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Psychological and Emotional Aspects of Pain in Dogs

2/22/2021

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When we think of pain, we generally think of the physical effects—our dog cannot walk or walks with a limp, a surgery wound, or something similar. But pain doesn’t only impact us in physical ways—it also affects them in psychological and emotional ways.

If you have ever had surgery or broken a bone and have been down or frustrated by your limitations, you’ll probably understand this. Here’s what you should know about the other aspects of pain that can impact your dog and what you can do about it.

Types of Pain in Dogs
Pain in dogs is typically either acute or chronic. Acute pain is caused by a recent event occurring over a short period of time due to an injury, illness, or surgery. It often comes on quickly and improves quickly as well, once the issue causing the pain is healed.

Chronic pain lasts for a longer period of time, and longer than the expected healing time would be. Acute pain can become chronic pain if it extends longer than expected. An example would be if an injury doesn’t heal properly, leaving some residual pain. Chronic pain can be from many things, and some of the common causes are osteoarthritis and neuropathy.

How Do You Know When Your Dog is in Pain?
We know dogs feel pain as they have ways of indicating that they do. Your dog may express their pain in physical ways, like limping, panting, restlessness, excessive licking, and other ways. Sometimes these signs can be quite obvious, and other times your dog’s signs of pain can be subtle, so it’s not always easy to be sure.

You may also notice behavioral changes in your dog, either with or without these physical demonstrations of pain. You may see that your dog stops wanting to go for walks or playing their favorite game of fetch. So, these behavioral changes can be similar to some of the physical signs. Or, they could be more general, like if your dog seems withdrawn or anxious.

It can be hard to tell as many of these signs of pain can be subtle. And, for something like your dog not wanting to go for a walk, there could be other reasons for the change in behavior that are not due to pain. When It’s a slow change over time, it can be even harder to link the behavioral change to pain.

Impacts of Pain
According to the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), pain is “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage…” Generally speaking, it’s is our body’s way of indicating something is wrong. Though the more traditional view of pain is a physical issue, IASP’s definition indicates equal significance given to the sensory experience and the physical issue. 

Physiological Impacts of Pain
Dealing with pain over time can lead to physical changes in the body. The intense physiological stress response due to pain can lead to delayed healing, which can prolong pain. It can also cause decreased gastro-intestinal (GI) mobility, leading to bacterial overgrowth and issues like sepsis, a systemic infection that can cause multiple organ failures.

Prolonged pain can also cause water and sodium retention, which can be particularly problematic for animals with heart disease. It can also cause a decrease in taking in oxygen and getting it to the cells throughout their bodies that need it. All of these issues can negatively impact our dog’s quality of life, which, at its most dramatic levels, can cause a threat to survival.

Psychological Impacts of Pain
Pain isn’t only unpleasant physically, but it’s also negative from an emotional level as it causes fear. It can bring about undesirable consequences as pain can trigger a continuum of fear, anxiety, and stress, leading to more pain and suffering.

Critically ill and critically injured dogs may exhibit social isolation where they hide themselves away somewhere. They also may not behave normally, not wanting to eat, go for a walk, or snuggling with you. 

Benefits of Treating Pain
So, it’s not just a matter of their pushing through to deal with the pain. You can actually help improve their life by helping them to manage it better. The impact of pain is not just the reaction that something hurts, but the true impact is suffering.

By treating pain, you can improve your pet’s physical, psychological, and emotional condition. Many of the improvements can be measured through blood work, testing, and a physical exam. The psychological and emotional improvements can’t be so easily measured but often have a greater impact on your pet.

If you have ever had a dog that either gets sick or goes through surgery, you’ll likely understand this as you have seen the impact. At first, your dog may just want to sleep a lot, doesn’t move around much, and may not want to eat. As your dog heals, you feel like you “got your dog back.” Maybe they seek your attention again, eat, and are more playful—regardless of the specific behaviors, your dog is acting like your dog again. It’s a cycle as when your dog feels better, your dog will heal faster, and their body will run more effectively.

What to Do if You Believe Your Dog is in Pain
If your dog is exhibiting symptoms of pain, and particularly, multiple signs, schedule an appointment with your vet. It’s a good idea to document what you’re seeing and when to help you and your vet find any trends to help identify the cause.

If you know the cause, share that with your vet to discuss treatment options. Some pain is ok, and it’s part of life. For example, your dog is going to be in some pain after surgery. However, you can help to manage and reduce the pain for both acute and chronic medical issues to help your dog live a better and happier life.

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Subtle Signs of Pain in Your Dog (That You Might Miss)

1/24/2021

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It can be a tricky thing to identify pain in your dog. Since your dog can’t tell you how they’re feeling, dog owners are reliant on looking for signs that can be rather subtle to identify pain. And to make it even more challenging, dogs tend to hide their pain and often show only subtle behavioral and physical signs, making it even harder to notice. Here’s what you need to know about the subtle signs of pain your dog may exhibit.

The Types of Pain in Dogs
The most common types of pain in dogs are either acute or chronic pain. With acute pain, the cause is due to a recent event over a short period of time. This could be due to injury, surgery, or illness. It generally improves quickly and once the issue is healed, the pain generally is gone. 

Chronic pain lasts for a longer period of time than the expected time-frame for healing. Or, it is sometimes associated with certain medical conditions like osteoarthritis, neuropathy, cancer, and others. Acute pain can also become chronic pain that extends over a period of time. 

Signs Your Dog is in Pain
Some of the signs of pain your dog may express are physical and some are behavioral. For example, if your dog is limping, that’s a pretty clear physical sign of pain and one that should be checked out by a vet. Signs of acute pain tend to be a bit more obvious, though not always. 

