Physical Therapy

MASSAGE:

Massage is particularly helpful for animals who are unable to move well, or animals who have spasms, hunches or curves from their spinal injuries. Massage helps relax the muscles and maintain flexibility and motion in the joints. Start at the toes and gently massage all of the muscles and joints in the limbs. Work your way up to the back, gently massaging along either side of the spine.  

PASSIVE RANGE OF MOTION:

Passive range of motion exercises help keep your pets joints comfortable and flexible while they are unable to move. If your pet can walk, even with assistance, passive range of motion isn’t necessary.

To perform range of motion exercises, start with a gentle massage. Rub your pets leg from the tip of their toes to the top of the leg. Then starting with the toes gently flex and extend each joint in the leg 10 times. You want to take the joint to the normal comfortable extent of where it can go. Think of it as a gentle stretch. After you have done all the joints­ toes, ankles, knee and hip in the back and toes, wrist, elbow and shoulder in the front, take each leg in a gentle bicycling motion for 10 repetitions. Repeat for each leg.

SLING WALKS:

The exercise is appropriate for most patients, even those who cannot walk. We want to encourage them to try to walk, and it’s good for everyone to get a bit of fresh air. Use a sling, towel or bed sheet just in front of your pets back legs (on the belly) to help support their weight. When you are helping them up, first help them get their legs under them, and ask them to help you stand up by saying something like “Come on, let’s go!”. Be careful of your own back, and make sure you are lifting with your legs. Help them to stand and then take them on a short walk. With smaller pets, one person can hold the leash in one hand and the sling in the other. Larger pets may take two or even three people to walk. 

When sling walking, it’s important to let your pet’s feet touch the ground. After all, we are doing this so they can practice walking. Don’t let them drag from extended periods on concrete, as this can lead to wounds. 

SUPPORTED STANDING:

This exercise is great for patients who cannot quite stand up on their own, or can only stand for a short period of time. Help your dog into a standing position. Make sure their legs and feet are placed normally beneath them. Give them just enough support to maintain the position. We want them to take as much of their own weight as they can. Some dogs will need support under their belly with a sling, some will just need balance support. Balance support can be provided by lightly supporting them by placing a hand on the outside of either leg.  Help them stand in this position for as long as they can before sinking to the ground. Then help them up, and repeat 10 times or until they seem tired. 

THREE LEG STAND:

This is a good progression from supported standing. In this exercise, we ask our pet to stand, then we pick up one leg. Have them stand on three legs for 10 seconds, then release the leg. Pick up another leg, hold for ten seconds, and then release. Repeat on all four legs. By picking up their leg we shift weight and balance on the other three legs, building strength and coordination.

THREE LEG STAND & SWAY:

Once your pet is reliably able to stand on three legs, we can increase the difficulty level. Help your dog into a standing position. Lift up one foot, so your pet is balanced on the other three feet. Gently sway them back in forth. This helps them work on strength in balance. After 10 sways, switch to holding up a different foot. Repeat on all four feet.

SIT TO STANDS:

This is exercise used to build back leg strength once a dog is able to walk on it’s own. Using treats, ask your pet to sit. Make sure they “sit pretty” meaning their legs are tucked under their body in a normal seated posture. Then, using a cookie, as them to stand up and walk a step forward. Think of this like asking your pet to do squats. Repeat this exercise up to 10 times, or until your pet gets tired.

COOKIE CRUNCHES: 

Some dogs who have spinal damage on just one side of their spine will curve away from the weak side. If your dog has an abnormal curvature, this exercise can help return flexibility and strength to the spine. With your dog laying in the sphinx position or seated, use a high-value treat to have them reach to one side. Have them bring their nose as close to their sides as they can. Repeat this 10 times to each side. 

BACK EXTENSION:

This exercise can be helpful if your dog has a hunch in their back. Remember, sometimes this hunch if from pain, and we don’t want to stretch through that. You could hurt your dog if you do this one too early, so it’s best to wait until you get the all clear from the medical team before you proceed. Once you get the go ahead: Cradle your dog in your arms, with their back resting along your stomach and chest (like giving a hug from behind). Place of your right hand on their chest, in between their front legs, to support them. Place your left-hand low on their belly. Slowly and gently, arch your own back while gently pressing down with your left hand. Remember- do this slowly and gently! It should not hurt! Relax, and then repeat this motion 10 times. 

WALKING OVER UNEVEN SURFACES:

This exercise can be helpful with pets who have good strength, but have trouble with coordination. If you have access to tall grass, ivy or beach sand- having your pet walk on this surface can help improve balance and coordination. If you don’t have a lot of outdoor space, you can bunch up a thick blanket or comforter and have them walk over that. Have them walk back and forth for up to 10 minutes. Remember we want them to get a good work out, but not be exhausted. If they seem to be too tired, stop the exercise.