Selected Techniques for Physiotherapy in Dogs

Simple Summary Animal physiotherapy is widely addressed in many scientific reports. Although the effectiveness of physiotherapy has been repeatedly proven in both human and animal models, a small percentage of animal keepers decide to implement physiotherapy as part of treatment programs for their pets. After horses, dogs are the second group of animals that are most frequently subjected to physiotherapy treatments. The present study compiles the current knowledge of canine physiotherapy methods. An attempt was made to systematize this knowledge through selection and description of the most important aspects of canine physiotherapy. Most of the physiotherapeutic methods have been transferred from human treatment protocols. A key issue in the achievement of therapy success is the proper selection of physiotherapeutic procedures and close cooperation between the veterinarian and the physiotherapist. Physiotherapy is a new dynamically developing field of science in which the original idea was to improve the care for convalescent patients. Its positive effects observed in humans suggested the need for the adaptation and implementation of human physiotherapy techniques in animal care. Dogs are the second group of animals that undergo physiotherapy most frequently. These animals are diagnosed with a number of locomotor system problems, which may be congenital and are often related to the breed or acquired. The aim of the study was to collect and systematize knowledge of animal physiotherapy with emphasis on the selection and description of the most important aspects of canine physiotherapy. The review material consisted of 59 publications, with 230 selected for the review. Physiotherapeutic treatments are applied not only for rehabilitation of animals but also in healthy animals to upgrade their sports performance and improve their welfare. A majority of physiotherapeutic approaches have been transferred from human protocols. A key issue in the achievement of therapy success is the proper selection of physiotherapeutic procedures and close cooperation between the veterinarian and the physiotherapist.