What Is Veterinary Rehabilitation and How Can It Help Your Pet?
When a pet faces an injury, surgery, or a chronic condition, recovery isn’t always quick or straightforward. That’s where veterinary rehabilitation comes in. Pet rehab uses specialized therapies to help pets regain strength, mobility, and confidence, improving their quality of life and supporting long-term health.
What Does Pet Rehabilitation Include?
Pet rehabilitation is a tailored program designed for each animal’s specific needs. Common therapies include:
- Physical Therapy (Pet PT): Targeted exercises improve strength, flexibility, and balance. These exercises can help pets recover after surgery, injury, or neurological conditions.
- Hydrotherapy and Pet Water Treadmill: Water provides gentle resistance and buoyancy, making movement easier and reducing stress on joints. The water treadmill is especially effective for pets recovering from orthopedic surgery, arthritis, or spinal injuries.
- Pain Management and Comfort Techniques: Rehab often incorporates heat or cold therapy, massage, and other techniques to relieve discomfort and promote healing.
- Gait Analysis and Functional Training: Therapists observe how pets move to design exercises that restore proper posture, coordination, and strength.
Who Can Benefit From Veterinary Rehabilitation?
Pet rehab isn’t just for dogs recovering from surgery—it can help a wide range of pets:
- Dogs and cats recovering from orthopedic or neurological surgery
- Pets with arthritis, hip dysplasia, or chronic joint pain
- Pets recovering from spinal injuries or neurological conditions
- Senior pets needing strength, balance, or mobility support
The Benefits of Pet Rehabilitation
- Faster, safer recovery: Rehab encourages proper healing while preventing further injury.
- Improved mobility and strength: Pets regain confidence in walking, running, and playing.
- Pain relief and comfort: Rehab can reduce chronic pain and improve overall quality of life.
- Support for long-term health: Regular therapy may prevent future injuries or mobility issues.
Veterinary Rehabilitation at DoveLewis
At DoveLewis, our pet rehab program works alongside our emergency and specialty teams to provide integrated care for pets. Our rehabilitation team guides each family through the process, using tools like the pet water treadmill and individualized physical therapy plans to help pets recover safely and effectively.
Whether your pet is recovering from surgery, managing a chronic condition, or simply needing extra support, veterinary rehabilitation can make a meaningful difference. With pet rehab, we focus on restoring function, reducing discomfort, and helping your animal family member thrive.