Some signs of pain can often be a lot more subtle or hard to define. Here are some examples and things to consider:

  • Trembling—Could your dog be cold? Does he have a history of anxiety? Trembling for no identifiable reason can be an indication of pain.
  • Panting—Has your pet recently been active? Is your dog hot and possibly overheated? If the panting is not otherwise explainable, it may be a sign of pain.
  • Sensitive to the touch—Is your dog not letting you pet him as he normally would? Does he cry out, flinch, or move when you touch a certain area? Sensitivity to touch can be another indication of pain.
  • Restlessness—Is your dog pacing a lot? Does he pop up quickly after sitting down or laying down? This sign of agitation can be a sign of musculoskeletal pain.
  • Unwilling to lay down—On the flip side, does your dog not want to lay down at all? Or perhaps, he puts his front end down only and doesn’t put his back end down. When dogs do this it could be abdominal or musculoskeletal pain.
  • Inability or reluctance to move its head—Is your dog not willing or hesitant to move its head or neck, either side-to-side or up and down? This could be when taking a treat, eating from its food bowl, or other situations. If so, this could be caused by pain.
  • Unexplained barking or whining—Does your dog bark, whine, or vocalize when not expected? So, not when you get his leash or grab his bowl, but at an unusual time. This is something to keep an eye on as it could be a sign of pain. 
  • Changed tail position—Does your dog’s tail usually hang down but it’s upright? If it seems unusual to you, it’s something to keep an eye on.
  • Excessive licking—Is your dog licking a certain area frequently or just licking more in general? This could be an indication of anxiety and of pain.

Another thing to be aware of is changes in your dog’s behavior. Have you noticed increased anxiety or withdrawal? This could be similar to some of the signs above, or it could be more generalized. For example, if your dog stops wanting to go for walks or doesn’t want to eat. 

Chronic pain can trigger depression and anxiety in dogs, just as it can in humans. If you notice your dog doing any of these things, or several, keep an eye out. 

When You Should Go to the Vet
Some of these signs can be really subtle. And with chronic pain, they can slowly increase with time so you don’t notice them. It’s easy to get caught up in life and when they progress slowly, it’s easy to attribute them to general aging. However, once you notice any one of these, or especially if there are multiple of these signs, it’s a good idea to get your dog checked out by a vet.

Keep a list of the signs that you’re seeing and when you notice them. It’s particularly helpful to understand how frequently they are happening and if there is some precipitating activity causing them. Does your dog seem reluctant to lay down after a long walk? Does he get restless after a game of fetch? This can help you and your vet determine what the issue may be so you can help to manage it.

It can be really challenging figuring out if your dog is in pain. Unfortunately, they can’t tell us! If you notice unusual behaviors or you realize they are not doing things they have always enjoyed, it’s a good idea to get them checked out by a vet.
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Chronic Pain vs. Acute Pain in Dogs

12/21/2020

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It can be hard to determine if your dog may be in pain as they can be masters of hiding it. Sure, if your dog is limping, chances are you will know something is wrong. However, it’s not always so clear. Owners don’t want to miss the signs of pain as it can lead to prolonging their dog’s discomfort. In this four-part series, we’re going to dive into pain in dogs. In the first article, you’ll learn about the two primary types of pain that may impact your dog and some helpful hints to distinguish them.

Do Dogs Feel Pain?
Pain is a feeling of discomfort that indicates (usually) something may be wrong. It’s our body’s way of signaling that an area needs to be protected to allow it to heal. Pain can range from mild discomfort, like an ache, to sharp pain. It can be a nuisance, like a mild headache, or it can be more significant, like a sharp pain that is so bad that you’re unable to walk. Some descriptions of pain include throbbing, stabbing, pinching, aching, piercing and there can be many others.

Some people believe dogs don’t feel pain, or if they do, that they have a much higher threshold for pain than people do. In truth, dogs feel pain in the same way humans do, though they don’t always show it in the same way. 

Think about it—a human can express their feelings through words. “Ouch!” Whereas a dog can’t be that specific in its communication. If a dog barks or growls, you might not know what it means. As a result, dogs often rely on owners to pick up the cues- or suffer in silence.

These indications of pain in dogs can be expressed through physical symptoms, mobility issues, and behavioral changes. They may be obvious, like if your dog is limping or whining. Or, they can be much more subtle, like if your dog pulls away when you pet him in certain areas. 

Types of Pain
There are two primary types of pain in dogs—acute pain and chronic pain. Knowing which type of pain your dog may be dealing with can help you to understand potential causes.
Acute Pain in DogsWhen your dog is suffering from acute pain, it is due to some recent event or trauma that has been present for a short period of time. This pain is usually associated with things like injury, surgery, or even illness. It generally improves within the first few days after the event that caused it. However, it can last as long as it takes for the issue causing the pain to heal.

Acute pain in dogs often causes behavioral changes. When dogs feel this kind of pain, you may notice that they may not want to be touched. They may also do things like hiding or not putting weight on an injured leg. If you notice these kinds of behaviors in your dog, he may be dealing with acute pain.

Acute pain is sometimes known as adaptive pain as it’s pain that heals with a return to function. It serves a purpose to protect the dog. If a dog breaks a bone, for example, the pain goes away as the bone heals. However, if the bone isn’t treated properly and remains out of alignment it can get worse, leading to chronic pain.

Treatment of Acute Pain in Dogs
Acute pain often requires a visit to the vet and treatment will depend on the cause and the severity of pain. Treatment may require prescribed pain medication and rest or it could require more. It generally lasts for a short period of time—days or even months, depending on the issue. Pain lasting for a longer period of time becomes chronic pain. 

