Vet School 101 I don’t wanna go to rehab? Pet rehabilitation medicine comes into its own

Ms. Winehouse is not alone. No one wants to go to rehab when they could be snoring blissfully between 400 thread count sheets, but even dogs and cats need a little butt-kicking rehabilitation every now and then––even if means dispensing with the comfort of your bed.

You’ve doubtless heard of the fancy underwater treadmills and cool techniques used to bring dogs back to life after stressful surgeries involving their bones, joints and muscles. In that case, you should also know about the rapid growth of this emerging speciality area––one that’s increasingly targeting cats, too.

But let me be honest: This post is primarily about dog rehab. That’s because they suffer more severe forms of musculoskeletal problems that tend to necessitate rehabilitation therapy. By psychological design, they’re also more amenable to exercise and manipulation. But that doesn’t mean cats can’t tap the veterinary rehabilitation industry every once in a while.

Yes, I said “industry.” That’s because the equipment and expertise involved in pet rehabilitation after injury or disease is sophisticated and effective––AKA, expensive.

Docs go back to school. Techs get treated to courses. The hospital buys $20,000-$50,000 of equipment, dedicates a sizable space, and––voilá––you get to spend $50-$150 per session getting your pet back up to speed after orthopedic surgery, for weight loss, to build muscle after debilitating injuries, non-surgical dysplasia or joint degeneration.

It may sound pricey, but after investing $10,000 for a total hip replacement, what’s an extra $1,500 to make sure she has the best chance at a full recovery afterwards?

So now’s when you call me crazy for thinking anyone has that kind of discretionary income. Nonetheless, I assure you they do. Otherwise, my boyfriend the vet surgeon wouldn’t have a job cutting pets all day long. Moreover, those with pet health insurance are finding that companies are increasingly willing to take rehabilitation services seriously as a reimbursable expense.

That’s because a lot of science has gone into pet rehabilitation. No, not so much as for humans, of course, but much more than you might expect. In fact, entire veterinary school programs are being built around this area of interest, like the one at North Carolina State University headed by veterinary surgeon, Dr. Denis Marcellin-Little.

Even veterinary behaviorists (like Dr. Lisa Radosta at Coral Springs Animal Medical Center in Florida) are taking it upon themselves to research ancillary aspects of rehab medicine as they apply to their own specialities. It’s just that credible and potentially indispensable as a field of study.

And why not?

Consider that if we’re collectively spending $1.6 billion a year in cruciate ligament surgeries (in the US alone), then when science shows cruciate surgery patients heal much better with rehab than without, the onus is on the veterinary profession to make this ancillary service available.

If we agree that obesity and aggression are two killer problems in pets and studies show that exercise may alleviate both to some degree, then the possibility of using rehabilitation medicine to arrive at part of the solution should be on our radar screen, too.

But how far are we willing to go? Will we all be spending our hard-earned bucks on this kind of therapy in the future? I promise you will, though not necessarily to the tune of the underwater treadmill. If the industry continues to progress at its current pace (despite the economy), there’s no doubt that all our pets will benefit once the technology trickles down to your friendly neighborhood generalist (like me).

May 22nd, 2009

Add Comment28 Comments

I love seeing this trend.

The point you raised about the relatively low cost of PT vs. the high cost of surgeries such as cruciates and hip replacements is excellent. It would make sense to make PT a routine part of surgical recovery and include it in surgical estimates.

Having experienced the amazing benefits of PT myself (I did not have surgery but had lost almost all range of motion in my shoulder due to frozen shoulder), I have a much better appreciation of what a critical role PT plays in recovering full function after injury or surgery. It is simply not realistic for us to expect that our pets can recover from injuries or surgeries of bone, muscle or joint.

Ingrid King May 22nd, 2009 02:26:32 PM

Oops - hit "submit" too fast. That was supposed to be "It is simply not realistic for us to expect that our pets can recover from injuries or surgeries of bone, muscle or joint without some sort of physical therapy".

Ingrid King May 22nd, 2009 02:27:25 PM

I won't go to physical rehab but I would drag my dogs to it. I feel so lucky that my Shiba WANTED to get up and move after ligament and knee surgery and that she seemed to have a good instinct for pushing herself just the right amount.

PJBoosinger May 22nd, 2009 02:29:58 PM

Doc the economy stinks no matter how you look at it. That's REALITY. Look at a typical American small business person who for example 1 year ago after being in business only 3 years was doing 1 million a year in sales and had 5 full time employee's. And this year 2009, they have only sold $20,ooo since January 2009. And this is selling to a higher-end market.

