Why Early Intervention with Physical Therapy Matters for Pets

In almost all fields of healthcare, early intervention is hugely important. This is as true for animals as it is for humans. As soon as you notice your pet acting differently or they undergo an injury or surgery that will require recovery, seeking treatment immediately is one of the most impactful things you can do to protect your pet’s health and quality of life in the long run.

When it comes to catching hidden illnesses or injuries like fractured bones or cancers, the importance of early intervention is very clear. When it comes to physical therapy for animals, however, the short and long term benefits are more subtle, but no less important. Seeking out physical therapy for your furry friend early in their healing process can be one of the biggest things you do for them! Here are some of the many ways that early intervention physical therapy can transform the life of your dog or cat.

Faster Healing

When your pet undergoes a surgery or suffers an injury, the first priority of both their veterinary care team and you as an owner is to get them healed and feeling like themselves again as fast as possible! Starting physical therapy as early as you can is one of the best ways to ensure a quick healing process for your pet.

While you may think of physical therapy of something to be begun healing in order to avoid exacerbating a problem or worsening an injury, with the help of a trained professional, the activity of physical therapy is not only most impactful in the early stages of healing– it can help the healing process along, shortening recovery times and getting your pet on the mend more quickly and smoothly. By reducing swelling and inflammation and increasing circulation, physical therapy gives a boost to the healing systems built into an animal’s body, helping to shorten the recovery period overall and improve its outcome.

Increased Strength and Mobility

If you’ve ever sprained an ankle or suffered an injury yourself, you know the impact it can have on your physical capabilities. Even minor accidents can sap your strength, flexibility, and range of motion for years after the fact, and the same is true for your pet. However, addressing injuries and other ailments early on with physical therapy can be the key to minimizing that problem for your beloved companion.

Physical therapy, especially when it’s begun early in the healing process, can be a powerful way to help your dog or cat maintain their capabilities. As a treatment, it addresses the weakness and stiffness of an injury or surgery, helping to build muscle tone, improve flexibility and mobility, train balance and coordination, and keep an animal moving the way they should as they heal!

Pain Reduction

We love our pets, and nothing feels worse than to see them in pain. Most pet owners would do anything to take the pain and discomfort away from their animals if they could, and starting your pet in early intervention physical therapy is just the way to do that.

Physical therapy does far more than just relieve pain in the moment, although it does help to reduce and alleviate any discomfort your pet may be feeling. It also is a powerful tool when it comes to preventing pain in the future. An injury or surgical procedure is the kind of thing that can linger, creating discomfort and physical limitations for your pet for years to come. By promoting healing and ability retention, physical therapy helps to limit a pet’s future pain, keeping their condition from becoming a chronic source of discomfort and distress.

When you want to help your pet reap the benefits of physical therapy both now and in the future, starting their sessions as soon as possible is the thing they need! Make sure to contact us at Prime Pet Rehabilitation Therapy for more information.