| Few people think of physical therapy as a viable | | | | time. By carrying out controlled movement, scar and |
| option for rehabilitating injured cats. It is usually | | | | connective tissue is strengthened and the effects of |
| assumed that cats will not cooperate, but contrary | | | | contracture are minimised. |
| to popular belief, most do not resist treatment. | | | | Active Rehabilitation |
| Physical therapy can benefit most cats that have | | | | Active rehabilitation can start once a cat starts using |
| undergone surgery. It is helpful for cats with chronic | | | | an injured limb more. This further increases muscle |
| disease or injury that causes pain, which may be | | | | strength, muscle endurance and flexibility. There are |
| displayed as limping, stiffness, aggression or social | | | | various techniques available, such as the use of balls, |
| withdrawal. | | | | balance boards, slings and aquatic therapy. |
| How does physical therapy work? | | | | When doing the ball exercise, the cat lies on the top |
| After an operation, physical therapy reduces pain and | | | | of the inflatable ball and is supported. The ball is |
| swelling, increases strength in weakened muscles and | | | | gently rolled forward until the cats front paws come |
| improves the flexibility of joints. | | | | into contact with the ground. The ball is then |
| Hot and Cold Treatments | | | | bounced gently, which helps strengthen trunk muscles |
| Hot and cold treatments are known as passive | | | | as the cat maintains balance. The ball is then rolled |
| rehabilitation techniques. They can be used | | | | back until the hind paws touch the floor, and then |
| immediately after a surgical procedure, and also to | | | | gently bounced again. Cats may resist the therapy at |
| help chronic conditions such as arthritis. The | | | | first, but soon become accustomed to the rhythmic |
| application of cold compresses can reduce | | | | movement of the ball. |
| inflammation, pain and bleeding, and they can be | | | | Balance boards are platforms with a curved rubber |
| applied for 20 minutes one to four times daily. It is | | | | bottom. The cat is placed on the centre of the board |
| important to place a layer of material between the | | | | with its feet shoulder width apart, and the board is |
| cold pack and the cats skin so it is not | | | | slowly rocked from side to side. This is excellent for |
| uncomfortable. | | | | restoring stability in the early stages of weight |
| Heat therapy can be used once the signs of | | | | bearing after fracture or joint surgery. Slings help |
| inflammation have gone. Heat therapy increases | | | | support the cat during the early stages of recovery |
| metabolism and, when applied at this stage, helps | | | | from many conditions where the nervous system |
| decrease pain. Heat is usually applied for 20 minutes | | | | has been affected, and are particularly useful as |
| two to four times daily, but the applier must check | | | | support for cats that have had pelvic surgery. |
| the cats skin every few minutes to check it is not | | | | Aquatic therapy is best performed with a custom |
| uncomfortably hot. Treatment should be stopped if | | | | designed water tank and underwater treadmill. It |
| the cat shows any signs of discomfort. | | | | provides outstanding rehabilitation for soft tissue |
| Therapeutic Ultrasound | | | | injuries, arthritis, post surgery fracture care, post |
| Therapeutic ultrasound is another of the passive | | | | amputation care and neurological problems. It is |
| rehabilitation techniques. This increases the | | | | excellent for increasing strength, flexibility and |
| extensibility of collagen fibres, improves muscle | | | | endurance, while reducing the risk of reinjury. |
| condition and improves blood flow to the area | | | | How long should the therapy go on for? |
| treated. In doing this, it decreases pain and | | | | The length and frequency of therapy depends |
| accelerates healing. Care must be taken in cats that | | | | entirely on the type of injury, age and general health |
| have had metal implants to fix fractures, as reflection | | | | of the cat. Most fracture repairs benefit from |
| of the waves off the metal can intensify the heat | | | | therapy 2 to 3 times a week for 6 weeks, while |
| and cause burns. | | | | chronic conditions such as arthritis require twice |
| Another modern technique being pioneered by some | | | | weekly therapy indefinitely (though this usually occurs |
| clinics is phototherapy, also known as cold laser. This | | | | at home). The owners motivation is the key factor in |
| involves applying a low power light to an area that | | | | the success of the therapy, but with some simple |
| accelerates tissue repair. | | | | demonstrations and a little effort, a huge difference |
| Passive Range of Motion | | | | can be made. |
| Passive range of motion is the next step in the | | | | Is professional physical therapy in a clinic expensive? |
| rehabilitation program. This involves extending and | | | | There is a lot of variety among clinics, largely |
| manipulating the cats joint, and can be started before | | | | dependent on the expertise of the therapists and |
| the cat is fully weight bearing. This can be very | | | | the facilities available. Expect to pay US$50 to $75 |
| important in cats that have had splints or casts | | | | per session. |
| applied, when the joints have been static for some | | | | |