Kinesitherapy (also known as fitness), is equally advantegous.
Physiotherapy can be beneficial for perioperative patients – who need support in their recovery after surgery, as well as for animals with orthopedic problems – after injuries, for puppies and for geriatric patients, in whom rehabilitation helps maintain or improve the quality of life.
Thanks to various physiotherapeutic techniques it is, most of the time, possible for animals to return to the full fitness faster, so that they can enjoy unlimited mobility again.
Dogs are not the only ones that can benefit from physiotherapy. Cats, rabbits and guinea pigs just as often benefit from the support of a physiotherapist!
In Saskavet Clinic, zoophysiotherapeutic consultations, therapies and fitness classes are conducted by zoophysiotherapist Justyna Skórska. Online registration: https://www.wettermin.pl/lecznice/warszawa/4605.
What does a physiotherapeutic consultation look like and how to prepare your pet for it?
Reserve at least an hour for the first consultation. During the consultation, the patient is always examined while moving, and slow motion videos very often are being recorded to capture the dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system as pre-cisely as possible. Then the examination is performed in a standing and lying po-sition. It includes elements of orthopedic and neurological examination.
You should bring your pet’s current medical records, such as tests results, with you. The physiotherapist will also need to be provided with information about your pet’s current medications, diet, daily activity, and the types of surfaces it walks on at home.
The examination and other activities usually take place on the floor (on a special mat) – we recommend wearing casual clothes and taking your pet’s favorite treats with you.
When physiotherapy is indicated?
- before and after all types of surgical procedures
- in animals with pain, lameness, paresis or muscle atrophy
- in case of: wounds, swelling, hematomas, scars
- preventive purposes.
How do we work?
Massage and manual therapy
This is the main element of rehabilitation, in which the therapist’s hands, with appropriately selected movements, can alleviate pain and muscle tension.
Scar therapy
Scars, although a natural part of the healing process after surgery or injury, in some cases, can cause discomfort and lead to limited mobility. Thanks to the use of various physiotherapeutic techniques, such as manual therapy, INDIBA ther-apy and kinesiotaping, it is possible to improve the treatment of scars, and so their appearance and function.
INDIBA® therapy
Currently one of the most modern technologies in human and animal rehabilita-tion. INDIBA® is a unique type of electrotherapy characterized by transmitting a constant frequency of 448 kHz through the patient’s body. Numerous scientific studies confirm that this frequency is optimal for the regeneration of the body at the cellular level.
INDIBA® is used in acute (open wounds, post-operative conditions) and chronic conditions (degeneration, dysplasia).
The technology has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling properties, and can also be used in cases when manual and other types of physical therapy are contraindicated (e.g. cancer). The therapy is not limited by the use of metal implants and prostheses.
The INDIBA® therapy is non-invasive and pleasant – during the procedure ani-mals feel gentle warmth combined with a massage.
Indications for INDIBA® therapy:
- preparation of tissues for surgical procedures
- regenerative therapy on open and difficult-to-heal wounds
- acceleration of scar healing
- therapy for orthopedic diseases, joint and muscle pain
- therapy of acute, subacute and chronic conditions in which classic hyperthermia is contraindicated
- therapy of joint degeneration and dysplasia
- reduction of musculoskeletal symptoms accompanyingneurological diseases
- analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling effects
- treatment of muscle contractures, damage and fibrosis
- after orthopedic surgeries
- acceleration of recovery after surgical procedures
- injury prevention
- preparing sports animals for competitions and training
- acceleration of regeneration after bone fractures, as well as tendons, ligaments and muscles cracks
- tendinopathy
- therapy for inflammation of the synovium and joint capsule
- intensification of manual therapy
- active therapy
- discopathy therapy
- antiproliferative effect (in cancer cells)
- improvement of blood flow in tissues
- improvement of cellular metabolism.
Kinesiotaping
Kinesiotaping is a therapeutic technique that involves applying a special, flexible tape to the patient’s skin – to provide support, reduce pain and inflammation, improve circulation and lymphatic drainage. The tape used in kinesiotaping is designed to mimic skin elasticity and can be used in a variety of ways in order to achieve different therapeutic goals.
The method is often used in physiotherapy of people and animals as a supple-ment to the rehabilitation process.
In veterinary medicine, kinesiotaping can be beneficial in animals recovering after surgery and those suffering from diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Fitness/kinesitherapy
Physical exercises play a key role in the recovery process. When performed regu-larly, not only they restore fitness, but also reduce pain, promote tissue regenera-tion and improve the animal’s overall condition and quality of life.
It is extremely important to establish an appropriate rehabilitation program to-gether with a physiotherapist, so that it is tailored to the individual needs and capabilities of the patient.
Patients who can benefit from kinesitherapy are not only animals in the periop-erative period, but also those requiring preventive measures, such as puppies or geriatrics.
In Saskavet, fitness classes are held on Sundays, outside the clinic’s opening hours.
We have at our disposal:
- rubber anti-slip mat
- cavaletti
- sensory discs and rehabilitation balls, FitPAWS®
- WOODDOG® platforms
- jumpbox 30cm
- cones.
