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One of the most frequently asked questions vets and animal physical therapists receive is how dog owners can take care of their pet dogs with degenerative myelopathy. This illness, also known as DM for short, commonly affects bigger dog breeds, most noticeably on German Shepherds. However, many cases have also been seen on smaller breeds such as Corgis. This is a neurological illness that slowly prevents the dog from controlling their hind legs. There is a loss of sensory signals from the brain to this area and so the dog will have a hard time walking and balancing. Slowly it will progress to it not being able to get up until full paralysis occurs. Besides a slight change of the dog’s diet and a bit more exercise, physical therapy and rehabilitation has been used to treat and minimise the symptoms of DM. in most cases, dog owners might have a hard time looking for an animal physical therapist specialist. However, their vet can gladly teach them about these methods. Below are some common therapies used for degenerative myelopathy. Hydrotherapy Hydrotherapy basically means any form of physical therapy that is done with water. The most common of which is swimming. Swimming is one of the best exercises since it lets the dog move its whole body. It’s best to let the dog go swimming in an area where the dog owners can keep a good eye on it. Dog owners an even swim with their pet dogs to assure themselves that nothing is going to happen to it. With swimming however, although the dog gets to move its whole body, most of the movement is done on its front legs. a good way to exercise both front and back legs it to use a treadmill placed under water. The water stops most of the stress caused by walking and owners have full control over their dogs. However, it’s hard to find these machines and access to them is quite difficult. Home Exercises Home Exercises is the easiest form of physical therapy that dog owners can use on their pets. These exercises help improve their coordination and strength. An example of these exercises is when a dog owner leads their dog though a small obstacle course the needs it to lift up its legs. Owners really don’t have to buy the expensive therapy tools, they can just improvise and use ordinary things in the house as obstacles. Rubber mats and corner rugs may be needed to help the dog have a better grip.
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degenerative myelopathy, dog health, health, pet health, dm,
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