Senior Pets and Physical Therapy

When you hear the term "physical therapy," you likely picture someone who has recently had surgery and requires rehabilitation to rebuild their strength. As your pet ages, their body slowly declines and becomes as weak as if they had surgery on a limb or joint. During this age-related decline, they can lose muscle mass and the strength necessary to perform daily activities, but physical therapy can rejuvenate aching joints and build muscle mass to help support those joints. While physical therapy can help your furry pal following orthopedic surgery, the same treatment can benefit your senior pet's overall health.

How does physical therapy benefit senior pets?

Physical therapy is not only a common treatment modality for pets after surgery but is also frequently used to help support senior pets or those with weak or painful joints. Physical therapy sessions can offer your senior pet the following benefits:

Increased range of motion and flexibility
Strengthening weakened muscles
Pain reduction
Improved mobility
Better quality of life
Weight management

Physical therapy is often advised for pets suffering from joint, spinal cord, and soft tissue injuries, nerve disorders, osteoarthritis, pain, inflammation, weakness, hip and elbow dysplasia, and other conditions that often come with old age. Every pet can benefit from physical therapy.

What physical therapy options are available for senior pets?

Physical therapy for pets has become a popular treatment modality, mirroring human physical therapy with many of the same techniques and methods for strength and muscle gain. When searching for physical therapy options for your senior pet, you will discover a wide array of choices, including:

Aquatic therapy, or hydrotherapy, is a standard, low-impact physical therapy modality that may involve swimming or using an underwater treadmill. This therapy is ideal for pets who struggle to support their body weight or are painful and stiff when moving. Your pet becomes buoyant in water, which reduces joint stress and pain and also provides resistance to help build and strengthen muscle.
Massage therapy is not the gentle massage you use when you pet your furry pal. This therapy goes deeper into the body's tissues and increases blood circulation, promoting healing and alleviating pain.
Cold therapy, or cryotherapy, can help reduce inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, and pain by constricting blood vessels. Cryotherapy is most commonly used immediately after an injury to halt inflammation and swelling, but it can also be used as needed.
Heat therapy is often used to help reduce muscle spasms and pain, lower blood pressure, and improve circulation by dilating blood vessels. This therapy is often paired with cryotherapy for maximum efficacy.
Laser therapy uses light waves of a specific wavelength to alter cellular and tissue physiology, spurring cell growth and repair. Laser therapy causes endorphin release, which promotes tissue repair, increased blood circulation, muscle relaxation, decreased inflammation, and faster healing.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of tiny, fine needles into certain points on your pet's body to promote circulation, reduce pain and inflammation, and encourage healing. Acupuncture can also help strengthen your pet's body.

Physical therapy can substantially benefit your senior pet but must be performed by a certified rehabilitation practitioner or specialist. Ask your primary care veterinarian for a recommendation.

If your senior pet's body is weakening and they struggle to navigate your home, consider physical therapy to help boost their strength. However, if your pet further declines over time, you may choose to support them through their final moments with hospice care. Contact our office at (802)871-2329 for more advice on keeping your senior pet comfortable through their golden years.