Chronic Pain in Dogs
Chronic pain persists longer than the period of time expected for healing. Or, it can also be associated with certain conditions. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common, but it can also include pain caused by cancer, neuropathy or myopathy, and conditions like intervertebral disk disease and others. Acute pain can also become chronic pain as mentioned earlier.

Chronic pain is often called maladaptive pain as it doesn’t seem to serve any purpose to protect the area in pain. In the case of arthritis, for example, it’s not a condition that can be cured. So, the pain remains present along with the osteoarthritis. 

With chronic pain, you may see your dog limping, or you may see more subtle behavioral changes. Some dogs may be less willing to do things they used to do before. This could be activities like running, or perhaps they are less willing to jump or climb stairs. You may notice they are generally less active than usual. These signs may be much more subtle and can be easily overlooked or dismissed as “aging” but they are often still there. 

Treatment of Chronic Pain in Dogs
Chronic pain in dogs is often not curable, but it can be managed. Pain medications given at the right dosage can ease it, reducing the pain signals to the brain to give the nervous system a chance to recover. There are also some holistic treatments that can help manage chronic pain as well as therapies like physical rehabilitation.

Treating chronic pain helps to reduce your dog’s stress while keeping him comfortable. And, it enables dogs to engage in the activities they love giving them an improved quality of life. It may take some time to determine that the behavioral changes you are seeing are related to chronic pain. When you do realize, or if you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to go to your primary vet for an exam. Share the changes you’re experiencing to help your vet determine the cause of the pain. 

Understanding Chronic Pain vs. Acute Pain in Dogs
Dogs feel pain just like humans. However, their inability to directly express that they are in pain and the site of their pain can be challenging for owners. Knowing the difference between acute and chronic pain can help you to know what to look for so you can help your dog feel better.
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The Benefits of Cold Laser Therapy for Dogs

10/22/2020

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There are many tools a Canine Physical Rehabilitation Vet uses, and one of them is cold-laser therapy. Most people have heard of it, however, fewer people know what it is and how it may help your dog. Here’s what you may want to know about cold laser therapy for dogs to help you determine if it may be right for your dog.

What is Cold Laser Therapy?
Cold laser therapy can be an effective treatment for reducing inflammation and pain and promoting healing in dogs. And it’s not just for dogs—cold laser is used on other animals and humans. It goes by several names, including low-level laser therapy (LLLT), red-light therapy, and photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT).

Cold laser therapy uses beams of light (photons) to increase blood circulation and to stimulate cell generation. This physiological change at a cellular level can help to replenish adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule in cells that carries energy. This, in turn, helps to reduce pain and inflammation. 

In simple terms, the cold laser provides a “jump-start” for healing at a cellular level. They are “colder” and shorter in length than the laser beams you might think of that can cut through objects. As a result, they are therapeutic and safe to use.

Some advantages of cold laser therapy include that it is not invasive, so benefits are seen without surgery. It’s also drug-free, and there is no pain with its use. Because of this, cold laser therapy is effective, especially when used with other treatment modalities, like physical rehab.

After a treatment, dogs usually have less swelling and pain, which provides an increase in range of motion and mobility. Cold laser has been found to promote healing effectively and the benefits increase with regular use.

What Medical Conditions Can Cold Laser Help?

Cold laser therapy can be used effectively for many medical issues. Some typical uses in my rehab practice include:

  • Reducing osteoarthritic pain from hip dysplasia
  • Wound healing—post-surgical or soft-tissue trauma
  • Improving nerve function and nerve regeneration
  • Supporting degenerative disc disease
  • Healing muscle, joint, or ligament injuries
  • Reducing the formation of scar tissue
  • Improving infections

When used correctly, there are no known risks or side effects of cold laser therapy. You should use a reputable veterinarian to ensure that it is used appropriately. It is also important to wear protective eyeglasses and not shine the laser directly in the dog’s or owner’s eyes or it could potentially burn the retinas and impact vision.

There are a few situations when cold laser should not be used. Because it stimulates cell growth, it should not be used at the site of a tumor or in a dog with metastatic cancer that has spread to multiple areas as it could accelerate cancer growth. Additionally, it should not be used over the uterus of a pregnant dog. 

What to Expect During a Session

You and your dog will get your special protective glasses to wear during the entire time the laser is used. There is seriously nothing cuter than a dog wearing Doggles©️. 

I hold the laser in my hand and aim the light directly at the dog in the area I want to treat. (In the case of a wound, I would position it above). Treatments usually last between ten and twenty minutes.

Your dog may be a little unsure initially as there can be a slight tingling sensation from the laser. Usually, though, the dogs settle right down and often will nap during the session. You can sit right next to your dog and pet them during the treatment. 

If you have any interest, please ask me what it feels like. I’m happy to demonstrate.

How Many Treatments Will My Dog Need?

The recommended number and frequency with cold laser therapy treatments will depend on your dog’s needs. If your dog has an acute condition, like post-surgery, we may discuss weekly treatments for a few months. For chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, your dog may benefit from prolonged weekly treatments (or the frequency you can do). As your dog heals, depending on the medical issue, treatments may be spaced out further based on the level of healing and pain.

Many dogs show improvement after the first visit, though the speed and level will vary by the dog. For some, it may take a few visits. I have seen cases where a dog shows marked improvement after leaving my gym, and other times, it can be much more subtle. 

Does Pet Insurance Cover Cold-Laser Therapy?

One question many people have is whether pet insurance covers cold-laser therapy. And the answer is generally speaking, yes. Since cold laser is used for dogs with a medical issue, most pet insurance policies will cover it. However, you do need to check the specific terms of your policy to make sure. 

