Veterinary medicine and the treatment choices for animals, like human medicine, are constantly evolving. Physiotherapy for animals is also becoming more essential. Physiotherapy, sometimes known as canine physiotherapy, can be incredibly beneficial to dogs, especially when it comes to healing and rehabilitation following surgery. However, even after significant illnesses or injuries that impair the four-legged friend's joints, muscles, or movement, the quality of life of dogs can be improved with appropriate physiotherapy activities.
Veterinary medicine and the treatment choices for animals, like human medicine, are constantly evolving. Physiotherapy for animals is also becoming more essential. Physiotherapy, sometimes known as canine physiotherapy, can be incredibly beneficial to dogs, especially when it comes to healing and rehabilitation following surgery. Dogs' quality of life can be enhanced with suitable exercises during physiotherapy, even after significant illnesses or injuries that restrict the joints, muscles, or movement of the four-legged buddy.
The prices of animal physiotherapy, on the other hand, can be rather expensive, so finding the proper treatment for your dog can be quite costly. Dog owners who do not have adequate insurance for their pets must frequently delve deep into their finances - after all, they just want the best for their four-legged companion. You may insure your four-legged pet with Helvetia dog health insurance to relieve the financial strain. We pay the costs of physiotherapy for the dog following an operation up to a maximum of 200 euros (compact) or 400 euros (comfort) in the compact or comfort tariffs (comfort).
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In our guide, you'll learn whether dog physiotherapy is appropriate, how much therapy will cost the dog owner, and what the treatment will include.
Physiotherapy can significantly improve a dog's quality of life. In our article, we explain when physiotherapy may be beneficial to your dog. Important information concerning your dog's health insurance and the assumption of physiotherapy charges can also be found on our product page.
› How does physiotherapy for dogs work? Active canine physiotherapy types » Passive canine physiotherapy comes in a variety of forms.
› When is physiotherapy for your dog a good idea?
› How does physiotherapy for dogs work?
« How much does canine physiotherapy cost?
« Physiotherapy for Dogs: Frequently Asked Questions about Costs and Treatment » Is physiotherapy appropriate for dogs suffering from osteoarthritis? What are the dangers of dog physical therapy? » How often should your dog visit a physiotherapist?
The animal patient is actively involved in what is going on in active therapy. The dog does numerous exercises – typically in a joyful manner – and is rewarded with treats or toys in this type of physiotherapy.
The dog is treated without becoming active in passive physiotherapy. Massages or heat treatments in which the dog just lies on the treatment table or on a pad on the floor are examples of this type of therapy.
Active canine physiotherapy comes in a variety of forms.
Active physiotherapy for dogs aims to increase mobility and coordination while also strengthening the muscles of the four-legged pet.
Exercise treatment, flexibility training, and coordination training are examples of active canine physical therapy.
The use of equipment such as a regular treadmill or an underwater treadmill is commonly used in movement therapy. The dog physiotherapist will devise a personalized treatment plan for your four-legged buddy, allowing the animal's condition and muscles to be rebuilt in a gentle and regulated manner. During physiotherapy, the underwater treadmill preserves the dog's joints while simultaneously improving blood circulation. An elevation can be set on a regular treadmill, allowing you to practice walking uphill and running.
Mobility and coordination training may be included in the animal's rehabilitation regimen. Poles are climbed over or crossed in several types of animal physiotherapy.
Passive canine physiotherapy comes in a variety of forms.
The above image depicts a dog receiving physiotherapy and about to be massaged.
Dog physiotherapy uses passive treatment methods to promote blood circulation and metabolism, loosen tissue, remove joint obstructions, and relieve discomfort in general.
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The following are examples of passive physiotherapy methods:
- therapy with ice
- treatment with heat
- massage
- Theraputic manual therapy
- therapy for stretching
- electrotherapy
- magnetotherapy
- laser treatment
The use of cold treatment units ensures that the tissue contracts. As a result, blood circulation is slowed during the cold therapy, which can help the animal feel better.
Heat treatments can also help to alleviate your dog's pain. Heat, whether in the form of red light or grain pillows, increases blood circulation and relaxes the body. Heat treatment can be an excellent way to prepare for other types of treatment, thus it's common to see it in the therapy plan before other treatment units.
