Human athletes have a team of health professionals who support them before and after an injury. Could dogs benefit from a similar team of experts? Absolutely! Like any human, dogs are susceptible to injuries of joints, bones, tendons and muscles. Strains, sprains, and fractures are very painful, and with the right therapeutic exercises and physical modalities, a dog can quickly return to his normal activities with comfort.
In April of 2010, a new college called the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation was approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). It encompasses and integrates a variety of fields throughout the international veterinary community including surgery, internal medicine and rehabilitation. Animal rehabilitation is becoming a standard of care in the treatment of a variety of conditions including osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, spinal cord injuries, pre and post-operative surgeries, muscle strains, ligament sprains, obesity and conditioning in athletes.
As you sit there reading this blog, I can imagine that more than 75% of you would think that your dog is not an athlete. Even so, there are millions of dogs that perform various activities that can be considered strenuous making them susceptible to injury. Chasing a ball, catching frisbees, hiking, or running after a rabbit. That sudden burst of energy turns into a yelp which turns into a 3-legged gait. Besides pain medication and rest, what other options are available to help your canine?
Stretches, massage, joint mobilizations, laser, electrical stimulation and hydrotherapy are just a few therapies that are being taught at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. In 2016, I will become a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT). With my advanced training, I will be able to perform in-depth examinations, order applicable diagnostic testing, and prescribe appropriate therapies to address the many different problems that our canines face. If you would like to schedule a diagnostics consult now, please call our office at 702-258-0006 and stay tuned as it should be an exciting start to the New Year!