At Arizona Veterinary Physical Rehabilitation, cold-laser therapy is included in multi-visit packages. So, if your pet insurance does cover the physical rehab visits (and most do), then cold laser would be covered. Physical rehab is typically covered by pet insurance, but again, check your policy to make sure you understand the coverage.

Cold laser therapy can be a helpful and effective way to improve your dog’s mobility, reduce pain, and decrease inflammation. It’s especially useful when used in combination with other therapies, which is why I offer it in my practice. If you’re interested in learning more, please ask and I’m happy to discuss if it may be helpful for your dog.

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How Does an Assissi Loop Help My Dog?

9/16/2020

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Your vets have a number of great tools and therapies to help your dog heal from acute trauma and to reduce the impacts of chronic conditions. One of the effective ways to manage and reduce pain and inflammation and to promote healing is with a tool called an Assissi Loop. I am a huge proponent of these devices and I use them effectively on many patients in my practice with positive results. Read more about what an Assissi Loop is and how it may benefit your dog.

How Does an Assissi Loop Work?
An Assissi Loop emits bursts of microcurrent electricity that evenly penetrates body tissue around the area where the loop is placed. This electromagnetic energy causes a chemical process that increases nitric oxide production, known to promote healing in humans and animals. This compound is released naturally in the body when we are injured, and even when we exercise to signal the body to repair itself. 

The loop is effective on both hard and soft tissue including skin, bones, ligaments, tendons, and even organs. It was designed to use a specific ratio of frequency-to-burst width that has been proven to be effective at delivering the optimal amount of electromagnetic energy needed to stimulate nitric oxide production. Too little isn’t as effective and too much can actually slow the healing process. In this case, more power does not mean more effective.

Assisi loops are pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) devices offering non-invasive therapeutic benefits. This FDA-approved therapy can be used on dogs, cats, and horses as well as on humans. The 15-minute timed treatments promote blood flow and have no known side effects. The Assissi Loop has been found to not only speed the healing process but also to reduce inflammation and reduce pain levels. It penetrates fur, casts, and bandages to reach body tissue for powerful relief with only a minimal tingling sensation in some people and animals.

Medical Conditions the Assissi Loop May Treat
The Assissi loop can be beneficial with medical conditions that cause pain and swelling, inflammatory conditions, some neurological and degenerative conditions, as well as post-surgical care and wound healing. This includes:

  • Arthritis
  • Fractures and broken bones
  • Degenerative joint disease
  • Cruciate tear (CCL)
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Lumbar stenosis
  • Intervertebral Disk Disease ( IVDD)
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Muscle strains
  • Amputation healing
  • Degenerative myelopathy
  • Neuropathy
  • Wobbler’s syndrome

It may also help with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), pancreatitis, cystitis, granulomas, tumor removal, tooth extraction, and other medical issues. If you’re unsure if it may be useful for your dog, please ask. 

How Do I Use an Assissi Loop?
An Assissi Loop is a prescription item that must be prescribed by a doctor or veterinary professional. When you bring your pet to a vet, we will do a thorough evaluation and then will discuss treatment options with you which may include an Assissi Loop. If it is not mentioned and your dog has one of the medical issues noted above, it is worth asking.

To use the Assissi Loop, simply hold it over the area you wish to treat and press the button to turn it on. You will see a flashing light to indicate that it is working. Each treatment is timed for 15 minutes, so when the light stops flashing, you know the treatment is done.

Your vet will tell you the treatment recommendations for use. Typically it will be in the range of two-to-four 15-minute treatments per day. For acute conditions, like a fracture or post-surgery, you may use it at a higher level for the first week and then taper off treatment. For chronic conditions or degenerative issues, you may continue treatment until there is a significant improvement or possibly indefinitely.  You may be able to taper treatments down in time even if continues for a long period of time. 

What Does My Dog Feel with an  Assissi Loop?
Using the loop can significantly increase tissue oxygenation and blood flow. This reduces pain associated with a lack of sufficient oxygen and improves overall tissue health. As a result, some animals will notice a warming or tingling sensation though it is subtle and many animals won’t notice any differences at all. Some animals will relax as soon as the treatment begins. Others may move away from it initially due to the increased sensation.

It’s possible you may see some mild twitching, particularly in animals with certain long-term degenerative or chronic conditions. This is very rare, and it is caused by the increase in blood flow to the area. If you do see this, contact your vet and they will likely recommend you reduce the duration of the treatment until the twitching subsides and the area is assimilated to the increase in blood flow.  

If you’re concerned, try it on yourself! You can absolutely put it over an area on your own body to see what it feels like before using it on your pet.
 
When Can I Expect to See Results?
Like with so many medical issues, the answer is: it depends. For acute inflammation like post-surgery or trauma, you will likely see a noticeable difference after the first or second treatment. It can take longer, and up to 2 to 4 weeks, for chronic or degenerative issues. Stick with it, though, and you should see results from the long-term healing process.

The Assissi Loop provides a minimum of 150 treatments that are 15 minutes each. Generally, it is covered if you have pet insurance though you will want to check first if that is a concern. 

If you’re looking for ways to help reduce pain and inflammation and to promote healing, an Assissi Loop is an effective, FDA-approved treatment option for your dog. I have been using them for years in my practice with positive results and would be happy to answer any questions. If you’re curious, please ask as we can try it out in the gym!
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How to Deal with Caregiver Fatigue

8/10/2020

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Caregiver fatigue and burnout is a real thing. Ask anyone with a terminally-ill dog or one with a serious health condition, particularly one that affects mobility. The heavy emotional challenge often accompanied by a physical burden can really take a toll on your mental and physical health. 

