If your dog has undergone surgery or incurred a shoulder injury there is a very good chance that your veterinarian will recommend a rehabilitative therapy routine. It can be beneficial to know what is facing you and your pup on the long road to recovery.
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Location
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Rehabilitative therapy for minor shoulder injuries may be carried out at home under the direction of a licensed veterinarian. If this is the case, you will be shown what to do and how to do it by the doctor. More serious rehabilitation is performed in the veterinarian's office by a licensed practitioner.
Types
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Rehabilitative therapy works to strengthen muscles and build muscle tone, reduce inflammation associated with injury and lack of use and ensure proper circulation to the limb during recovery.
Effects
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The end effects of rehabilitative therapy depend largely upon the severity of the initial shoulder injury. More severe the injury, the smaller chance the dog will have of fully recovering.
Benefits
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Rehabilitation can alleviate pain and stiffness of the leg due to inactivity. It can also provide psychological benefits, particularly if your dog is normally very active but has been reduced to rest because of injury.
Warning
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If you observe signs of pain or an increasing inability in your dog to walk or move during therapeutic treatments, speak to your veterinarian immediately. The exercises or approach may need to be altered.
Example Exercises
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Basic exercises that may be performed during a rehabilitative period include flexing and gentle rotation of the limb. Prescribed workout routines and periods of walking are not uncommon. More progressive therapeutic routines can contain electrical stimulation of the muscles.
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