Part 3 – Animal Physiotherapy – Gymnastics to Improve Fitness in Older Animals

Haven’t seen Part 2 yet? Watch it now.

With advances in veterinary medicine and a willingness among owners to invest in their furry friend, the life expectancy of animals is going up. Even an old animal should, of course, enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

Older animals often suffer from chronic issues such as pain, joint issues, muscle tension or general weakness. Animal physiotherapy can help minimise pain and maintain quality of life into old age.

In the video, veterinary doctor Simone Zulauf, a Swiss-qualified vet and animal physiotherapist, shows us three cases: Denali, a 10-year-old Border Collie with chronic hip osteoarthritis, needs a balance between sufficient exercise and mental stimulation, not too much stress, and targeted mobilisation of her hip joint. Shadow, a bitch with a herniated disc, learns to relieve her spine with the help of exercises to stabilise her trunk muscles. In addition, she’s taking pain medication and receiving acupuncture that’s overseen by various specialist vets. Nanouk, a 14-year-old labrador with bilateral osteoarthritis in his elbows, receives manual treatment to mobilise his joints and trains on the underwater treadmill.

The combination of manual therapy, targeted active exercises at home and regular care makes it possible to give older animals a low-pain, active life that’s worth living. At the same time, doing the exercises together strengthens the bond between the animal and its human.

To find out more about animal physiotherapy and to find animal physiotherapists in your area, visit the Swiss Association for Animal Physiotherapy’s website at https://svtpt.ch/de/home