Tips for Moving With Pets: Ideas for Pet Owners

Physiotherapy for Dogs: Make Your Pooch Feel Like a Puppy Again

31 December 2015 by Lily Berger

Anyone who has ever suffered from a hip injury will know how painful and inconvenient it can be. Physiotherapy can be a great aid when it comes to the recovery process and can help you get back on your feet. But what about those members of the family who happen to have four feet? Hip dysplasia is a common ailment in many dog breeds, and of course you don't want your poor pooch to suffer. Hip dysplasia can occur at any age but is often a sign of aging. Your dog might have trouble getting up after they've been laying down, or they might experience discomfort during exercise. Surgical intervention is an option in some cases, but it's not always possible. Your vet might advise against surgery when the dog is over a certain age, or when the condition is not severe enough to warrant it. Regular physiotherapy for your dog can be a viable way to manage the condition when surgery is not the best course of action.

What Is Hip Dysplasia?

Hip dysplasia is diagnosed when the hip joint becomes sufficiently deformed so that the ball of the femur (thighbone) cannot properly fit into the hip socket. This deformity can affect one or both of your dog's hips. This misalignment causes scar tissue to develop over time, which is why hip dysplasia is more evident in older dogs. The severity of the condition can vary significantly from dog to dog, and can range from mild discomfort to severe mobility issues. Physiotherapy for canine hip dysplasia is more effective the sooner you begin, and it can even prevent the scar tissue from developing further.

What Will a Dog Physiotherapist Do?

A dog physiotherapist will gently manipulate your dog's legs, using a range of motions intended to increase the strength and flexibility of the limb. This can be coupled with a hot or cold pack applied to the hip to reduce discomfort after the procedure. The types of motions used and the duration of the session will depend on your dog's breed and level of hip dysplasia. It's all about counteracting the pain and mobility issues that can be a result of untreated hip dysplasia, allowing your dog to have a comfortable and happy life.

How Can You Find a Dog Physiotherapist?

Dog physiotherapists are not all that common, but there a number of qualified professionals who will offer the service. A small number of clinics that offer veterinary services will offer physiotherapy treatments.  If this is not the case at your local vet clinic, you can ask your vet for a referral, and your vet will also be able to advise you about how often to take your dog to the physiotherapist. It might take a few sessions to see results, but they will come. Your dog will need to see the physiotherapist on a regular basis, but you can reduce the frequency of the sessions once the symptoms of your dog's hip dysplasia begin to improve.

Hip problems can greatly reduce your dog's quality of life. Luckily, the gentle touch of a qualified dog physiotherapist can make your dog feel like a puppy again.

Check out a veterinary service like Belmont Avenue Veterinary Hospital for more information.

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