Massages are something that most people are familiar with. They have a calming impact and can help to reduce muscle tension. Brushes or hedgehog balls, in addition to the well-known hand massage, can be used for massage in
Stretching activities increase mobility while also reducing stress and soreness. You can also lower your chance of muscle, joint, and musculoskeletal system problems.
In dog physiotherapy, electro, magnetic field, and laser therapy are used to enhance the animal's natural healing processes, ease discomfort, and boost metabolic and neurological functions.
When is physiotherapy for your dog beneficial?
Dogs may lose movement or experience pain in the joints and muscles, particularly following musculoskeletal surgery. The recuperation process in dogs can be considerably improved with the use of physiotherapy or dog physiotherapy. It makes no difference what kind of injury you have. Whether it's a broken leg, a cruciate ligament rupture, or a herniated disc, animal physiotherapy can help the dog regain mobility following the healing phase.
Physiotherapy for dogs, on the other hand, can be beneficial not just after procedures, but also as a preventative strategy. Animal physiotherapy strengthens muscles and so protects the dog's bones and joints, preventing injuries or illnesses that, in the worst-case scenario, shorten the dog's life expectancy. Early preventive physiotherapy is very beneficial to large breeds. This offers the ideal environment for a dog's musculoskeletal system to function properly.
Physiotherapy for dogs makes sense in the following conditions in theory.
Arthrosis, arthritis, dysplasia, and herniated discs are all examples of joint issues.
Joint protection as a preventative measure
After surgery or overexertion, pain management is necessary.
Muscle development and maintenance
Increasing range of motion and mobility
In the case of tension, blood circulation is improved.
Older people's movement improves, and their breathing improves.
How does physiotherapy for dogs work?
Before beginning therapy, the physiotherapist or veterinarian must first obtain an overview of the animal's overall health. This happens at the initial consultation. The first meeting is usually held in your home or through video conference so that your four-legged companion feels at ease and undue stress is avoided. Prior to the first therapy, the canine physiotherapist will usually ask you a lot of questions regarding your dog's health and medical history. If your veterinarian does not provide physical therapy, it is critical that you have all of the essential records and test results on hand.
The duration and frequency of dog physiotherapy is determined by the animal's symptoms and clinical picture. After the initial consultation, the treatment usually lasts between five to ten weeks. The type of treatment and the specific therapy plan will vary widely depending on the dog's breed, size, age, and ailments. Whether you should undertake exercises with the dog at home during and after the physiotherapy session should be discussed with the dog physiotherapist individually. It is critical to remember that the dog should not be eaten two hours before to the treatment session.
How much does canine physical treatment cost?
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A dog stands next to an exercise ball and a heap of cash, symbolizing the cost of physical therapy.
Physiotherapy expenses for dogs are difficult to predict because they are highly dependent on the type of injury and treatment, as well as the number of treatment units. If a veterinarian does the dog physiotherapy, the cost is calculated according to the scale of fees for veterinarians (GOT), as is customary for veterinarians. The price of physiotherapy at the veterinarian is determined by the amount of time it takes. Fees for non-medical animal physiotherapy are not regulated in any way. The costs of a therapy unit, which typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes, are as follows:
The initial evaluation for dogs, which includes the initial treatment in physiotherapy, costs between 40 and 95 euros and takes 60 to 75 minutes.
It's best to phone your veterinarian or animal physiotherapist ahead of time to find out how much it will cost. Additional treatment expenses are determined by whether or if additional equipment, such as an underwater treadmill, is employed and how frequently the dog requires physiotherapy. Typically, therapy charges are determined every 15 minutes. The treatment is frequently performed at the animal's home to ensure that it is as stress-free as possible. As a result, many dog physiotherapists work on the road and charge a travel fee.
With Helvetia dog health insurance, you can save money on physical treatment for your four-legged buddy following a surgery. With the compact tariff, you can get up to 200 euros in reimbursement for dog physiotherapy after surgery for a monthly insurance cost of 44.90 euros. The cost reimbursement for physiotherapy for dogs increases to 400 euros with the comfort tariff (from 64.90 euros per month).
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