What does a dog have in common with a human?

Physiotherapy & Exercise Physiology For Dogs - New Life Vet

Dogs have been a part of our life since their domestication roughly 15,000 years ago.

In recent times dogs have become a much cherished part of the family, and as we value our pets, we have come to expect a very high level of veterinary care for our beloved pooches. And we want them to be able to weather the storms of life, just as we do.

We now have the enormous privilege to be able to offer our dogs services such as CT and MRI scans, complicated surgeries, cancer therapies and advanced medical services.

I recently had a conversation with a local physiotherapist, working in the field of knee reconstruction and asked if there was ever a situation where an orthopaedic surgeon would recommend a reconstructive surgery and not also recommend rehabilitation or physiotherapy.

In the human discipline of orthopaedic care, this situation just doesn’t exist, because there is an overwhelming body of evidence to suggest that physiotherapy is crucial to a positive outcome following knee reconstruction.

In veterinary medicine, rehabilitation and physiotherapy is a young but rapidly growing discipline. But sadly, it is still common place to recommend surgical options without a structured rehabilitation program.

Suffice to say, that the benefits of physiotherapy extend far beyond knee reconstruction, and indeed exist across the vast variety of orthopaedic and medical procedures. Physiotherapy can benefit conditions from pregnancy to geriatric care, respiratory health to bladder health and every muscle group and bone in between.

So, it seems reasonable, that our dogs that have access to spinal surgery can also access neurological rehabilitation, to help them get back on their feet and walk. 

It stands to reason that if you can repair a cruciate ligament and spend some thousands in the process, that it is logical to protect that investment with rehabilitation and strengthening for your pet’s operated limb, to ensure a positive outcome.

New Life Vet is a veterinary rehabilitation service that can assist your pet in a range of ways following orthopaedic surgeries or injuries. If your pet is needing help in their recovery, please don’t hesitate to contact us and get the conversation started.

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