Arthritis
Dog Arthritis and Rehabilitation
You may notice your dog is having more trouble with stairs, or getting up on the couch. Their joints can ache, which makes them not want to move as much, but we need to maintain some controlled, low impact movement in their day to keep them comfortable. This is where rehabilitation can help.
A long term solution to improving stiffness is a tailored, home exercise program to keep your senior dog happy and healthy. This can also involve acupuncture, chiropractic, pain medication, and other modalities/supplements as pain is best controlled with multiple modalities. We emphasize teaching pet parents the tools they need to learn to maintain their dogs' health as they age into their golden years.
CCL/ACL Tear
CCL tears are the most common cause of hindlimb lameness in dogs. Unlike humans who get this from trauma, CCL tears in our pets is a chronic, degenerative change resulting in partial or complete rupture. Clinical symptoms associated with a CCL tear are swelling of the knee, limping, reduced movement, a cracking noise in the knee, reluctance to exercise, weight shifting off of the affected knee, sitting with the hindlimbs extended. A combination of physical exam, special tests, and x-rays are usually done by your primary vet to develop a proper treatment plan.
Without proper care of CCL ruptures, it can lead to progressive arthritis, meniscus tear, and compensatory changes like muscle wasting, shifting off the affected limb, etc. There are several factors that come into play when deciding on how to treat your dog. Their age, energy level, weight/breed size, full or partial tear, and other knee integrity are all important factors. In dogs that are very active, young, and larger breeds, surgery is usually the best option. Whether surgery is indicated or not, rehabilitation is a great way to help lessen further injury, maintain mobility, and decrease pain in the long term.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a condition of the hip joint. The head of the femur, the “ball”, doesn’t fit into the acetabulum, the “socket”, properly. The ligaments surrounding this joint aren’t strong enough to support the joint efficiently. Over time, abnormal movement within the hip joint can cause loss of cartilage, formation of bone spurs, pain, loss of mobility, and overall discomfort. Generally, hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition that affects large dog breeds. However, a sedentary lifestyle and excess weight can exacerbate the condition.
Symptoms of hip dysplasia often show up as mild at first, but can progressively get worse. Typically, symptoms don’t show up until middle age or later. Here are some things to look out for if you think your dog might have hip dysplasia:
Stiffness in hips when going from laying down to standing up or running/walking
Lameness (limping) on hind legs
Loss of muscle tone in hind legs
Running with a ‘bunny hop” gait
Your veterinarian is able to diagnose hip dysplasia based on specific palpation methods and specifically positioned hip x-rays.
Whether hip dysplasia is best treated conservatively or with surgery depends on the severity as well as the dog’s age. Regardless of which treatment method you choose, a certified canine rehabilitation therapist can make a meaningful difference in recovery.
A certified canine rehab therapist can evaluate your dog’s strength, flexibility, gait pattern, and daily functions to develop a treatment plan that will get your dog moving with more ease. They will utilize manual therapy techniques to ease pain and a customized therapeutic exercise program to help build stability in the joints and make functional movements easier and less painful.
Surgery may be warranted in some cases to provide the best outcome for your dog. The most common surgery is called Femoral Head Ostectomy, or FHO. Before opting for surgery, it is important to be aware of all the alternatives available that may help manage the condition more conservatively. A healthy diet and weight, joint supplements, daily exercise, and pain medication when necessary can do wonders for managing this common condition. A certified canine rehab therapist can offer much in the way of improving your dogs quality of life through education, manual therapy, and exercises specific to your dogs condition.
There are 2 approaches to treatment for IVDD: surgery or conservative management. To make the best decision for your pet's recovery, be sure to consult with both a certified canine rehabilitation therapist and your regular veterinarian. A neurological consult with a veterinarian who is board certified in neurology might also be warranted.
Surgery will help relieve compression at the nerve roots and/or spinal cord. After surgery, the dog is often confined in a crate and take medication to help with the discomfort, swelling, and to avoid re-injury. Conservative management will combine active rest, medication, and rehabilitation.
Successful IVDD rehab plans include Neurodevelopmental Sequence techniques, or exercises to teach your pup how to effectively use their body again. A certified canine rehab therapist will introduce controlled activity into your pups daily routine and increase their functional mobility safely every step of the way.
IVDD/Back Pain
IVDD (intervertebral disc disease) is a degenerative disease that affects the intervertebral discs, which are found between the bones of the spine. These discs are like cushions for the spine that act as shock absorbers and allow for mobility. IVDD occurs when the discs are weakened and more capable of rupturing or herniation. IVDD can be treated conservatively or with surgical intervention. Treatment will be determined by the severity of the symptoms your pup is experiencing. Rehabilitation can help improve the pain and decreased mobility whether surgery is warranted or not!
Dogs with IVDD typically experience one or more of the following signs/symptoms:
Back or Neck Pain
Hunched Posture
Sensitivity to Touch
Hind Limb Weakness
Unsteadiness
Anxious Behavior
Inability To Stand
Inability to Move/Feel Hind Legs
Impaired Bowels &/or Bladder Control