Veterinary physiotherapy follows principles similar to human physiotherapy, helping restore movement and function after injury, illness, or disability. It also aids in preventing future issues. An article from Saed News discusses common problems in dogs that physiotherapy can help treat.
Animal physiotherapy is a branch of physiotherapy that helps animals recover from injuries and manage chronic conditions. It includes therapies such as:
Massage therapy
Cold therapy
Hydrotherapy (water therapy)
Exercise programs
The goal of these treatments is to improve an animal's mobility, strength, and overall health.
✅ Improved Mobility: Helps restore movement in pets recovering from injuries, surgeries, or age-related mobility issues.
✅ Increased Strength: Specialized physiotherapy enhances muscle strength and endurance, improving a pet's activity levels and quality of life while strengthening its bond with its owner.
✅ Better Balance: Improves coordination and balance, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
✅ Overall Physical Health: By enhancing mobility, strength, and balance, physiotherapy contributes to better overall health, allowing pets to live happier and healthier lives.
Physiotherapy can address a wide range of conditions in dogs, including:
Lameness
Neurological disorders
Functional impairments
Muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries
Chronic pain and behavioral issues
Research has shown that physiotherapy can significantly improve conditions such as:
Arthritis
Sudden or chronic lameness
Post-surgical recovery (eg, TPLO knee surgery, fracture rehabilitation, hip joint replacement)
Spinal or neurological conditions (eg, stenosis, intervertebral disc disease, sciatica)
Hip and elbow dysplasia
Carpal hyperextension injuries
Muscle tears and strains
Tendon and ligament sprains
Amputation rehabilitation
Trigger points and myofascial pain
Respiratory physiotherapy for lung issues
A veterinary physiotherapist conducts a thorough assessment of your pet, asks detailed questions, reviews the animal's medical history, and, if possible, performs a full gait analysis.
During the manual evaluation, the physiotherapist may use gentle manipulation techniques, neurological assessments, and other stress-free approaches to ensure both the pet and owner feel comfortable.
They may also use specialized equipment such as:
Posture analyzers (to measure weight distribution)
Measuring tapes (to assess muscle mass symmetry)
Goniometers (to measure joint range of motion)
Veterinary physiotherapy can greatly improve your dog's quality of life, whether it is recovering from an injury or managing a chronic condition.
