What Types of Dog Rehab Equipment Are Available?
Dog rehab equipment is an area of pet ownership that is growing rapidly. This is due to the fact that more and more dogs are becoming involved in sports, and injuries often occur during these activities.
Veterinary physical rehabilitation exercises and treatment techniques are essential for helping patients get back to their normal lives as quickly as possible. However, finding the right rehab equipment can be a challenge.
Hydrotherapy
If your dog has suffered an injury or is recovering from an illness, then it may be time to consider hydrotherapy. This form of dog rehab equipment is an effective way to relieve pain and improve movement in injured and arthritic animals.
It’s an effective method of rehabilitation for many different conditions, including hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament injuries, and arthritis. It’s also great for healthy dogs who want to build stamina and improve their fitness levels.
The benefits of hydrotherapy include increased joint mobility, a reduction in swelling, and improved muscle tone. It also helps reduce pain, increase strength, and promote relaxation.
This form of rehab is a popular choice among pet parents, but there are a few things you should know before you start your dog’s hydrotherapy sessions. First, make sure to check with your vet about the best type of hydrotherapy for your dog.
Typically, water therapy is a gentle exercise that requires a level of supervision from a professional hydrotherapist. These therapists will plan a series of therapy sessions based on the goals of your dog’s recovery.
There are three primary types of hydrotherapy: swimming, whirlpool therapy, and underwater treadmills. Each of these has its own benefits, so be sure to talk to your veterinary team about which option would be best for your dog’s specific needs.
Swimming is a gentle, non-weight-bearing exercise that will help your dog recover quickly from an injury or condition. In addition, it will improve joint flexibility and prevent recurrence of an injury.
Another benefit of swimming is that it’s a safe activity for older and sick dogs. However, it’s important to note that senior dogs or those with injuries should never swim alone.
Some pets may develop a respiratory or circulatory condition during or after hydrotherapy, so it’s important to monitor your dog closely. If they show signs of fatigue, stop the session immediately and consult with your vet.
Underwater treadmills are another popular option for dog rehab and are a highly effective way to increase joint mobility in dogs with arthritis or other painful conditions. They can also be used for weight loss and balance training.
Gait Training
Gait training is the process of retraining and strengthening the body’s walking abilities, especially in patients with neurological conditions or limb weakness. It is important for patients to learn to walk properly again because it can help them recover from injuries or surgeries and reduce the risk of future falls.
The type of gait training used in a patient’s program is based on their specific needs. This is determined by their medical history, the current level of activity and mobility, and the rehabilitation goals they have set for themselves during therapy evaluations.
Many of the exercises that are used in gait training are designed to strengthen and condition the muscles of the limbs affected by the disorder or injury. This is called proprioceptive training and it also improves coordination and balance.
One of the best pieces of dog rehab equipment is an underwater treadmill, which can be used to provide strength and conditioning as well as assist with joint flexion and range of motion. The warm water helps remove stress on the joints and facilitates muscle relaxation and pain relief.
Another piece of dog rehab equipment is a Solo-Step overhead track and harness system, which protects patients from falling while performing balance and gait training. It can support up to 420 pounds and provides a comfortable place for patients to practice these exercises without being at risk of injury.
A LiteGait-Veterinary unit, designed for quadrupeds weighing up to 200 pounds, is a great tool for patients that have neurological disorders and require gait training. This unit uses the concepts of Body Weight Support Treadmill Training (BWSTT) and can be beneficial to dog rehab equipment patients who are recovering from stroke, spinal cord injury, or other disorders that affect the ability to walk safely and efficiently.
Overground gait training is often the most common physical therapy intervention provided to stroke patients. However, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests more focused protocols can be even more effective than overground gait training alone. This has been shown in the areas of task-oriented training, cardiovascular fitness, effective weight transfer, and dual-task performance in both acute and chronic stroke patients.
Acupuncture/Dry Needling
Acupuncture and dry needling are two forms of dog rehab equipment that can help with a variety of conditions. The benefits of these treatments include the ability to release anti-inflammatory chemicals, improve blood flow, and increase oxygenation to tissues. Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine and uses special needles to promote healing.
It’s also very safe for dogs of all ages and conditions. However, it dog rehab equipment typically requires a series of treatments and a cooperative patient.
Usually performed by a veterinary professional, acupuncture is a non-invasive therapy that can promote healing and reduce pain by changing the body’s energy flow, or chi. It can be helpful for a variety of conditions, including back pain, muscle strains, and osteoarthritis.
The needles used in acupuncture are tiny and are placed in very specific points throughout the body called acupuncture points. Depending on the condition and needs of the animal, a number of different acupuncture techniques may be utilized during the session.
Dry needling is another form of acupuncture and is used to target myofascial trigger points (tight, knotted muscles). These areas can irritate the nerves or cause other problems in the muscle.
In a clinical trial, direct dry needling was found to be as effective as wet needling in reducing myofascial pain and muscle spasm. The procedure is safe and can be effective in addressing a wide range of myofascial conditions.
Trigger points are hyperirritable taut bands of muscle that elicit referred pain patterns when pressure is applied to them. They can occur in the muscles, ligaments, or fascia. They’re caused by overuse, trauma, or stress.
These symptoms can be incredibly painful and can impact a dog’s quality of life. They can also restrict movement and cause muscle fatigue.
Both dry needling and acupuncture have their place in the world of holistic wellness and can be useful in treating conditions like arthritis, muscle strains, and neck and back pain. But, they’re not meant to replace conventional treatment methods and may not be right for everyone.
Some side effects of dry needling include bruising or bleeding at the needle site and a temporary increase in pain. These symptoms are rare and should not be serious if you follow instructions from your therapist.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy is a form of rehabilitation treatment that uses hands-on techniques to reduce pain, improve mobility and enhance tissue healing. It’s a great option for dogs with arthritis, joint stiffness or injuries that don’t respond well to physical exercise.
Depending on the specific issue, a veterinarian or physical therapist may use massage and range of motion to alleviate painful symptoms. They can also use other types of manual therapy including myofascial release, strain/counter strain, muscle energy and integrative therapy.
Your therapist will assess the area to determine what type of manual therapy treatment will be most effective for your dog. This type of physical therapy is beneficial for almost all patients and can be used in conjunction with other treatments.
A therapist will typically start by applying massage technique to your dog’s body to relax muscles and promote circulation, lymphatic flow and fluid balance. Afterward, they may apply traction to the same areas to stretch and release tissues.
In addition to using manual therapy, a rehabilitation practitioner will create an individualized exercise plan for your pet. This is essential to reducing pain, improving strength and preventing future injury.
The therapist will then work to strengthen the muscles in the affected area by performing exercises that challenge the muscle groups and improve overall muscle tone. These can include walking in a circle, sit-to-stands, and even weight shifting.
Another benefit of using manual therapy is that it is more effective at relieving pain than exercise alone. Studies have shown that exercise alone isn’t enough to prevent chronic pain or rehabilitate injured muscles.
This type of therapy is a great option for easing arthritis, back pain, hip pain, sprains, and other ailments that affect the bones, joints, or ligaments. It’s a safe and noninvasive way to treat these painful conditions without the use of harmful pain medications.
The therapist will apply pressure to the affected area using a range of massage techniques like transverse friction, edema, effleurage, and petrissage. These techniques can help decrease swelling, increase blood flow to the affected area, bring in nutrients and disperse waste products, break up scar tissue adhesions, and stimulate tissue regeneration.
