At-Home Physical Therapy Exercises For Your Dog By Pierre Mouchette | Bits-n-Pieces Just like humans who hurt their backs, physical therapy for dogs with spine problems can be a huge benefit. It can increase mobility, improve strength, and maintain overall health. There is physical therapy for a dog’s hind legs, core, and balance. Canine rehabilitation can be conducted in a clinical setting, and there are dog physical therapy exercises you can do at home. Both can be a significant advantage to your dog’s well-being.
The following are all routine rehab and massage techniques prescribed by veterinarians and canine PTs to improve conditions that range from arthritis to disc disease and neurological disorders. They are easy to learn, and most dogs will like the time they spend doing them with you. Be sure to check with your vet before starting the exercises. Note: Every case of spine disease or injury is unique. Your dog’s vet will know whether or not your pet can tolerate the exercises below. Obtain their approval before starting, and remember to stop any exercise that is painful for your dog. When your dog first comes home from the hospital (after spine surgery). Your job is to provide primary nursing care. It includes preventing pressure sores by moving your pet every 4 hours and gently washing them daily with a warm wet towel to prevent urine scald. Any physical therapy should be limited to lightly stimulating their limbs. Dog physical therapy exercises to do during the early stages of recovery Many dogs are confined to crate rest during the first 3 to 4 weeks after coming home. The following are gentle exercises that can be performed at that time. Massage - a light massage up and down your dog’s body will improve circulation and increase muscle tone. During the first week, massage your put at least three times a day for very short periods. Place your dog on their side while you rub each major muscle group. Start at the shoulders and work your way down to the rear limbs. Remember, this is not a deep-tissue massage. It is a slow, gentle rub down. Toe Squeeze - the goal of this exercise is to improve your dog's chances of regaining feelings in their limbs and paws. To do the exercise, pull or squeeze the toes on each affected paw. Your touch should be firm but NOT hard enough to injure your dog. If you do this exercise on a healthy, able-bodied dog, they would automatically pull their leg away from your pinch. It is a natural reflex to pull away from a painful stimulus. The goal is to see if your dog’s body can relearn this response. Passive Range of Motion (PROM) Only start this exercise if you can move your dog’s limbs in all directions without causing pain to your put. Start the range of motion technique with your dog lying on their side. Gently flex and release each toe on one limb ten times. Next, slowly flex the leg out and then into the hip ten times. And finally, slowly rotate the limb in a circular motion. It should look like a human when we ride a bike. First, circle in one direction and then reverse it. Once you have finished with one limb, move to the next. Then, gently flip your dog to the other side and repeat the exercise. Strength Training This exercise is good for dogs who are recovering from surgery and those who are paralyzed. It helps with balance, weight-bearing, and strengthening the core. Lie your dog on their side while you gently grab the limbs. Roll the body from side to side. If your dog does well with this, add a large balance ball to the routine. Lie your dog face down on top of the ball and slowly roll the ball from side to side. Dogs gain balance from this technique because they are using their abdominal muscles. The exercise also benefits dogs in wheelchairs who need to keep their stomach/core muscles strong. Stand and Count - have your dog stand up and time how long it takes before they need to sit or lie down. The goal is to increase their standing time if they tolerate it slowly. Stand and Shift Weight - gently push the hips to one side while your dog is standing. It only needs to be an inch or two. The goal is to see if your dog can correct the push and center their position on their own. If your dog has trouble, try supporting their body with one hand under their belly while doing the exercise. Do five repetitions. Sit and Stand - have your dog sit and then stand up. Do this five times to increase strength. Tail Pinch - have your dog walk in front of you and gently pinch the tip of their tail as you follow behind. It helps improve awareness of the legs and tail. Heads Up - this can be done in a standing or sitting position. Hold a small treat up, higher than your dog’s head. It will cause your dog to lift their head and neck to grab the treat. Next, hold the treat down to your dog’s chest so they lower their head to grab it. Repeat this 15 times. Once your dog has accomplished this skill, place the treat on one side of your dog and then the other so they have to reach around to get it. Do not forget playtime. Go outside - when your dog is released from crate rest, take them outdoors. It does not matter if they walk with a dog wheelchair or a harness, use a stroller, or scoot around. Dogs love spending time outside. The fresh air, playtime, and spending an hour cruising their neighborhood can be the best medicine for a disabled pooch. If your dog’s in a wheelchair or harness, practice walking on different terrains. Change from a flat surface to one with a slight slope or walk on the grass and then the sidewalk. Each surface helps your dog with balance. Being outdoors is mentally stimulating and fun for your pet, so make the walk casual and stress-free. Walking also increases a dog’s appetite and improves digestion.
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