Frequently Asked Questions

What is Animal Physical Therapy?

Animal physical therapy or rehabilitation can make a difference in the lives of all animals. Physical therapy treats animals with dysfunction, injury, pain or physical abnormalities through the application of physics, biomechanics, anatomy, physiology, and psychology. Treatment techniques include modalities (ice, heat, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound), joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization and massage, therapeutic exercise, aquatic therapy, acupressure, and much more.

How can I determine if my pet needs physical therapy?

Many animals can benefit from the services of physical therapy. In the human world of health care, we receive physical therapy after an injury or surgery, for any type of pain or dysfunction. We also receive treatment after neurological injuries (such as a stroke), for fractures, sprains or strains, for the treatment of wounds, athletic injuries, arthritic conditions (Lyme Disease) and the effects of aging (osteoarthritis).

Animals can receive physical therapy for all of the above. Too often, our pets do not receive physical therapy and this may prevent them from returning to a full recovery.

Some of the diagnoses commonly treated with physical therapy:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Spinal conditions
• Post surgical conditions - orthopedic and neurological
• ACL or CCL injuries
• Muscle Strains/Pulls
• Arthritis
• Degenerative Myelopathy
• Athletic Injuries
• Sore joints
• Fibrocartilagenous Emboli
• Post fracture management
• Trauma
• Disc conditions

And many more - please contact us with any questions on your dog's condition.

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What is the cost?

Cost varies according to the injury and location of treatment. Generally, initial evaluations cost between $75.00 and $125.00. The initial evaluation includes the evaluation, treatment and a set up on a home exercise program. Subsequent treatments range in time from 30 to 75 minutes and vary between $35.00 and $100.00 depending upon the nature of the treatment. Payment options and packages are available. (i.e. 10 visits for a reduced fee)

Once your dog is on his way to doing better, we offer regular exercise sessions in the underwater treadmill.  Prices for one to thirty minutes is $35.00 and thirty-one to sixty minutes is $50.00.  This is wonderful for maintaining all of the gains made in rehabilitation.

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How do I get started?

Speak with your veterinarian about physical therapy for your pet. A veterinarian's referral is needed for the evaluation and treatment of your pet. If you are having difficulty speaking with your veterinarian about a referral, please contact us and we can contact your veterinarian for you.

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Can I get started at home?

Until the initial evaluation, the most important thing you can do at home for your pet is to become cognizant of all of the limitations and problems your pet may be having. For example, is your dog presenting with stiffness in the morning or after exercise? Also, it will be important for you and the physical therapist to set up reasonable goals for your pet. For example, it is very reasonable to set a goal to return a 2 year old yellow Labrador retriever to walking 5 miles a day. However, this may not be reasonable for a 13 year old Labrador retriever.

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How long will it take until I notice improvement?

Depending upon the diagnosis and condition of your pet, improvements may be seen with one session or it may take 3 or 4 sessions. Dogs with arthritis usually demonstrate small improvements immediately and larger improvements in a few weeks. Younger dogs may also demonstrate immediate improvements.

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Can all animals benefit from physical therapy? 

Most animals (dogs, cats, horses to name a few) can benefit from physical therapy. Realistically, there are many conditions that physical therapy cannot cure. For example, physical therapy treatments will not cure cancer, arthritis, or progressive neurological diseases. However, it can help improve the quality of life for many animals and it will help them lead longer and more functional lives.

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Can physical therapy help my healthy pet to prevent future injuries?

Physical therapy can certainly play a role in the prevention of injuries. It is critical that owners maintain the musculoskeletal health of their pets and recognize any injuries or problems. Early detection may prevent further problems from occurring.

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Can Healthy Dogs Benefit from Rehabilitation?

Absolutely!  We offer packages for the healthy dog to come in and get regular exercise.  This is especially popular when the weather makes it difficult to exercise regularly -- the cold of the winter or the heat of the summer.  The underwater treadmill is a wonderful cross training tool and is a benefit to any dog's program.  For example, we have performance dogs come in once to twice a week to exercise in the underwater treadmill for thirty to forty-five minute sessions.  We also have dogs that have undergone treatments come back in once or twice a week for underwater treadmill sessions.

All sessions are monitored and the cost is $35.00 for up to thirty minutes and $50.00 for up to sixty minutes. 

Performance dogs, dogs with weight issues, arthritic pets and dogs that have recovered from conditions are perfect candidates for this program!

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What are my options for transporting my dog?

Wizard of Paws provides canine transportation services to and from your veterinary hospital and home for non-ambulatory dogs or if your schedule doesn't allow.

My dog has been prescribed post-operative crate rest. What should I do?

Boarding with prescribed crate rest and other treatments are available at our Southeastern Connecticut facility.