Physical Therapy for Animals

~ Your professional resource for all things related to animal physical therapy ~

 
 
Neurological conditions and spinal injuries often treated with physical therapy:  
  • Disc disease (herniations) - traumatic, acute, and chronic disc injuries
  • Fibrocartilaginous emboli (FCE) 
  • Post-fractures
  • Wobbler's disease
  • Paralysis, paresis
  • Weakness/de-innervated muscles
  • Fibrosis of muscle
  • Degenerative myelopathy
  • Coonhound paralysis
  • Vestibular disease
  • Brain or spinal tumors
  • Brain damage
  • Surgical interventions that should be followed up with proper physical therapy include:  ventral slot, spinal stabilizations, dorsal laminectomy, hemilaminectomy, spinal fracture repairs

Orthopedic conditions and injuries commonly treated with physical therapy:

  • Arthritis 
  • Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia
  • Cruciate ligament tears
  • Patella luxations
  • Fragmented choronoid processes
  • OCD
  • Tendonitis, tenosynovitis, bursitis
  • Limitations in range of motion, contractures
  • Sprains, strains
  • Post-fractures
  • Most, if not all, orthopedic surgical interventions should be followed up with proper physical therapy.
Other conditions commonly treated with physical therapy:
  • Poor conditioning
  • Obesity
  • Abnormal gait, biomechanics or posture
  • Inflammation, swelling
  • Pain
  • Deconditioned pets due to various medical issues (e.g. prolonged hospitalization)

 

“Improving the lives of animals!“

 
Julie Stuart, MS, PT
Licensed Physical Therapist
Knoxville, TN
PT4animals@yahoo.com