This isn’t something we like to talk about as it can be an uncomfortable feeling that we can’t always do everything we feel we should for our beloved pet, but it’s something we really need to talk about. This post will help you to identify the signs, understand the causes, and includes some practical tips for dealing with caregiver fatigue.

What is Caregiver Fatigue
First of all, if you are feeling exhausted, frustrated, sore, and isolated while trying to support your beloved dog who is dealing with a significant medical issue, you are not alone. Most of us go through it at one point or another and it’s a really tough time. Not only are our hearts and bodies taking a beating but our minds are as well as we have a tendency to load on guilt when we’re in this situation. We feel guilty for what we can’t do or perhaps that we feel we may not be doing enough.

It’s no different from caregiver fatigue when caring for our human loved ones. When the symptoms aren’t managed, caregiver fatigue becomes caregiver burnout: a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion.
 
What Causes It?
Caregiver fatigue and burnout are typically reported with extreme fatigue, stress, anxiety, hopelessness, and sometimes depression. The caregivers are often so busy caring for their loved ones that they often neglect their own health and it takes a toll. 

Here are some causes of caregiver fatigue and burnout:

  • Lack of control — Unfortunately, we’re not always able to control the medical situation of our dog. That may be due to a deteriorating condition and aging, or it may be a financial challenge to provide care. It may be a lack of time or not having the right skills to manage the situation. 
 
  • Unrealistic demands — Sometimes we take on too much responsibility that could possibly be shared with other family members. Other times, this burden is placed on us. Additionally, we sometimes place unrealistic burdens on ourselves as to what we can actually do. 
 
  • Unreasonable expectations — Sadly, no matter how much we may be willing and able to do, we simply can’t stave off the inevitable. We hope to have a positive effect on our dog’s health and happiness but that’s not always possible. It can feel very personal when this happens when we are giving so much. 

What often happens when people suffer from caregiver fatigue is that they lose the ability to assess their own situation as they are so focused on who they are caring for. This leads to burnout and eventually to an inability to function effectively. Though this is understandable, it does no one any good, particularly the patient.

How to Know if You Have Caregiver Fatigue?
The symptoms of caregiver fatigue are often similar to those for stress and depression. They may include:

  • Exhaustion, both emotional and physical
  • Loss of interest in activities the person used to enjoy
  • Irritability, hopelessness, and helplessness
  • Changes in weight, appetite, or both
  • Isolation and withdrawal from loved ones and socializing
  • Increased illness or possibly physical injuries
  • Changes in sleeping, either too much or too little

As fatigue evolves into burnout, the severity of symptoms may increase and more serious symptoms may evolve like feelings of self-harm or aggression. 

Tips for Managing Caregiver Fatigue
Though it may not feel like it sometimes, there are a lot of things you can do to manage caregiver fatigue and to try to keep it from progressing.

Talk to Someone
Find a person you trust that you can share your feelings with. It may be a family member, a friend, or a coworker. Whomever it is, just make sure you can have an open and supportive dialogue. Sometimes just sharing your feelings will help you feel better. 

Consult with a Vet
If you’re feeling burned out by caring for your dog, talk with me or your primary care vet about it. We understand what you’re going through and maybe there are changes you can make or something we can recommend to help you manage the situation better. For example, if you’re having to carry your dog around on bad days, maybe a cart would help ease your back while still helping your dog. It’s important to educate yourself to be sure you understand what to expect and talking with your vet is a great way to do that.

Set Realistic Expectations
Fear of the unknown, or even an unpleasant future, can weigh heavily on you. However, it’s important for you to prepare yourself for what the future may bring. Make sure when you talk with your vet, you get a clear picture so you can set your expectations accordingly. You don’t want to set yourself up for failure by expecting that your assistance will cause dramatic improvement if that isn’t possible.

Ask for Help
You may feel you need to do it all for one reason or another, but that’s not entirely true. It’s important to ask for help when you need it. Maybe it’s a family member or a friend or perhaps it’s paying for a temporary caregiver to help. Know your limits and be honest with yourself.

Take a Break
We all need to get away sometimes and it’s especially important when you’re feeling burned out. See if someone can care for your dog for a couple of days. Or check with your primary vet. Vet techs often offer pet-sitting services and they have medical experience, are familiar with your dog’s issue, and your vet’s cell number!

Take Care of Yourself, Too
Your focus may be on your dog and that’s understandable, but you need some “me time” too. This includes mental, emotional, and physical self-care. Take time to go for a walk or to the gym. Get a massage if your back is hurting or take a hot bath. Do some things you enjoy too so it’s not all about your dog, at least for a little while. And make sure to get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat well. Make sure to fill your own cup first. Especially when you are taking care of two, it’s important.

Talk with a Professional When You Need
Sometimes we need a little extra help from a professional. That may be a therapist, social worker, or even a clergy member that is trained to counsel people dealing with similar issues. You can also look for groups, either in-person or online, that may be able to provide you with some support when you need it.

Above all, be kind to yourself and accept how you are feeling. This can be a really tough time emotionally and it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to feel negative, frustrated, overwhelmed, or angry. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad person or that you’re doing a bad job caring for your dog. 

Taking care of your dog when they are injured or unwell is hard work! It’s tough enough when it’s short-term but when longer-term care is required, it can be really challenging. Try to be positive but realistic as well, and make sure you make it onto your list for care. After all, we can care for others better when we are taking care of ourselves, first. Don’t wait until you are completely burned out and above all, make sure to communicate and ask for help when you need it.
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Does My Dog Need Hydrotherapy?

7/19/2020

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Hydrotherapy, or aquatic therapy, has become a popular therapeutic treatment option for dogs and in fact, it is one of the best known. Many people haven’t heard of canine physical rehabilitation, yet they know about hydrotherapy. Owners sometimes believe it’s the most effective option, or the only option, as that’s all they have heard of. In fact, rehab can be done effectively without hydrotherapy for most medical conditions. Here is what you need to know about hydrotherapy for your dog.

