Physical Rehabilitation

Small Animal Hospital

Physical therapy utilizes a variety of manual exercises and modalities to attain better range of motion in joints and increase muscle strength and endurance.

Physical rehabilitation for your pets can have the same amazing benefits as physical therapy for humans. At Purdue we utilize a variety of manual exercises and modalities to attain better range of motion in joints and increase muscle strength and endurance.

Our end goal is to improve function and performance and increase the overall quality of life for our patients.

Physical Rehabilitation is commonly recommended for:

  • Post-operative and medically managed orthopedic patients
  • Post-operative and medically managed neurologic patients
  • Patients suffering from a variety of soft tissue injuries such as muscle strains
  • Weight management
  • Mental stimulation and mobility improvement and maintenance in geriatric patients
  • Improvement and maintenance of endurance and strength in active dogs, including agility and working dogs

Learn more

Conditions Treated and Procedures Offered

We treat common conditions such as arthritis and sports-related injuries, such as muscle strains; we also treat more complicated conditions, including changes in mobility resulting from significant orthopedic or neurologic injury or disease processes. Just as with humans, animals benefit from physical therapy to improve range of motion, achieve pain reduction, and increase quality of life.

Special Equipment

  • Underwater treadmill
  • Physioballs
  • Dino disc
  • Bosu ball
  • Electrical stimulation (TENS and NMES)
  • Balance board
  • Cavaletti rails
  • Land treadmill
  • Therapy laser - Class IV
  • Therapy ultrasound

Rehabilitation Fitness Goals

  • Weight loss
  • Improved physical fitness
  • Pain reduction
  • Improved movement, balance and joint mobility
  • Ancillary arthritis treatment
  • Maximize post-operative healing in orthopedic and neurologic disease
  • Mental stimulation
  • Improved quality of life

Schedule an Appointment

Call: 765-494-1107
24/7 Emergency Phone: 765-494-1107

Small Animal Hospital Entrances:

  • EMERGENCY - Small Animal Emergency
  • Entrance A - Lynn Hall Small Animal Lobby
  • Entrance B - David & Bonnie Brunner Small Animal Lobby

625 Harrison St
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Directions

Your First Visit

  • Meet with Purdue’s rehabilitation staff. At this time your pet is examined and we design a specific rehabilitation plan for your pet.

  • After to agreeing to a rehabilitation plan, we typically make objective measurements including gait lab analysis and limb range of motion and girth assessment.

  • Further in-hospital therapies and at-home treatment plans will be discussed.

  • Future visits with the rehab service can be drop off appointments or scheduled hour appointments made at a specific time during the day M-F.

  • After each session we will talk with you about how your pet is doing, goals for the next session, and what you can do at home to help with your pet’s rehabilitation.

  • Client Form (PDF)

Resources

Videos


Bladder Expression in a Female Dog

Bladder Expression in a Male Dog

Passive range of motion exercises in a dog

Weight shifting exercises in a dog

Dogs and Physical Therapy

 

Articles