ASSISTED LIVING  DISEASE   NUTRITION   REPRODUCTION  STUDIES  TOXINS   TRAINING

OUTSIDE LINKS

Information about Pets’ Pain Medication

Incontinent Pet Bed
Carts
Senior care
Elbow protection
Body suits
Chest vest pet lifter
FREE PEDOMETER
to help track your dog’s exercise

Pets with Disabilities
Petswithdisabilities.com
blinddogs.com


Wheels, harnesses, and braces for injured or paralyzed dogs
k9carts.com
doggon.com
wheelchairsfordogs.com
walkaboutharness.com
A-TraC Dynamic Brace

Stairs and Ramps
Steps and Perches
dogramp.com
The Happy Hop Pet Ramp
Carpeted Dog Ramp
Boat Ramp

Senior Dog Project
www.srdogs.com

Recommended Exercises for Dogs with Osteoarthritis

Goals

• Reduce body weight
• Increase joint mobility
• Strengthen supporting muscles
• Enhance performance, conditioning, and endurance
• Reduce joint pain with low-impact, weight-bearing exercises

Recommendations

• Begin therapeutic exercise only after major risk factors such as joint instability or obesity have been corrected.
• Short exercise periods throughout the day should be separated by long rest periods.
• Exercise periods should be consistent & evenly spaced, rather than compacting all activity into a weekend.
• Exercise level should gradually and progressively increase by no more than 10% to 15% per week.
• Exercise should provide benefit without discomfort.  If joint pain increases after exercise, the length of activity should be cut in half to prevent acute joint inflammation.
• Exercise level should be based on the severity of the arthritis, response to concurrent therapy, pain tolerance, and the family’s ability to participate.

Examples of Therapeutic Exercises

Warm-up

Before beginning exercise, walk the dog slowly for 5 to 10 minutes.  If stiffness is present, precede the walk with heat and passive range-of-motion and stretching exercises: the affected joint is slowly flexed until restriction is detected, then held for 15 to 30 seconds.  Manipulation may cause the dog mild discomfort as indicated by tensing the limb, turning of the head, or trying to push away.  UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES should the dog be subjected to pain sufficient to cause vocalization or an attempt to bite.
After flexion, the joint is slowly extended until the first indication of discomfort, then held for 15 to 30 seconds.  Massage of the surrounding muscles may accompany stretching exercises.

Dogs with hindlimb injury may have back pain, and may benefit from stretching with or without massage.  Traction can be achieved by draping the dog over a rolled blanket, pillow or ottoman big enough for the hindpaws to reach the ground while the forepaws barely touch. 

General Strengthening and Conditioning

For patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis, slow short frequent leash walks are most important.  Begin with movement and weight bearing for 2 to 5 minutes two to three times a day.  If lameness or limb use does not become worse after the first couple days, the lenth and time of the walks can be gradually increased by 1 to 3 minutes per session every few days.  Dogs can be walked up and down inclines, hills, or ramps to add more challenges and encourage muscular and cardiovascular fitness.  Uneven or slippery ground should be avoided.  A treadmill can reduce the stress and pain of limb movement after knee surgery or with hip dysplasia; the moving belt provides active assistance during joint extension, improving stance time and stride length.

If the dog is walking with minimal lameness and pain, jogging can improve cardiovascular fitness as well as muscle strength.  Begin jogging slowly, 2 to 3 minutes two to four fimes a day.  If lameness is worse after jogging, the dog should rest for several days while receiving anti-inflammatory medications.  When jogging is reinitiated, it should be at slower speeds and for a shorted time.  Dogs who encounter no problems with jogging on flat surfaces can begin jogging uphill for greater effect.

Proprioception and Strengthening of Core Body Muscles

Proprioception is the sense which detects limb position.  To improve balance, coordination and proprioception, place the dog’s feet on a tilting board like an abbreviated teeter-totter.  As you tilt the board up and down, the abdominal, epaxial and hypaxial muscles tighten and relax without joint impact.

Active Joint Range of Motion

Sit-to-Stand exercises help improve gluteal muscle action and strength.  The hip is maximally flexed, but not extended to a point which is painful for patients with hip dysplasia.  Concentrate on having the dog sit and stand correctly, with both rear limbs flexing equally while sitting, and pushing off evenly with both rear limbs to stand.  Start with 5 to 10 repetitions once or twice daily and work up to 15 repetitions three to four times daily.

Cavaletti rail walking increases motion of the elbow, stifle and tarsal joints.  Place a straight ladder flat on the ground.  Have the dog walk the length of the ladder, placing its feet between the rungs.  Raise the ladder off the ground to increase the degree of joint motion.

Walking up and down stairs slowly is a functional activity to improve joint motion.  Start with low, gradually rising steps; the dog should step up with each limb rather than skipping up steps or “bunny hopping” using both rear limbs together.  Dogs with mobility impairment should be supervised to prevent falls.

Aquatic Exercises

Buoyancy of water reduces force and concussion on painful joints.  Additionally, aquatic exercise requires greater range of motion, and the resistance of water helps with muscle strengthening and cardiovascular fitness.  Swimming may be too vigorous for dogs with advanced arthritis, but can increase joint flexion in dogs with minimal arthritis.

Adapted from Darryl Millis, DMV, CCRP, DACVS & Pam Nichols, DVM, CCRP