Handbook of Canine Exercise Therapy

A step-by-step guide to developing and implementing exercise treatment plans for dogs from a team of board-certified veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation specialists

Handbook of Canine Exercise Therapy is a comprehensive and practical guide to developing exercise treatment plans for canine patients. It provides up-to-date and relevant information to create and implement effective exercise plans, along with specific recommendations for common types of patients.

The book offers well-organized and easily accessible guidance, with illustrative images and video links demonstrating exercises and manual therapy techniques. Handbook of Canine Exercise Therapy provides evidence-based instructions for veterinary practitioners at all experience levels.

Readers will also find:

A thorough introduction to creating a rehabilitation-specific assessment and patient problem list
Quick-reference summaries of common rehabilitation conditions, presented in a streamlined format outlining key exam findings, etiology, and treatment strategies
Comprehensive ways to track patient progress, including limb circumference, gait analysis, goniometry, weight, pain scale, and functional outcomes
Practical discussions of refractory cases and factors that can hinder patient progress
An appendix containing charts of all included exercises, including their specific benefits, and example client handouts
Designed for small animal general practitioners and rehabilitation and sports medicine specialists, Handbook of Canine Exercise Therapy also benefits veterinary students, interns, and residents with an interest in exercise therapy.
Jennifer A. Repac, DVM, DACVSMR, is an Integrative Medicine Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, USA.
Leilani X. Alvarez, DVM, DACVSMR, is the Head of Integrative and Rehabilitative Medicine at the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York, New York, USA.
Kara L. Amstutz, DVM, DACVSMR, is the Owner, CEO and Clinical Instructor for the Canine Rehabilitation Institute and Founder and Medical Director of Momentum Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation in Springfield, Missouri, USA.

