, more Tripawds are living healthier lives, free of aches and pains.
The following downloadable PDF from Today’s Veterinary Practice Journal is written by one of the world’s leading canine rehabilitation therapists, Dr. Debbie Gross Saunders, DPT, MSPT, CCRP Diplomate ABPTS.
Titled “Early Rehabilitation: Modalities and Exercises,” this article is written for veterinarians but it will give you an understanding about the types of treatments that are available for canine rehabilitation protocols.
Dr. Saunders writes:
- Decreasing pain
- Increasing range of motion
- Increasing strength
- Restoring tissue function.
In addition, inflammation will need to be decreased in order for function to be restored. Early rehabilitation modalities for patients that are post traumatic/athletic injury or surgery include:
- Cryotherapy
- Moist heat
- Laser therapy
- Range-of-motion and weight-shifting exercises
- Controlled walking
- Electrical stimulation
- Massage therapy
We like this article because it outlines all of the canine rehabilitation therapy options that are available to parents. If you’re searching for a canine rehabilitation therapist, your best bet is to find a practice that employes multiple modalities for treating dogs. For example, swim therapy is great fun but should only be one small part of a canine rehab program. Look for practitioners who use multiple methods to help your Tripawd live a strong, healthy life.
Download the article
“Early Rehabilitation: Modalities and Exercises” here
Searching for a canine rehabilitation therapy practitioner? Visit the Canine Rehabilitation Institute website.