Dealing with dog injuries can be a headache and heartache at the same time. Just like humans, dogs are delicate creatures and can get hurt quite easily. And knowing how playful they are, the accidents are a bit frequent with them. But, it happens, and you must be prepared to react accordingly.
There is a chance your dog might get injured once or twice in its lifespan. And it can be pretty scary for first-time dog owners, especially if your pup is recovering from a serious injury.
A dog recovering from a severe injury still needs exercise. A mentally and physically fit dog has more chances of recovering quickly than a dog lying in bed all day. But, there are still some limitations. It can’t go all out with that injured leg or a bad back. It has to start slowly and progress over time with a few guidelines in place.
Here are some recommendations for dealing with dog injuries and safely exercising your pup with an injured leg.
Why are Dog Physical Therapy Exercises Important for Dog Injuries?
Surgeries and injuries can affect your dog’s health, especially if it’s lying all day on the couch. The impact of an injury on the overall health, especially on the leg, can be a bit much. It needs motion and physical stimulation to get the strength it previously had, and only movement and stress can help achieve that.
Physical therapy and light, progressive exercise can help alleviate the pain, make your dog active, and regain its quality of life.
The recovery period could be a time of distress for both the owner and the pup, but careful management can significantly help. A slow and progressive start to physical rehabilitation, especially if the leg is involved, can ease the way forward for you and your dog.
Dog Physical Therapy Exercises You Can Do At Home to Help With Dog Injuries
In order to assist your pup’s recovery from an injured leg, here are a few gentle exercises you can try to do at home.
Sit & Stand
Sit & Stand is a strengthening exercise to warm up joints, muscles, and connective tissues for a more rigorous regime. But, in this case, your dog has an injured leg. So, instead of warming up for a rigorous exercise, we will focus entirely on building strength and keeping your pup active even with an injured leg.
Before starting the activity, ensure your dog is calm and relaxed. You have to ask your dog to sit on its hind legs, and after a few seconds, ask it to rise. Take a few steps forward and repeat the process. Do it 10 times or as many as your pup can withstand. If it starts straining, stop the activity immediately and offer a treat. Positive reinforcement works like a charm when exercising a dog with an injury. They love their favorite treats and will willingly cooperate even if it’s a tiring and straining exercise.
Swimming
Swimming is a low-impact exercise that utilizes all body muscles and is perfect for rebuilding muscle strength and stamina. If you have a pool in your backyard or a tub large enough to fit your pup, swimming can surely do wonders for your dog.
Some dogs hate the idea of water altogether, so to make it a bit more fun and engaging for your dog, throw in a few toys or join in yourself. However, not all dogs are quality swimmers, especially the ones recovering from an injured leg. So be sure to supervise these sessions and ensure that the life jacket is always kept on.
Canine Motion Exercises
Canine motion exercises are best for immobile dogs or those recovering from surgery who can’t perform the above-mentioned activities. These movements keep the dog’s joint cartilage nourished, maintain limb functions, and keep them flexible.
While performing motion exercises, lay your dog on its side and move the limb in a forward and backward motion to stretch it properly. If your dog is comfortable and is not straining, guide its leg in a rotating pattern. Repeat the process 5-10 times, and make sure you don’t pull against the limb’s ROM, as it can be painful.
Why Exercising Gradually and Incrementally is Important?
As your dog is recovering from an injury, you must take it slow and steady. If it’s a fractured leg, putting too much stress on it can further damage the bone. But, if it’s left entirely alone, a part of the previous strength might never recover. The trick is to start gradually and progressively.
First, start with a little walk around the room or a park, and try to limit it. If your pup tires or strains, stop and don’t force it. After a week or two, you will notice your dog is straining less and can walk properly. But, don’t over-exert it or let it jump and run around during the early phase of recovery.
Now, you need to gauge the recovery of your pup. You need to assess, and there’s a simple way to do it. Is it still limping while walking or not? If it is, it means there is still pain and discomfort. Your doctor may allow you to walk longer if their recovery instructions allow it, so keep building on the stamina and tread lightly.
We understand that the period of recovery can be both tough and stressful. The path is long, but patience is necessary to achieve the best results. There is every need to provide low-impact exercises to keep your dog fit as it can speed up the recovery process and also help improve its overall quality of life and strength.
