Rehabilitation

 When a dog suffers an injury or is recovering from surgery, the healing process can be long and difficult. Rehabilitative therapies are an essential part of recovery, and numerous veterinary studies have cited their many benefits, including:

  •  Improved function of affected limbs
  • More complete healing
  • Decreased pain
  • Increased muscle tone and endurance
  • Increased range of motion in affected limbs
  • Shorter recovery time
  • Great stimulation for dogs that are otherwise under very strict exercise restriction
Our rehabilitation programs include a combination of therapies to maximize recover. Below is a brief description of a few of these treatment options!

 

Underwater Treadmill Therapy

Water therapy is beneficial because it is a low-impact, high-resistance exercise. The buoyancy in the treadmill displaces about 60% of your dog's body weight, reducing stress on joints, minimizing pain and allowing for an extended range of motion. The gentle pressure applied by the water can assist in lowering swelling and stabilizing weak joints. The water in the treadmill is warm - between 85 and 95 degrees - so it relaxes muscles and improves circulation. Because of the resistance created by the water, muscle mass increases very quickly when the treadmill is used regularly!

 

Massage Therapy

Massage is a great way to decrease the inflammation and pain associated with injuries. For more information on massage therapy, click here!

 

Vestibular Board Conditioning

Dancing Paws uses a specialized balance board called a vestibular board to increase the lateral and medial (side-to-side) support provided by your dog's joints. This improves not only their balance, but can encourage dogs to use affected limbs. The board is large and carpeted, and with the assistance of a trained staff member, your dog is placed on the board for a few minutes at a time when deemed appropriate in the rehabilitation process.

 

Weave Poles

Traditionally agility equipment, weave poles can improve body awareness and foot placement in dogs with deficits. These simple exercises encourage your dog to lift and bend each leg with low, simple obstacles. In conjunction with other therapies, this can greatly shorten healing time and improve end result.

 

Pulsed Signal Therapy

Dancing Paws is the only clinic in Ohio offering this innovative therapy! For more information, please click here.

 

Therapeutic Ultrasound Treatments

Ultrasound therapy is a low intensity technique that uses high frequency sound waves to speed healing in injured joints, muscles and connective tissues. The waves have a heating effect, which promotes healing and reduces chronic inflammation. The treatment is applied via a headed wand; ultrasound gel is applied to the skin to reduce friction and aid in the transmission of the ultrasonic waves. The treatment typically lasts between ten and fifteen minutes, and is usually done before water therapy.