Just as important as it is to restrict your pet’s activity, we must also ensure that your pet has appropriate physiotherapy, so that they heal successfully.
It is always encouraged to pursue structured physiotherapy for your pet – Ask your veterinarian about nearby physiotherapy facilities that they use and when it would be suitable for your pet to have their first visit. Generally, around 4 weeks after surgery is appropriate for most procedures. These facilities tend to have a long wait period prior to being able to get an appointment, so make this one of your first “to-do’s”.
The right amount of physiotherapy will help your pet:
1. Maintain muscle mass and flexibility
Muscle atrophy and stiffness are very common after surgery, and they are a major source of limping and prolonged recovery.
2. Maintain joint health and range of motion
A healthy joint is a moving joint. This is because our cartilage gets its nutrients through joint fluid, which is only has contact with if we circulate that fluid through the joint through movement and weight bearing.
3. Promote bone and tendon healing
When there is an injury to a tendon or bone, the body will attempt to heal that tendon or bone based on the forces that it senses nearby. This means that if your pet has a fracture that has stabilized with an implant, we need controlled physiotherapy to tell that bone what type of forces it can expect to encourage faster healing, without overloading their implant.
The following are exercises and activities that will be incorporated into your pet’s recovery over the next 10-12 weeks. Please follow the “week-by-week” plan to determine when it is appropriate to begin each activity:
1. Controlled, slow, leash walks on a flat non-slip surface
This will be the mainstay of your pets at home physiotherapy program and is the most efficient way to achieve the above goals.
What it is: These walks are on a short (3-6 foot) leash, with your pet by your side. Performed 3-5 times daily for the time duration directed by your weekly guide.
What it isn’t: This is not a group walk on an extendable leash, or off leash in the backyard.
When it can begin: Immediately
2. Sit-to-stand exercises
This will improve your pet’s joint range of motion and muscular strength.
What it is: This is a “dog-squat” – Your pet should sit and stand for 10-15 repetitions, three times daily. They tend to use their non-surgery leg to do most the work, so it’s helpful to perform this exercise with their surgery leg next to a wall to get them to use it more.
What it isn’t: Jumping up and down for food or treats
When it can begin: One week after surgery
3. Opposite leg lift exercises
When performed daily, this exercise will help your pet build confidence bearing weight on their surgery limb.
What it is: With your pet standing on a flat, non-slip surface, gently lift the opposite limb off the ground (for ~5 seconds) to encourage them to bear weight on their surgery leg. This should be performed for 10-15 repetitions, three times daily.
What it isn’t: Making your pet walk, jump or side step because they feel off-balance.
When it can begin: One week after surgery
4. Swimming exercises
Water therapy and swimming is excellent physiotherapy for your pet to maintain muscle mass and joint range of motion
What it is: Controlled and assisted entry in and out of the water, with 5-10 minutes of walking in shallow water or “doggy-paddling” in shallow water. This may be performed once or twice daily and it is encouraged to have this exercise supervised by a certified veterinary physiotherapist.
What it isn’t: Running, jumping, slipping on wet surfaces or any rough play
When it can begin: Four weeks after surgery if under supervision of certified veterinary physiotherapist. If not being performed under direct supervision of certified veterinary physiotherapist, then this should only be performed after discussion with your veterinarian.
5. Tug-of-war exercises
This is an exercise that will be performed after your pets eight-week checkup to improve their strength and agility
What it is: Use a toy that has elastic or bungee like stretch to it and play tug-of-war for 5 minutes two to three times daily
What it isn’t: Pulling, shaking or using any type of motion that causes a “jolting” impact that could injure your pet’s neck.
When it can begin: Eight weeks after surgery
6. Resistance training in sand or snow
Similar to water therapy, resistance training in sand or snow can be a great way to improve your pets muscle mass and joint range of motion
What it is: Slow and controlled walks on a leash for 10-15 minutes once or twice daily on flat beach sand or medium depth snow (half way up to your pet’s leg)
What it isn’t: Off-leash activity at the beach or in the snow-covered yard
When it can begin: Eight weeks after surgery
7. Going on abnormal terrain and hiking
Once your pet is comfortable going for full length leash walks, then introducing walks on non-flat surfaces will help build their supporting and stabilizing muscles.
What it is: Gradually introduce leash walking on a non-flat surface first by going up and down a shallow grade hill for 5-10 minutes. Hiking on a well-groomed hiking trail may begin once your pet may walk up and down their shallow grade hill for 15-20 minutes without stiffness the following day
What it isn’t: Running or hiking off the leash or on a un-managed/groomed trail
When it can begin: Eight weeks after surgery and after they are comfortable going for unlimited duration leash walk on flat surfaces