What is Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy is essentially water therapy, the therapeutic use of water to improve health. For dogs, it usually consists of walking in the water or swimming. This could be anything from walking on the beach to swimming in a pool. There are two types used for canine rehab:

Underwater Treadmill
When you hear the word “hydrotherapy,” chances are you think about an underwater treadmill. It is a treadmill, either motorized or manual, that is encased in a glass or plastic chamber. The dog enters the chamber, the door is closed, and the chamber is filled with water until it’s just above the dog’s legs. The treadmill begins to slowly move and your dog will begin to walk. The water serves to provide resistance while taking away the stress of gravity to provide a low-impact workout.

Therapeutic Swimming
Therapeutic swimming, or swim therapy, is exercise using controlled swimming to build muscle and to gain strength. It is a no-impact exercise that eliminates the impact of gravity on the bones and joints. It can be done in a small, special pool designed for its use or even a regular swimming pool if the temperature is comfortable for your dog. Swimming provides a good cardiovascular workout, can help to burn calories, and works the core muscles.

Hydrotherapy isn’t required to be done in a clinical setting. You can take your dog swimming in a pool or body of water, however, you should closely supervise your dog and consider a life jacket designed for dogs. Swimming is hard work and dogs can get very tired. It’s a good idea to talk with a vet before taking your dog swimming to ensure it can be done safely. Dogs with certain medical conditions are not good candidates.

What are the Benefits of Hydrotherapy?
Canine hydrotherapy can be used to treat a wide range of health conditions and injuries due to its low-impact nature. It helps to improve endurance, cardiovascular fitness, range of motion, and general well-being. It helps to relieve pain, rehabilitate joints, increase range of motion, and promote blood circulation. Hydrotherapy is used on many conditions including neurological problems, injuries and post-surgical healing and recovery, weight loss, and others.

Hydrotherapy is effective for many medical conditions to supplement other physical rehab therapies. 

What are the Issues with Hydrotherapy?
Hydrotherapy can be an effective therapeutic treatment, however, it doesn’t work for all dogs. 

Not All Dogs Are Candidates
Dogs with certain medical issues may not be ideal candidates for this kind of therapy including dogs with breathing difficulties, heart disease, or open wounds or sores. If your dog panics in water, they could cause further injury thrashing in the water. Also, at the beginning of treatment, hydrotherapy and in particular, swimming, could be too strenuous an activity for much time.

It Doesn’t Promote Progressive Overloading
To add strength and to generate muscle growth, muscles and tendons have to be gradually loaded with progressive resistance. This is the same in dogs as it is in humans. Think of it like this—when you want to gain strength, do you run on a treadmill or do you lift weights? Sure, we will gain some muscle strength from running on a treadmill, but we gain more muscle and overall fitness by lifting weights or using our body weight for resistance, and the same goes for your dog. They may gain some strength initially, but will likely plateau.
 
Promotes the Progression of an Abnormal Gait
If your dog has an abnormal gait, the use of an underwater treadmill will continue the progression. It makes sense to first perform an assessment to determine the cause of the abnormal gait and address those issues first before considering the use of an underwater treadmill. 

Doesn’t Target Specific Muscles
Though hydrotherapy is effective for strengthening, it can’t target specific individual muscles to reduce inflammation or pain or for strengthening. 

Lucky for you, your rehab vet has a lot of tools in their arsenal to help dogs return to full function after an injury, improve fitness, and manage long-term medical conditions. There are many different treatments available with canine physical rehab. 

So, back to the original question: does my dog need hydrotherapy? While many owners have an expectation that a rehabilitation practice will offer hydrotherapy, and by that, they generally mean an underwater treadmill, it may not be necessary for your dog. The answer is that while it may sometimes be beneficial, it is generally not required and certainly is not the only therapeutic means to provide relief and to promote healing for your dog.
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What Can Canine Rehab Help With?

6/26/2020

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Canine physical rehabilitation helps dogs by diagnosing and managing functionality-limiting conditions. This can include recovery from surgery, an injury, a mobility issue from an underlying health condition, or old age. The ultimate goal of canine rehab is to help your dog achieve the best quality of life with the highest function possible while managing pain. This post will delve into the issues and conditions canine rehab can help.

How to Know When Your Dog Can Benefit from Physical Rehab
Canine rehab can be a really effective way to improve your dog’s quality of life. Just like with physical rehab in humans, Many of the same principles and treatments used for physical rehab in humans are used in dogs as well. There are a number of medical conditions and issues that it can help with and the best way to know for sure is to consult with a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT). 

A CCRT has the education and knowledge to most effectively and safely help your dog.  Though all vets learn about the musculoskeletal system, a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist receives additional training specializing in canine rehab. Your primary vet may refer you to one. However, even if they don’t, you can go to a canine rehabilitation vet on your own and they will keep your vet apprised of all treatment. 

What Conditions Can Physical Rehab Help My Dog
There are a number of issues and conditions dogs can have which physical rehab can help with to increase mobility, improve quality of life, and decrease pain. This is an extensive list, however, it is by no means every single condition that canine rehab can help with. If you have any questions if it could help your dog, please ask.

Post-Surgery
After a surgical procedure, physical rehab can be very beneficial to your dog. Rest and controlled activity are important initially. However, the longer their body is inactive, the more muscle atrophy will occur. It’s a careful balance that a trained rehabilitation vet can guide you through with an evaluation, in-office work, and a structured homework program. Incorporating rehab into the healing process safely promotes a faster return-to-health for your dog.

