Different Types of Dog Rehab Equipment

When a dog gets injured, there is an array of exercise equipment used by canine fitness professionals to help the dog get back into shape.

It is important to use the correct equipment for the patient. This will help to ensure their recovery and improve their quality of life.

Cost

The number of pets in the world has increased significantly, as has their needs for rehabilitation. This is especially true for working dogs, or those in canine sports. They are involved in a wide variety of activities, from hunting and gathering livestock to patrolling with soldiers and searching for explosives or missing people.

The rehab equipment industry has also grown. The thousands of different products available on today’s market can make it difficult for pet owners to determine what is best for their specific circumstances and needs.

For this reason, many veterinary professionals help clients with their rehab product decisions. These veterinarians have a deep understanding of canine anatomy and physiology, and know which devices are most appropriate for each condition. They also know how to help patients understand their options, and can prevent overspending or inappropriate product choices.

If you’re just starting out, it’s a good idea to start with the basic pieces of equipment that can be used for a large range of patients. These include a balance pad, a large balance disk and a peanut ball.

You may also want to consider some additional pieces of equipment, such as Cavaletti rails. These are useful for helping patients maintain proper posture during exercise, and for reducing the risk of injury due to over-extension.

The best way to make an informed product purchase is to ask questions and discuss your practice’s unique needs. By doing so, you can provide the right equipment for your client’s needs, and avoid overstocking or a cluttered inventory. Taking the time to understand your practice’s population will allow you to help pet owners choose the correct products for their needs, and will save your practice money and time in the long run.

Types

There are many different types of dog rehab equipment available, and each one can be beneficial to a specific type of patient. For example, an ambulatory aid can be useful for dogs recovering from surgery or with arthritis. This device may help them to get up and down from the floor or on walks, which can reduce pain and improve their mobility.

Proprioceptive mats are another popular piece of exercise equipment that can be used to strengthen a dog’s muscles, ligaments, and joints. These specialized mats can be shaped into a variety of different sizes and shapes to meet the needs of each patient. They are also portable and can be paired with other pieces of equipment to add a higher degree of difficulty.

A k-9 kore disk is another basic piece of fitness equipment that has become increasingly popular among canine professionals. It offers a textured surface to improve balance and proprioception, while strengthening core strength and digital and foot muscle groups.

Veterinary physiotherapists and canine massage therapists are frequently the users of this equipment, while acupuncturists are beginning to incorporate it into their practice. It’s a useful tool for diagnosing weak or imbalanced muscles and can be used as part of post-surgical recovery or rehabilitation therapy, or for general wellness programs.

The right exercise equipment can be an essential part of a pet’s rehabilitation and recovery program, and the right supplier can help you find the best products to meet your needs. It can also save you money by providing the highest quality products that are designed specifically for dog rehab. Choosing the right type of equipment is the best way to ensure your pet gets the most out of their rehabilitation.

Treatments

When dogs go under the care of a rehabilitation professional, their PT will create a dog rehab equipment customized plan of treatment that includes therapeutic exercises, massage therapy, and pain-relief modalities. A good PT will also teach your dog the best exercises to do at home, so she can continue her recovery.

For example, if she’s recovering from a cruciate ligament tear, the PT will recommend exercises to improve her range of motion and flexibility. She may also incorporate manual therapy into her plans, using techniques such as chiropractic or passive range of motion to reduce joint pain and increase mobility.

Another type of treatment that is often used by rehab practitioners is shockwave therapy, which uses sound waves to stimulate deep-tissue healing. It is effective in treating a number of conditions, including arthritic joints, soft tissue injuries, and joint restrictions.

However, it can be painful for the animal, so some veterinarians require patients to be sedated or anesthetized before they can receive this treatment. Other equipment, such as the PainTrace, detects anxiety and pain signals in the skin, allowing veterinarians to treat pets without having to use shockwave treatment.

Hydrotherapy is a common type of physical therapy for dogs that involve exercises in the water, allowing them to work their muscles without straining their joints. It’s also beneficial for dogs with chronic pain because the warm water improves circulation and reduces inflammation.

Gait training is another popular form of rehabilitation for dogs with hip dysplasia or other problems that affect walking. It involves short, controlled leash walks, and can be used to build muscle mass and endurance.

A third type of treatment is massage, which improves range of motion and alleviates pain in a variety of joints. It can be helpful for sprains and other injuries, as well as arthritis, by improving circulation and helping with relaxation.

Another form of treatment is laser therapy, which utilizes deep-penetrating light to reduce pain and stimulate healing. This can be helpful for a number of conditions, but it requires specialized equipment and usually involves a series of sessions.

At-Home Care

The right rehab equipment can help improve your dog’s mobility and quality of life. It can also be used to supplement your dog’s veterinary care, which is necessary for more extensive rehabilitation.

Physical therapy is an effective way to alleviate a wide range of mobility issues in dogs, from arthritis and back pain to hip dysplasia. These treatments can reduce inflammation, increase muscle strength and improve overall joint health.

In many cases, these therapies can be done at home after your pet’s recovery has been established. Your vet may refer you to a professional in your area who can help you implement a customized rehabilitation program that includes massage, manual therapies and therapeutic stretching.

Your veterinary surgeon or a physical therapist can teach you exercises, stretches and techniques that you can use at home to further enhance your pet’s healing process and recovery. The exercises can include simple, passive movement and a few more precise movements that involve manipulating an injured or surgical site while your pet is at rest.

There are many products on the market for rehab therapy that you can purchase at your dog rehab equipment local pet supply store or online. But it’s important to shop wisely so that you don’t buy equipment that’s inappropriate for your patients’ needs or is unsafe to use.

One of the most versatile pieces of dog rehab equipment is an inflatable balance disc. These are easy to inflate and use for challenging balance, strengthening muscles, and improving dynamic stability and coordination. They’re made of durable, anti-burst material and come with a pump to inflate them quickly and easily.

Another option is a portable laser that delivers infrared light to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. This therapy is quiet, non-invasive and safe to perform at home, making it an ideal complement to a rehabilitative approach.

You can also consider getting a specialized dog bed, which will support your pet’s joints and reduce stress on their back. These beds are especially recommended for older pets with joint problems.

The key is to choose a mattress that’s soft and comfortable for your dog, but also supportive enough to keep them from sinking into the bed or laying flat on their back. This can lead to pain, stiffness and discomfort, which is why you should always check with your veterinarian before buying a bed for your pet.