Companion Animals and Physical Challenges

Companion animals can experience physical challenges as a result of weight, age, birth abnormality, congenital abnormality, disease and injury . These challenges may result in a short-term, long term or permanent decrease in a pet's mobility leading to frustration for both the owner and pet; increased risk of injury to the owner or further injury to the pet; and in some cases, premature euthanasia.

BENEFITS TO PHYSICAL CHALLENGES CARE - Physical Therapy, Ambulatory assistance (Carts, Slings, Harnesses, orthotics, prosthetics), Medicinal aid

- Physio Rehab,  aids with muscle, joint, tendon, ligament or neurological conditions. It helps to keep the body moving and functioning! Focus is on pain management, muscle strengthening, joint mobility, balance and coordination.

-Laser therapy is a light energy which has healing properties. The spectrum of these rays is not visible to our eyes. How it works is the laser penetrates the cells and will cause the body to respond in several ways: the cells replicate faster, thereby healing tissue faster; blood flow increases to the treated area; fluid held in the tissue (swelling) drains faster; and nerve endings are soothed by the laser and pain signals are inhibited, thereby decreasing pain.

- They can enable companion animals to perform the normal activities of daily living in order to prevent depression and discomfort. Such as going for walks, doing their necessities, playing, chasing. Maintains body function and muscle mass by allowing companion animals to move.

- Assistive devices can protect owners, family members, hospital staff and others, by providing assistance in moving the dog, while limiting the potential of injury.

AMBULATORY ASSISTANCE

- Slings (General rule: Pet that requires a sling should have limited access to stairs as much as possible)

A valuable tool to help pets that require short-term assistance eg. 2-3 weeks following surgery, or are recovering from short-term injury. How they work? They take a portion of the patient's weight, while enabling the handler to provide support and stability. More useful for pets experiencing hind end difficulties, however they may be placed around the rib cage in an effort to provide front end support. They should be sturdy and easy to clean and should avoid rubbing or abrading the patient. Constructed from a a variety of different materials, from a simple towel placed under the belly facing the hind legs, to one constructed with handles that increase their safety to ensure better grip. By ensuring a good grip on the sling at all times it reduces the risk of the patient slipping and falling. They particularly useful in helping pets go upstairs, however be more cautious when descending.

- Harnesses

For patients that require long term assistance, pets with chronic conditions which are unlikely to improve e.g senior dog with hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, or those that undergo extensive surgery procedures over a period of time such as bilateral cruciate surgeries. Proper harnesses generally consist of a front piece or a combination front and back pieces with handles on both pieces, to provide support as needed by the handler. Harnesses with only a front pieces are suitable for those experiencing hind limb weakness. Harness should fit well, be easy to clean and not cause abrasion or discomfort. Many can be left on all day, but should be taken off at night (common sense).

-Carts

Equivalent to the human wheelchair or walker in that they provide pets with limited hind and/or forelimb function to continue to live normal lives. If fitted correctly , carts should allow for the pet to be able to move easily and do necessities without difficulty. These can be adjusted, fitted, and manufactured to support the pets specific needs weather it be front or hind limbs or full body support. It is essential that it fit the pet properly, be sturdy but light and allow pet daily activities such as running on rough terrain without the potential of tipping .

There are varieties:

 Hind-end support for animals that has lost all or some of the function of their hind legs, animal is able to use their hind legs to ambulate but with the cart taking some of the body weight.

Front-end support for animals that have lost some or all of the functions in their front limbs or have undergone front limb amputation, a front end support allows for the remaining limb to be suspended so that the animal can move in a walking motion.

Quads support for animals that have lost all or some function in three or all limbs, it allows the animals to move its legs in a normal walking pattern without having to support their body weight at the same time.

- Orthotics

They are intended to relieve or correct an orthopedic problem. Can be used short term or long term for pets suffering from Calcaneal tendon rupture. Their purpose is to provide support and relieve discomfort. Generally they are tolerated well, but it is essential that an orthotic is custom fit to the pet. Orthotics should be made of soft material i.e neoprene with extra support where required, or harder substances such as fiber glass, thermoplastics, carbon fiber, metals, elastics, EVA, fabric or a combination of these. Ill fitting orthotics will not fulfill the function for which they are designed and at worst can contribute to further discomfort and potential injury to patient.

-Prosthetics

Artificial body parts that are used to preplace absent body parts. Less frequently used. However they can be used where there is enough limb remaining to allow for attachment. They are made of a combination of materials including fiberglass, metal alloys, Carbon fiber, thermoplastics foams and reinforcement textiles. Must be customized to animal in order to ensure that it fits correctly and does not pose the risk of further injury.

Foot Protection

Commonly for animals experiencing ambulatory difficulties. Aids animals who drag or knuckle their hind limbs leading to worn down and bleeding toenails, wounds, or abrasions on their feet.

Boots

Useful when protecting pet feet from irritants such as salt in winter. Not very commonly used in physical rehabilitation. However there are instances such as when a pet requires a cart for support but still has some use of its hind legs and is using its feet for mobility, it helps prevent injury to the feet.

Rubber Booties

They resemble rubber balloons that can be placed over a pet's feet. They can help prevent foot abrasion. Although they cannot be worn for an extensive period of time, and should be taken off at home . They do wear out fairly quickly

Grip socks

Specifically designed socks that have grips on the bottom. Provide traction on slippery surfaces such as hard wood or tile. Well tolerated and may increase the pet's limb flexion and extension by encouraging a normal gait when walking.

Nail Covers

In some cases there is a tendency for pets to wear down only their nails, rather than abrading their feet or toes. This can result in bleeding toe nails. Some solutions are leaving the nail with enough length to prevent floor filing to reaching the quick or nail covers may be a solution. They provide a cover over the nails to offer some protection, but do not adversely affect the pet's walking orientation. Nail covers are inexpensive, on the downside they have to be reapplied fairly frequently as they do fall off with normal wear and tear, also depending on your pet they may be difficult to apply

- Medicinal aid alternative to pain management for when pain is progressive and persistent and difficult to control. Therefore, early intervention is best. Arthritis is a very common and chronic condition that is painful.

There are a number of devices available to assist pets that are experiencing mobility issues. These are valuable not only from the perspective of maintaining an animal's quality of life, but also in helping to reduce the risk of injury to pet and owner. It is essential that these devices be chosen on a case by case basis and fitted correctly to the animal.