When our dog gets into accidents resulting to mobility problems
, signing them up for animal therapy may be a good idea. Like humans, animals can also become re-habituated through a few therapy sessions. In the recent years, more and more animal therapists are becoming available in animal clinics and hospitals. Pet owners can now set up therapy session to help their pets walk and run again.
There are hundreds of types of physical therapy; some methods are used both in humans and animals. Below are a few common types of physical therapy used on dogs and other animals.
Treadmill
A common way to help humans and animals get use to walking again, treadmills are easy to use and are found almost everywhere. The therapist can easily adjust the speed and level of the treadmill to match the dogs pace. A downside of using a treadmill is that it can hurt their joints. DM in dogs may cause them to drag their paws, making it more difficult for them to walk even in short distances. Some dogs also have a difficult time walking on the ramp so its important that a handler or the therapist holds on to the dogs leash at all times.
Underwater treadmill
These treadmills are laid flat inside a pool with shallow water. This aims to help reduce the stress taken in by the paws when they step down and also makes it a bit more challenging for the dog to walk. The water help supports the dog as they walk on the treadmill. These devices are difficult to come by and are usually only available in big animal hospitals. If the device is not used properly, it can also become a threat since it uses both water and electricity together or the dog could drown on the machine if not guided and watched over.
Hydro therapy
This obviously needs one of those big pools where the dog is placed in to swim. Both front and back legs are exercised by the dog and hydro therapy has been proven to help a number of illnesses and disabilities. Dogs that have to go through hydrotherapy still have to have some kind of control over their limbs or are still strong enough to stand on their own since later cases of joint and nerve problems like DM in dogs and Arthritis, could actually find it difficult to cope.