Physiotherapy: what are the benefits?

16 September 2022

Perfectly integrated in the recovery of all orthopaedic procedures in humans for decades, physiotherapy – or “kinetics” – is slowly but surely making its way into the veterinary field. What does it involve ? What tools and techniques are used ? And what benefits can be expected from it ?

Improving physical health and mobility

Physiotherapy has 3 main objectives:

Relieve the animal’s pain
Restore satisfactory mobility
Remusculate the affected limb

These objectives are achieved by performing movements, accompanied or not by the therapist, on the floor, on a ball, on a balance plate, or in water. Often the therapist also uses specific equipment during the session, such as ultrasound or an electrostimulation machine.

A wide range of tools and techniques adapted to the needs of your four-legged friend

Massages and stretching: these help to relax the affected muscles and joints. Your therapist will probably guide you in performing these manoeuvres so that you can do them daily at home.

Hydrotherapy: ‘Water therapy’ allows you to re-strengthen and loosen up your joints, without any strain. Ideal for patients suffering from arthritis.

Ultrasound: these waves improve well-being and combat stiffness in the affected joints. This technique is non-invasive and of course painless.

Electrostimulation: with the help of patches and a machine that distributes electric current, this technique makes it possible to remuscitate without support and without movement.

Shock waves: these are very strong and sudden increases in pressure applied in a very precise way. They make the muscles and joints more flexible and improve well-being.

Apart from physiotherapy techniques, osteopathy and acupuncture generally help to relieve patients suffering from osteoarthritis, in addition to the treatments prescribed by your veterinarian. The aim of the former is to use manoeuvres and mobilisations to relieve tension and restore joint, muscle and fascial dysfunctions, with the aim of restoring harmonious mobility. The second is a therapeutic art derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine. Listed as an intangible heritage of humanity since 2010 by UNESCO, acupuncture, based on vital energy, consists of stimulating specific points on the body to relieve or prevent certain disorders.

Bibliography:

Alforme website : Alforme is a rehabilitation centre for pets.

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The importance of diet for skin and coat quality in dogs and cats

The skin is the body's largest organ, representing between 12% and 24% of the animal's weight, and its surface area in a dog weighing around thirty kilograms is close to one square meter. It's hardly surprising, then, that the quality and quantity of the dog's diet can have an impact on this organ, and in the event of a deficiency can lead to problems that go far beyond a simple visual appearance.

Key nutrients for healthy skin and coat

Among the macro-nutrients, proteins play a crucial role. They provide amino acids, including sulphur amino acids, which are essential for the structure of the skin and coat. These are the main components of collagen, which gives the skin its suppleness and resistance, and of keratin, which plays a part in the effectiveness of the skin barrier. Lipids are also important; they make up the bulk of cell membranes and, in the skin, contribute significantly to the effectiveness of the cutaneous barrier. Among lipids, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids help maintain healthy skin, modulate inflammatory mechanisms and promote a shiny, soft coat. Vitamins and minerals are also involved. Vitamin A is necessary for cell renewal, as is vitamin D, which also plays a part in the skin's natural defences. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, while B vitamins and biotin are essential co-factors in the synthesis of various skin elements such as ceramides, keratin and collagen. Among the minerals, zinc is involved in synthesis, protection against free radicals and immune defence mechanisms.

Disorders linked to inadequate nutrition

Inadequate or poor-quality food can lead to skin problems in our pets. A deficiency in essential fatty acids leads to dry, flaky skin, a dull coat and brittle hair. When it's the vitamins and minerals that are in short supply, synthesis is affected, the skin barrier can be less effective and the breeding ground for infections and inflammations that can lead to itching. On the other hand, these nutritional benefits can be used to compensate for individual sensitivities and improve the quality of the skin and coat in the event of dermatological disorders or diseases.

Conclusion

The quality of a dog's skin and the beauty of its coat are directly influenced by the quality of its diet. However, some dogs and cats have increased needs, and it is therefore necessary to provide them with greater quantities of useful nutrients. This is particularly true in the case of certain dermatological disorders, to help compensate for imbalances and accompany the medical treatments prescribed by your vet.