Osteoarthritis in Dogs
Overview: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in dogs, affecting approximately a quarter of the population. It is a chronic joint disease characterized by loss of joint cartilage, thickening of the joint capsule and new bone formation around the joint (osteophytosis) and ultimately leading to pain and limb dysfunction. Majority of OA in dog occur secondarily to developmental orthopedic disease, such as cranial cruciate ligament disease, hip...
Orthopedic Equipment for Dogs Designed for Increased Mobility and Extra Support
Do you have a dog recovering from orthopedic or neurologic surgery, one who has mobility issues, or a senior dog who has arthritis? If so, at some point, you have probably wished you could do something – anything! – to help make your dog’s life (and your own) a little easier. As someone who has shared her life recently with two large breed, geriatric dogs, I can attest firsthand that...
What Are the Different Types of Dog Physical Therapy?
If your dog is recovering from injury or surgery, canine physical therapy is frequently the next step in the healing process. Dog physical therapy is an adaptation of the same types of techniques and modalities used for humans. The goal is to decrease pain while increasing increase mobility, function and overall quality of life. Here you’ll find an overview on the variety of different treatments and their pros and cons....
Choose Exercises That Match Your Dog's Level of Fitness
"In my classes students are encouraged to ALWAYS go back to basics if your dog does not have the strength to complete the exercise or does not understand the movement needed for the exercise shown." ~Bobbie Lyons The exercises you choose for your dog should always match the dog’s level of fitness and support the movements and demands that your dog places on his body. You also have to consider...
The Importance of Pain Assessment in Rehabilitation Patients
A look at the causes and effects of pain, and how to assess your patients before beginning rehab. Veterinary physical rehabilitation is most effective when a multimodal approach is used. Arguably, the most important aspect of multimodal management for these patients is proper pain control. Rehabilitation will be counterproductive if the patient’s pain is not identified and managed appropriately.1 Localizing, assessing, and managing pain are imperative to improve patient comfort...
It's NOT Just a Dog
This poem says it all - it's NOT "just a dog". If you get it, then you know. "Just a Dog - Unknown Author" - Dr. Noel Fitzpatrick is a veterinary surgeon fittingly known as "The Supervet". His fierce passion for pets and their wellbeing shines through when he reads this tender poem. Listen in...If you're here on Vital Vet, you get it! It's not..."Just a Dog". Thank you, Dr....
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy provides many benefits for our rehabilitation patients. Hydrotherapy uses buoyancy, resistance, viscosity, and hydrostatic pressure to help an animal move injured or arthritic joints through water. The buoyance of the body in water lowers their body weight, thus lowering the stress on joints. The resistance of walking through the water provides most of the work, while lifting a limb and breaking the surface tension of the water provides an...
Can You Spot Muscle Atrophy?
What is muscle atrophy in dogs? It sounds alarming, but what does it look like and how can you help your four-legged friend? Here’s a quick overview. What is muscle atrophy? Muscle atrophy means when the muscles of your dog’s body weaken or waste away. It usually affects a dog’s back legs, but it can also occur in the head or the belly. Signs to look out for If your...