Exercise Rehabilitation

Canine exercise rehabilitation is a growing field in veterinary medicine and a great way to make a positive impact on the quality of your dog’s life. Exercise rehabilitation can be used in many instances, including patients recovering from orthopedic surgery, attempting to prevent the need for some surgeries, and to help with mobility in our older pets with arthritis. Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic is excited to provide this service to our valued clients and patients!

Our certified staff can tailor a specific exercise rehabilitation program to help your canine friend recover from surgery or injury while also managing pain. Our exercise rehabilitation room is designed to offer many modalities and treatments while keeping our patients comfortable and safe. Our team offers services such as therapeutic laser treatments, ultrasound, neuro-muscular electrical nerve stimulation therapy, TENS therapy (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), underwater treadmill, balance and strengthening exercises and massage.

It is very important that orthopedic surgery patients maintain range of motion of the affected limb to prevent any loss of function later in life. This also makes returning to normal use faster and less painful. Additionally, weekly rehabilitation visits enable our team to monitor healing and make sure that each patient is progressing as they should, as well as identify any issues while they are still minor and easy to resolve. Sometimes dogs with minor orthopedic conditions, such as mild cases of patellar luxation (where the kneecap slides), benefit from simple muscle building and strengthening exercises that can prevent the need for surgery in the future.

Older pets who are starting to have difficulty getting around may be experiencing arthritis. Examination by a veterinarian may lead to the prescription of an appropriate joint medication and/or supplement. While proper medication can help with inflammation, it is also helpful to keep them active. The saying “if you don’t use it, you lose it” is very true for muscles in older pets. Exercise rehabilitation offers options to keep older pets active with minimal strain on their joints, such as through the use of an underwater treadmill. There are also many exercises owners can be taught to perform at home with their pet if they have trouble transporting them to the veterinary clinic.

If you notice your dog hasn’t been getting around like he or she used to or seems to be experiencing discomfort, a few sessions of exercise rehabilitation might be just what the doctor ordered! Contact the Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic team today to find out how we can help your four-legged family member live a more comfortable life!