It's tough to convince people to part with their hard earned dollars in this scenario. I'm not suggesting we should succumb to poverty of the imagination though by any stretch.

Evet May 22nd, 2009 02:44:36 PM

My mother had an older dog that took a bit of a spill and whacked his hip pretty hard. The vet said that hydrotherapy could be worthwhile - my mom took the dog in for several sessions and it really made a positive difference in his quality of life. His hip healed well and he was stronger in the end and it was completely worth it.

As my Mom told a coworker, "PT works for people, why wouldn't I do it for my dog if it will make him feel better?"

Cindy May 22nd, 2009 02:58:40 PM

Thank you for the subject

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سض May 22nd, 2009 03:47:23 PM

We found swimming to be the best therapeutic exercise for Jerry after his oncologist identified a "partial ACL tear" in his rear leg. Its amazing how much one can save by finding a nice pond instead of a new hydrotherapy treatment center!

There is now a Tripawd Discussion Forum member who recently underwent FHO surgery on a remaining leg for Legg-Calve Perthes Disease, a fracture in the ball of the femur and a possible ligament problem in the knee. The vet was kind enough to provide tips for making a homemade therapy pool, which Chuy is using with a doggy life vest for buoyancy.

Yes, we'll go to exrtreme lengths, but it doesn't always have to be at extreme cost!

tripawds.com May 22nd, 2009 03:55:52 PM

Good point, Tripawds!--which is where I was going in the end. Swimming is the best!--especially with a life vest. I find that most dogs will tolerate this well. They may not LIKE it but they'll do it for treats once they're conditioned to accept it. My experience is simply that people don't want to try it. They'd rather "take him to sessions" than slog it out in their pool. Sad.

Dr. Patty Khuly May 22nd, 2009 06:31:32 PM

Caveat: It CAN make a difference to actually know what you're doing. For some conditions it's OK to ask a client to carry a dog into the pool. For others, there are cautions. Always ask your vet (and preferably, your orthopedist).

Dr. Patty Khuly May 22nd, 2009 06:32:59 PM

We were quoted rehab services after Pearl's IVDD surgery. It turned out not needed, but a friend in PA.'s Sealyham had the same surgery and definitely needed rehab, including water tank. Surprisingly, after the initial evaluation, the sessions were reasonable & successful. More importantly, she was given instruction what to do at home between sessions.

She would recommend it & I would too after hearing about her pleasant experience & success for the patient. Pearl-IVDD Pearl,nearly 9 yr. Sealyham Terrier, post IVDD surgery. Instructed to limit movement & provide secure footing for 6 weeks post-op

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Barbara A. Albright May 22nd, 2009 09:10:36 PM

Sorry doc, not all dogs can be enticed into a pool. My Shiba swims like a rock and is so terrified of pools (and she's never actually had a bad experience to justify it, but still) that she's got my Lab afraid of pools for the most part. A Lab afraid to swim. Now that's really sad.

PJBoosinger May 23rd, 2009 06:14:59 AM

PJB: My dogs are scared of the pool, too, but that doesn't mean that they won't relax enough to get in some exercise if I'm holding them and/or if they're wearing a life vest. It takes some training but they don't freak out anymore. But I promise you they'll never like it. A tub is my favorite way, though, if they're small enough to be able to stand with the water at shoulder level.

Dr. Patty Khuly May 24th, 2009 09:28:30 AM

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A <a href="http://www.puppypfd.com">dog life jacket</a> is also really helpful for dogs who are swimming for rehabilitation.

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shark1200 July 1st, 2009 11:56:21 AM

One of my dogs has had 3 knee surgeries - 2 ACL (had TTA on both) & 1 mensicus with no initial rehab even tho I asked both surgeon & reg vet about it, they said, no, she'll be fine. She was after first one, then went downhill steadily after the nex two surgeries to the point where she had no muscles whatsoever in her rear legs. Finally got referral to vet rehab, and she went 3 days a week for about 6-8 weeks, and wow, she's a new dog! But I almost had to insist & push to get the rehab for her! As other posters said, we have rehab have ortho surgery, why shouldn't our pets and the rehab cost is miniscule compared to the surgery & loss of movement if they don't get proper reconditioning.

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s3bola July 13th, 2009 07:44:02 AM

In that case, you should also know about the rapid growth of this emerging speciality area--one that's increasingly targeting cats, too.

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