What Kind of Dog Rehab Equipment Is Best For Your Dog?

Your dog needs exercise to stay healthy. But what kind of exercise?

Exercise equipment can make it fun for both of you. These products can help your dog recover from surgery or injury and get back into shape.

Amputee Harness

A harness is a great way to help a dog get up from lying down, to walk when they can’t weight bear well or for support getting up stairs or in and out of the car. A sling type harness that wraps around the middle is good for dogs with early stage hind end weakness or paralysis. A full body harness, like the Walkin’ Lift-n-Step, can also provide stability for a dog that is having difficulty walking.

This front leg amputee harness has a unique feature that allows for the opposite shoulder shrug to operate the elbow lock, as opposed to the chest strap which usually operates the elbow control. This can prevent the elbow from locking or unlocking inadvertently during forearm flexion and terminal device operation.

This full body harness is great for dogs that need assistance getting up from lying down, walking and climbing stairs or being lifted in and out of the car. It is strong, easy to use and has a handle optimally positioned to assist you with lifting your dog.

Ear Support

Ear infections in dogs are not only painful, they can be a sign of other health problems. The best way to prevent recurrence of an ear infection is to address the underlying cause. Whether it is allergies, an autoimmune disease, or a tumor, treating the underlying issue can help reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

A veterinary physiotherapist will use various treatments, exercises, and modalities to aid in the recovery from a dog’s injury or condition. Manual therapy techniques such as massage, joint mobilization and stretching can improve range of motion and increase muscle strength. Exercise therapies may include walking on an underwater treadmill which provides progressive resistance and offloads weak or arthritic joints. Modalities such as therapeutic ultrasound, infrared laser and dry needling can be used to decrease pain and promote healing.

Providing pet owners with the right tools can help them to successfully replicate a rehabilitation therapy session at home. Whether it is to help with balance and proprioception, strengthen specific muscles or core, or to aid in the recovery from an injury or dog rehab equipment surgery, Clean Run carries a variety of equipment that can be used for dog rehabilitation.

Elbow Support

If your dog has an elbow problem, it is important to get them on treatment as soon as you notice any lameness. A veterinary orthopedic surgeon can help reduce the pain and damage that comes with an elbow injury or arthritis.

A custom-made elbow brace can also reduce the stress on the elbow joint, allowing the ligaments to heal properly. These braces are fitted to each dog’s leg and provide support, protection and range of motion. They can also be used to dog rehab equipment treat a variety of conditions, including decubital ulcers, pressure sores and pendulous calluses. The padding offers comfort and warmth, accelerating healing.

In the rehabilitative phase, you should aim to have your dog at full elbow ROM with minimal tenderness or inflammation and increased weight bearing on the surgical limb. A program of stretching and mobilization techniques may be introduced, depending on the dog’s tolerance of movement. Moist heat, warm whirlpool and ultrasound can be utilized in this phase to increase the extensibility of the capsular tissue. Exercises such as three-leg standing, rocking on all fours and dynamic stabilization exercises with rhythmic resistance and slow reversal manual resistance elbow/carpus flexion may be initiated.

Tarsus Support

The tarsal (dog ankle) joint is held together by four main ligaments that can be injured through over-stress or poor alignment. These injuries can cause a range of problems including tarsal plantigrade collapse, tarsal valgus or varus and neurologic presentations. The OrthoPets FLEXOR is a functional orthosis that stabilizes the tarsal joint without surgery.

This tarsal support system limits abduction of the hind limbs and improves range of motion, providing stability for the hock joint during rehab exercises. It also offers improved comfort over traditional bandage hobbles and is padded to prevent rub sores on bony prominences.

Dog owners seek assistance from veterinary professionals to make well-informed product decisions for their dogs based on fit and activity goals. This is especially true for small breeds, who are prone to injury due to their conformation. Using the recommended rehabilitation equipment for dogs allows them to recover from injury and participate in sports and activities with less risk of future performance-limiting injuries. This can help increase recovery time, decrease injury-risk factors and reduce the need for surgery.

Proprioceptive Mat

Proprioceptive deficits can develop from a variety of causes, such as spinal disease or injury. If your dog is showing signs of a proprioceptive deficit, it is essential to take him to a veterinarian for evaluation and treatment as soon as possible.

A proprioceptive mat is a tool that can help your dog improve his balance and sensory input. This is useful for dogs with a variety of conditions, including degenerative spine disease, back injuries, and pinched nerves.

Several different types of proprioceptive mats are available on the market, such as the Flexiness Sensimats by FitPAWS. These mats have three different heights of nubs that are rounded at the tops and form “valleys” for your dog’s feet. Trainers can use these mats by themselves or with other FitPAWS equipment such as the K9FIT bones, balance discs, and TRAX donuts.

Other helpful tools for improving proprioceptive deficits include the Paws-up and Four-Position Cookie Stretch and checking your dog’s paw pads, nails, and skin after training to identify any injury. Also, a cool down walk following training is important to maintain and increase tissue mobility, decreasing the risk of future muscle soreness.