Canine rehab can help reduce inflammation and pain, strengthen supporting tissue, promote early weight-bearing, improve coordination and balance, and decrease compensatory muscles. It can also provide much-needed mental stimulation for dogs that are on restricted activity. 

Some of the common surgeries that will benefit from rehabilitation:

  • FHO (Femoral head and neck ostectomy in the hip)
  • Total hip replacement
  • Amputation
  • Cruciate repair (knee) including TPLO, Extracapsular cruciate repair, or TTA cruciate repair
  • Luxating patella repair
  • Fracture repair
  • Limb deformity/angulation surgery
  • Tendon release procedures
  • Joint arthrodesis/fusion
  • OCD surgery (osteochondritis dissecans)
  • Ventral slot fenestration decompression surgery

There are other surgeries that may benefit from physical rehabilitation so it’s a good idea to ask.

Injury
Post-surgical dogs are not the only ones that benefit from physical rehab. It can also be used to promote healing for injuries and may help your dog avoid surgery. Here are some of the common injuries that may benefit:

  • Cruciate injury/ACL tear (knee) — decrease inflammation, restore extension, speed and improve recovery, and reduce the risk of injury to the other leg
  • Joint dislocation — strengthen the supporting muscles and ligaments to prevent re-injury
  • Patellar luxation — strengthen the quadricep muscles and prevent re-injury
  • Tendon injury — decrease inflammation and scar tissue while increasing range of motion and strength
  • Fractures — prevent muscle contracture and speed up recovery
  • Muscle injuries — decrease inflammation, prevent scarring, speed healing, and restore normal function
  • Nerve injuries — speed recovery, manage pain, and improve functional adaptation
  • Back injury (IVDD) — manage pain, increase muscle support to prevent re-injury, and provide gait retraining to help return-to-walking

Health Issues
There are a number of different health issues that can also benefit from canine physical rehabilitation including arthritis, which typically impacts older dogs. Obese dogs can also benefit from a physical rehabilitation program.

  • Hip dysplasia — increase comfort and mobility, build supporting muscle mass
  • Elbow dysplasia — decrease inflammation, strengthen, and increase mobility
  • Degenerative myelopathy (DM) — slow the progression of the disease and prolong life by maintaining muscle function
  • Cauda equina syndrome (CES)— manage pain while maintaining strength and function
  • Neuromuscular disease — manage pain, strengthening, adaptation 
  • Obesity — create an individualized weight loss program
  • Arthritis — decrease inflammation and the need for medications, increase mobility and range of motion

Canine physical rehabilitation can improve the quality of life for your dog. It is beneficial while they heal from surgery or an injury and can help to manage a mobility issue or many other health conditions, even including arthritis and obesity. For dog lovers, this is huge. After all, what wouldn’t we do for our best friend?

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Should You Consider Canine Rehabilitation for Your Dog?

5/24/2020

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There are a lot of different ways we can help our dogs live better lives. It’s sometimes hard to know which will be most effective for our dog’s specific situation. If your dog is recovering from an injury or surgery, or has a mobility issue from an underlying health condition or simply old age, canine rehabilitation may be helpful. Read more to learn about canine physical rehabilitation and how it may help your dog to live an improved quality of life.

What is Canine Rehabilitation?
According to the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians, canine physical rehab is “the diagnosis and management of patients with painful or functionally-limiting conditions, particularly those with injury or illness related to the neurological and musculoskeletal systems.” Essentially, if your dog is having mobility issues and/or pain, they may benefit from physical rehab. This practice adapts physical therapy techniques used on humans to improve the function and mobility of joints and muscles.

The goal of physical rehab is to achieve the best quality of life with the highest level of function and independence possible while decreasing pain. It can assist with recovery from surgery, injury, age-related diseases, degenerative diseases, and obesity.

Rebuild
Within two weeks of an injury, the body loses strength and conditioning. Physical rehab works to rebuild this loss of strength, much like a human physical therapist does, through a variety of techniques and treatments. Pain management is an essential part of this process.

Retrain
The body compensates for weak, injured, and diseased areas, leading to abnormal function and increasing the risk for re-injury or a new injury. Physical rehab retrains nerves and muscles to move as designed, enabling your dog to function better and decreasing the risk of further injury.

Renew
Improve your dog’s quality of life by addressing issues from aging, injury, and disease. By improving flexibility, strength, and balance, your dog can gain function, independence, and happiness.

Why You Should Choose a Vet with Rehab Training
All vets learn about the mechanics of a dog’s body, including the musculoskeletal system. The Canine Rehabilitation Institute provides additional training for veterinary professionals worldwide for canine rehabilitation. Their certification, Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT), provides the standard for initial and ongoing continuing education. With this certification, you know your vet has the training required to safely and effectively help your dog.

With this advanced training in mobility-specific issues including managing and preventing them, CCRTs have advanced knowledge in pain management, strengthening and conditioning, stretching and flexibility, the use of assistive devices, and maximizing your dog’s physical potential. With this training, vets can evaluate dogs from a functional standpoint, looking at the specific areas as well as the whole to provide the best treatment for your dog.