Contents:
Copyright Page|i
Dedication|ii
Contents |vii
Contributors|xi
Preface|xiii
Acknowledgments|xv
About the Companion Website|xvii
Introduction|1
What Is Canine Exercise Therapy? |2
Principles of Canine Exercise Therapy|
Benefits of Canine Exercise Therapy|
Common Exercise Therapy Techniques|
Clinical Applications and Evidence|
Conclusion|
References|
1.2 The History of Rehabilitation|4
1.3 Veterinary Rehabilitation Training|6
Certificate Programs|
Advanced (Specialty) Rehabilitation Training Programs|
Reference|
Part I: Patient Assessment|
Rehabilitation Examination|
Introduction |
History|
Patient Evaluation|
Body Scan|
Spinal Assessment|
Special Tests|
Neurological Assessment|
Neurodevelopmental Sequencing Assessment|
Muscle Tone Assessment|
Spinal Reflexes|
Cutaneous Trunci|
Diagnosis Confirmation|
References|
Myofascial Examination|
Characteristics of MTrPs|
Pathophysiology|
Etiology of Myofascial Trigger Points|
The Myofascial Examination|
Clinical Significance|
Myofascial Pain Syndrome Patterns Associated with Mobility Disorders|
Conclusion|
References|
Pain Assessment|
Defining and Measuring Pain|
Challenges in Canine Assessment|
Approach to Pain Assessment|
Objective Gait Analysis|
Subjective Outcome Measures|
References|
Outcome Measures|
Introduction|
Gait and Stance Analysis|
Gait Analysis|
Stance Analysis|
References|
Passive Outcome Measures|
Activity Monitors (Accelerometry) |
Goniometry|
Canine Spasticity Scale|
Infrared Thermography|
Body Condition Score|
Muscle Condition Score|
References|
Functional Outcome Measures|
Introduction|
Strength Testing|
Geriatric Mobility|
Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease|
Neurological Patients|
Conclusion|
References|
Clinical Reasoning|
Interpretation|
Rehabilitation Problem List Creation|
Goal Setting|
References|
Reassessment|
Introduction|
Recheck Assessment Interval|Refractory Cases|
Part II: Plan Implementation|
Exercise Selection and Progression|
Introduction|
Principles of Exercise Selection (Shaw et al. 2020) |
Clinical Signs of Tissue Healing Phases|
Types of Exercise and Order of Progression|
Building a Successful Exercise Program|
Considerations for Neurologic Patients|
References|
Environmental Modifications|
Introduction|
Appropriate Indoor Environment|
Removing Obstacles|
Temperature|
Lighting|
Flooring|
Bedding|
Restrictive Devices|
Devices for Ascent and Descent|
Steps|
Ramps|
Feeders|
Enrichment|
Bathing Facilities|
Toileting Options|
Ideal Outdoor Environment|
References|
Operant Conditioning in Veterinary Rehabilitation|
Introduction|
Operant Conditioning|
Conditioned Reinforcement, Lures, Cues, and Shaping|
Sequence of Events|
Rewards|
Timing|
Intermittent and Continuous Rewards|
Troubleshooting|
Examples of Training Progression|
Reference|
Assistive Devices|
Introduction|
Traction Paw Wear|
Anti‐Knuckling Devices|
Harnesses|
Support Harnesses and Slings|
Assistive Mobility Carts|
Strollers|
Drag Bags|
References|
Workplace Ergonomics|
Introduction|
Scheduling|
Rehabilitation‐Specific Activities: Injury Risks and Solutions|
References|
Part III: Rehabilitation Conditions|
Overview|
How to Follow This Section|
Scoring Systems and Assessment Tools|
Practical Exercise Guidelines|
Guidelines for Sporting and Working Dogs|
Other Considerations|
Manual Therapies|
Reference|
Orthopedic Conditions of the Forelimb|
Carpus|
Anatomy (Beierer 2021; Evans and de Lahunta 2013): |
Traumatic Carpal Hyperextension|
Degenerative Carpal Hyperextension Injury|
Carpal Flexural Deformity (or Carpal Flexural Contracture) |
Angular Limb Deformity of the Carpus|
Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Tendinopathy|
Abductor Pollicis Longus Tenosynovitis|
References|
Elbow|
Elbow Dysplasia|
Rehabilitation Postoperative Ulnar Ostectomy|
Rehabilitation of Elbow Dysplasia: Conservative Therapy|
Prognosis and Outcome|
Pearls and Owner Education|
Traumatic Fracture of the Medial Coronoid Process|
Humeral Intracondylar Fissures|
Elbow Luxation|
Flexor Enthesopathy|
Radioulnar Ischemic Necrosis|
Triceps Avulsion|
References|
Shoulder|
Osteochondrosis/Osteochondritis|
Biceps Brachii and Supraspinatus Tendinopathy|
Infraspinatus Contracture|
Medial Shoulder Syndrome|
Shoulder Luxation|
References|
Orthopedic Conditions of the Hindlimb|
Tarsus|
Anatomy (Figure 12.1.1) |
Common Calcaneal (Achilles) Tendon Injury| |
Tarsal Osteochondritis Dissecans|
Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon Luxation|
References|
Stifle|
Anatomy (Evans and de Lahunta 2013) |
Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease|
Caudal Cruciate Ligament Rupture|
Meniscal Injury|Patellar Luxation|
Anatomy|
Hindlimb Angular Limb Deformity|
Patella/Patellar Tendon Injuries|
Stifle Luxation|
Stifle Osteochondrosis/Osteochondritis Dissecans|
Long Digital Extensor Injury|
Clinical Presentation|
Gastrocnemius Origin Injuries|
Pes Anserinus Injury|
References|
Hip and Pelvic Region|
Hip Joint|
Hip Dysplasia|
Coxofemoral Luxation|
Coxofemoral and Pelvic Fractures|
Sacroiliac Joint Luxation/Sacral Fractures|
Proximal Femur Fractures|
Slipped Capital Femoral Physis|
Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head|
Iliopsoas Tendinopathy|
Hamstrings Myopathy|
References|
Orthopedic Conditions of the Digits|
Distal Limb|
Digital Osteoarthritis|
Digital Fracture/Luxation|
Digital Flexor Muscle/Tendon Injuries|
References|
Neurological Conditions|
General Guidance on Exercise Selection for Neurological Patients|
Compressive Myelopathies|
Chronic Noncompressive Myelopathies|
Peripheral Neuropathies|
References|
Part IV: Patient‐Specific Strategies|
The Osteoarthritic Patient|
Overview|
Epidemiology/Prevalence|
Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis|
Special Considerations for the Arthritic Patient|
Case Examples|
References|
The Geriatric Dog|
Overview|
Exercises to Maintain Activities of Daily Living (See Appendix A.2: Exercise Chart) |
References|
The Canine Athlete|
Overview|
Canine Sports|
Conditioning Principles and Exercise Physiology|
Special Considerations for Developing a Conditioning Plan|
General Athletic Conditioning Guidelines|
Return‐to‐Sport Case|
The Working Canine Athlete|
Overview|
Advanced Fitness|
Return‐to‐Work Case Examples|
Glossary of Terms|
References|
The Developing Dog|
Overview|
Case Examples|
References|
The Veterinary Orthotic and Prosthetic Patient
Overview
Prosthetic Devices in Veterinary Medicine
General Requirements and Restrictions for Prosthesis Use
Clinical Approach to the Prosthesis Patient
Tailoring an Exercise Plan for the Prosthetic Limb Patient
Orthotic Devices
References
The Critical Patient
Overview
Respiratory Rate, Blood Oxygen Saturation, Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide
Temperature
When to Initiate or Terminate Therapy
Case Examples
References
The Overweight Patient
Overview
Obesity – Prevalence and Epidemiology
Body Condition Scoring
Weight Loss Education
Physiology/Pathophysiology of Obesity
Special Considerations for the Rehabilitation Patient
Special Considerations for the Obese Rehabilitation Patient
Nutrient Profile: Over‐the‐Counter Versus Prescription Veterinary Foods
References
Part V: Appendix
Appendix 1: Key Muscles in Functional Movement
Muscles of the Neck and Thoracic Limb
Muscles of the Trunk and Pelvis
Muscles of the Pelvic Limb
References
Appendix 2: Exercises
General Comments
General Equipment
Exercises Categorized by Joint Range of Motion Enhancement
References
Appendix 3: Manual Therapies
Joint Mobilization Grades
Directionality of Mobilizations
Joint Traction
Applications of Joint Traction
Grading of Joint Traction
Soft Tissue Mobilization (Massage) Techniques
References
Appendix 4: Passive Therapies
Appendix 5: Neurological Techniques
Appendix 6: Client Handouts
Appendix 7: Example Exam Forms
Example 1 (Private Practice)
Example 2 (Private Practice)
Example 3 (Nonprofit Practice)
Example 4 (Academic Institution)
Index