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Rehabilitation of the Cat

  • Title: Rehabilitation of the Cat
  • Description:
    Feline Orthopedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Disease (First Edition), 2009, Chapter 21, pp 221-235.
    Author:  S. Hudson
  • Category: Surgery

  • Abstract / Overview:

  • The field of feline rehabilitation has been slow to take hold due to the perceived idea that the cat will not cooperate with the physical therapy modalities or perform therapeutic exercises. However, physical rehabilitation is a very effective modality in cats, provided that feline behavior and personality are taken into account.  Specific orthopedic conditions that benefit from physical therapy include postoperative fracture repair, postoperative joint repair, and osteoarthritis management.

     

     

    Chapter Outline

    • 21.1. Principles of rehabilitation
    • 21.2. Four target areas of rehabilitation
      • 21.2.1. Strength
      • 21.2.2. Endurance
      • 21.2.3. Range of motion
      • 21.2.4. Proprioception
    • 21.3. Passive and active rehabilitation
      • 21.3.1. Passive rehabilitation
        • Thermal agents
          • Application of cold therapy. 
          • Application of heat therapy. 
        • Electrical stimulation
          • Electrical stimulation for pain management. 
          • Electrical stimulation for attenuation of muscle atrophy. 
        • Therapeutic ultrasound
        • Massage
        • Passive range of motion
        • Phototherapy
      • 21.3.2. Active rehabilitation
        • Aquatic therapy
        • Exercise therapy
        • Gait training
    • 21.4. The rehabilitation program
    • 21.5. How do you know you have reached a goal?
          • Muscle mass. 
          • Body composition. 
          • Visual analog scale. 
        • Gait analysis
    • 21.6. Examples of exercises
      • 21.6.1. Passive range of motion
        • General instruction
        • Carpus
        • Elbow
        • Shoulder
        • Stifle and hock
        • Hip
      • 21.6.2. Early proprioception exercises
        • Physioroll
        • Standing resistance
        • Balance board
      • 21.6.3. Early weight-bearing exercises
        • One-leg standing
        • Cross-leg standing
        • Carts
      • 21.6.4. Examples of front-limb exercises
        • Wheelbarrow
        • Down to sit
        • Physioroll or physioball
        • Trail of treats
        • Decline and tunnel
      • 21.6.5. Examples of hindlimb exercises
        • Dancing
        • Sit to stand
        • Incline
      • 21.6.6. Gait-training exercises
        • Limb rehabilitation program (Table 21-2)
        • Back rehabilitation program (Table 21-3)
        • Obesity program (Table 21-4)
    • References and further reading