Treatments and Therapies
There are many different modalities and treatment methods rehab vets use. Here are some of the most common:
  •  Therapeutic exercises — Your dog is guided through exercises in the gym and will get a home-exercise program including many of the same activities. They sometimes utilize specialized equipment to focus on strength and balance.
  • Thermotherapy — The use or heat or cold to promote healing, reduce inflammation, and increase tissue elasticity.
  • Therapeutic massage — Increase circulation to improve healing, reduce swelling, enhance relaxation, and decrease pain.
  • Manual therapy — Hands-on therapies including muscle trigger point release, traction, myofascial release, and joint mobilizations.
  • Balance and proprioception retraining — Improving core strength and body awareness using a variety of exercises and techniques to reduce the risk of injury and build the necessary proper conditioning for the rest of the body.
  • Cold-laser therapy — The use of low-level laser light to relieve arthritis symptoms, decrease muscle and joint pain, relax muscle spasms, and increase blood flow for healing.
  • Neuromuscular electrical stimulation — Stimulate muscle tissue to contract with the use of an electrical current.
  • Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy — Reduce soreness from injury or arthritis or stimulate healing through the use of electromagnetic energy. 
  • Orthotics and prosthetics — Some dogs may benefit from items like custom-fitted splints, carts, braces, or artificial limbs. rehab can focus on retraining movement with their use.
  • Hydrotherapy — Use of an underwater treadmill or swimming pool therapies that provide buoyancy and water resistance in a controlled environment.

These treatments may be used independently or in conjunction with each other under the guidance of a trained rehab vet. There are other treatments available and your rehab vet will determine a treatment plan that is customized to your dog’s specific needs.

Canine rehabilitation can be a helpful and effective way to improve your dog’s quality of life. Many of the principles and treatments that are used in humans are equally effective in dogs. It makes sense, and it can be a great way to help our best friend to live their best life possible.

If you’d like to learn more about rehab to see if it might be beneficial for your dog, please contact me at drsonnet@azcaninerehab.com. I’m here to help.
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Pet Insurance

4/14/2020

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What is the Benefit of Pet Insurance for Rehab?

Medical costs can add up quickly for your beloved pet. When you consider that the cost to treat cancer can run over $5,000 and the cost to repair a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL, called an ACL in humans) is generally in the range of $3,000 to $5,000, caring for your dog can be a heavy financial burden. We want to give them their best lives possible and to avoid making treatment decisions based on cost alone. Pet insurance can help, but there are a lot of options available and it’s hard to know if it’s worth it. Here is some information about pet insurance and rehab coverage to help you decide what’s right for you and your pets.

What is Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance is a healthcare policy for your pet that will reimburse you for certain medical expenses. It’s designed to protect you against the risk of paying high fees for medical care, or even worse, to have to make medical decisions or even to have to put your dog down because you can’t afford care. It is a way to save on veterinary costs when your pet gets sick or is injured.

There are more than 77 million dogs owned in the United States, and in fact, close to around 70% of homes have a dog or cat. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 2.16 million pets are insured in the United States. Vet care is the largest expenditure for our companion animals, and owners spend around $15.25 billion every year on their pets.

Most pet insurance is paid on a monthly basis, and the average premium is $47 a month or $566 a year for a dog. Each plan is different and some exclude medical conditions like hip dysplasia or have a schedule limiting the amount it will pay for certain conditions, so it’s important to read through the policy before you buy.

Most policies require paying a small portion of the total and the insurance company picks up the balance, up to the approved amount or percentage of the bill. However, unlike human health insurance, it is a reimbursement, so you do have to pay out-of-pocket first, then you file a claim with the insurance company to be reimbursed.

What Pet Insurance Covers and Doesn’t Cover

Just like with human health insurance, pet insurance doesn’t cover everything. Though each insurance company may vary, most pet insurance policies cover medical injury and illness claims to a specified percentage or amount. Some cap the total amount they pay and others have a schedule for certain conditions or treatments. Others offer a percentage of reimbursement to a specified level.

Here are some common things that pet insurance policies generally do not cover:

1.     Pre-existing conditions — If your pet had a health issue prior to your purchasing the insurance plan, this condition is generally not covered. In some cases, if a dog has a previously-cured condition and remains symptom-free for a period of time, some insurance companies may cover.

2.     Elective procedures — Things like claw removal, tail docking, and ear cropping are typically ineligible for coverage unless they are deemed to be medically necessary by your vet.

3.     Wellness care — Most pet insurance does not cover for routine medical care such as dental cleanings, spaying and neutering, vaccines, and flea and tick prevention. Some companies do offer preventive medical plans so make sure to ask if that is of interest.

4.     Liability coverage — Pet Insurance policies don’t cover the cost of damage your pet may do to property or to a person.

Before purchasing a pet medical insurance policy, be sure to read the details of the policy that explain what is covered and what is not to be sure the policy meets your needs.

Pet Insurance and Rehab

Canine physical rehab expenses are paid up-front just like with any other vet costs. For those with pet insurance, many pet insurance policies do cover canine rehab expenses. The rehab vet provides an invoice for the expense with all of the information that is needed for submission to the insurance company.

Just like with any other vet expenses, there are differences in coverage between insurance companies, and sometimes even between policies with the same company, so you need to check yours to see what coverage is provided. The American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians (AARV) published a summary of coverage for canine rehab costs across many different insurance companies that may be helpful but again, you need to check your individual policy carefully to determine your specific coverage. This summary may be especially helpful if you don’t currently have coverage to help you narrow down options.

Is Pet Insurance Worth it?

Ultimately, only you can decide if pet insurance is right for your situation. Consider the cost of the insurance along with the potential vet expenses for various issues. You may find you pay a lot up-front when your dog is younger and may not need coverage, however, as your dog ages, expenses tend to go up and having this financial protection can be beneficial.

Pet insurance can be a great way to help with the cost of veterinary care for your dog. There is a wide range of coverages so be sure to read the fine print thoroughly before making any decisions. You may also find that your employer offers a group pet insurance policy as an ancillary benefit in your employment package so check if that’s available.

Pet insurance can be a helpful way to budget for anticipated costs and a good way to provide the best care to your best friend. If you do have pet insurance, just let me know and I’m happy to provide you with the necessary documentation to file your claim.
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