Several years ago, when one of my dogs had cruciate surgery, there were no canine rehabilitation options available to speed her recovery.  More recently, when she suffered from Fibro Cartilaginous Embolism (FCE)/Ischemic Myelopathy (IS) she received physical therapy, including underwater treadmill and balancing exercises. Her therapy extended her mobility by nearly a year.

Physical rehabilitation for animals has become a popular veterinary specialty. Now, dogs and other animals can be helped with rehabilitation therapies similar to those that are available to their human owners. Recently, I had the chance to talk with veterinarian, Janine Callen, DVM, of Therapeutic Options, Inc., a Pennsylvania animal rehabilitation facility (www.twinbrookanimalclinic.com).

NM: Dr. Callen, can you define canine rehabilitation?  Please tell us what therapy options are included in canine rehabilitation?  Is this a recent development in specialized veterinary care? 

The American Veterinary Medical Association defines Veterinary Physical Therapy as “the use of non-invasive techniques, excluding Veterinary Chiropractic, for the rehabilitation of injuries in non-human animals”.  Veterinarians could see the benefits of humans undergoing physical therapy post-operatively and felt the need to improve the quality of care for their own patients.  Most of the principles and techniques that have been applied to human physical therapy can be applied to animals.  Equine physical rehabilitation began in the 1960’s.  Interest in canine rehabilitation began to gain momentum in the late 1980’s and continues today. 

NM: Assuming that this is a specialized veterinary service, when might a veterinarian make a referral to you for rehabilitation therapy?

There are many conditions for which a veterinarian referral for physical rehabilitation is indicated.  Muscle strains and sprains are common in canine athletes (e.g., agility or flyball competitors) and working dogs (e.g., gun dogs or herding dogs).  The recovery time can be shortened by physical rehabilitation so they can get back to their jobs more quickly.  Arthritic and overweight dogs can benefit from conditioning programs and using the underwater treadmill.  Recent studies have demonstrated that dogs with neurological problems, like Bernese Mountain Dogs with FCE/IS or Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), can achieve improved limb function, thus extending their mobility and quality of life.  Rehab after broken bones have been repaired surgically or by splinting can help the patient regain the muscle mass lost and return to full use of the leg.  Chronic pain can be managed with exercise, low-level laser therapy, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and acupuncture.  Physical therapy isn’t all about dogs with problems, though.  It can be used to help prevent injury and to maintain strength and flexibility, which is especially good for the working dogs.

NM:  Can you describe how you go about developing a rehabilitation plan for a canine patient that is referred to you by another veterinarian?  What is the role of the pet owner in this process?  What can the pet owner do at home to support the therapy done by the veterinary rehabilitation professional? 

The patients are thoroughly examined for musculoskeletal and/or neurological problems by a veterinarian trained in animal physical rehabilitation or by a human physical therapist trained in animal rehab.  Depending on the type of problem, muscle mass and joint range of motion may be measured to help us quantify a patient’s progress.  Based on the findings of the evaluation, a rehab program is developed specifically for each patient.  The pet owners are welcome to participate in the rehab process or, if they prefer, can have their pet admitted to the clinic for therapy.  We also tailor a home exercise program to fit the pet’s needs and the owner’s lifestyle.  The referring veterinarian will be sent a letter after the initial visit and will be updated with progress reports.

NM: Dr. Callen, can you tell us about the experiences of one or two of your favorite canine rehab patients? 

One of our first rehab patients was Ginger, a 9 year-old German Shepherd, who had been hit by a car and had broken her pelvis.  A metal plate had been applied surgically to the broken bone and it had healed well but Ginger would not walk.  She had not walked for five weeks by the time she came to us.  The owner had been carrying this 90 pound dog in and out to go potty, and took her for a ride in the car every day because it was the only activity that interested her anymore.  When she came in for her evaluation and her second rehab appointment, we had to carry her on a stretcher.  When we went out to the car to get her on the third appointment, she was standing there waiting for us.  She started walking after her third session, and from then on, it was hard to keep her down.

NM: Is rehabilitation just for animal athletes (e.g., agility, flyball competitors) or can a regular pet benefit from the procedures?

Rehabilitation can be a benefit to any of our canine companions, not just the athletes and working dogs.  A large number of our canine patients are overweight and/or aging animals with various stages of osteoarthritis.  With stretching and strengthening exercises and weight loss programs, we can decrease their need for pain medications and improve their overall quality of life.

NM: Other than dogs, what other species of pets benefit from rehab therapy?

Horses and cats have been known to respond well to physical rehabilitation.  I’ve heard stories about pigs, goats, and sea turtles that have been helped, also, so I think that rehab could be beneficial for just about any animal.

NM: What advice can you give a pet owner for evaluating veterinary rehabilitation options?

There are currently only two programs in the United States that offer certification in canine rehabilitation.  I would suggest finding a veterinarian and/or physical therapist who has completed the course work in either or both of these programs.  The Canine Rehabilitation Institute (in Florida) has 2 types of certification available:  Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) for veterinarians and physical therapists, and Certified Canine Rehabilitation Assistant (CCRA)  for veterinary technicians.  The University of Tennessee has a certificate program in Canine Physical Rehabilitation available to veterinarians, physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, veterinary technicians, and certified athletic trainers.  Participants receive the designation of Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CCRP). 

 

© 2006 Nancy Paule Melone (Reprinted with Permission)