Rehabilitation and recovery times for canine patients post hemilaminectomy

Katherine Vine
Monday, November 2, 2020

The recovery of ambulation is a crucial part of the recovery process for canine patients with intervertebral disc disease undergoing a hemilaminectomy. Although ambulation is accomplished in most cases, many are left with deficits in strength and coordination. Human medicine suggests that postoperative rehabilitation improves patient outcomes; it is therefore useful to examine whether the same would be true for canine patients. Additionally, as veterinary nurses it is important to understand why certain rehabilitative procedures are being performed for spinal patients, and whether those procedures actually help the patient to recover.

Figure 1. A patient receiving hydrotherapy. The jacket worn by the patient is a swimming harness, that allows the handler to control the dog while they are in the water. It can also be used to add resistance, by slowing the dog down meaning they have to work harder. In this picture the handler is holding the caudal part of the handle slightly to add to the resistance. Picture courtesy of Miss L. Hammond Neurology RVN at the QMHA.
Figure 1. A patient receiving hydrotherapy. The jacket worn by the patient is a swimming harness, that allows the handler to control the dog while they are in the water. It can also be used to add resistance, by slowing the dog down meaning they have to work harder. In this picture the handler is holding the caudal part of the handle slightly to add to the resistance. Picture courtesy of Miss L. Hammond Neurology RVN at the QMHA.

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