Ask the Canine Rehabilitation Therapist
Dimitra Kofitsas PT, MDT, CRP, is the owner of Tails of Rye Canine Rehabilitation in Rye, NH. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in Physical Therapy, and is also acknowledged under the University of Tennessee’s Canine Rehabilitation Vet/PT program. She has been practicing PT since 1998.Could physical therapy help my pet? If you have a question about physical therapy for your pet or would like to know how it relates to your pet's condition, health and fitness, you can email your questions to Dimitra and she will post her responses here.
Question: Is it important to have a 1st aid kit for pets and, if so, what should be included?
Answer: It is a good idea to have a 1st aid kit in your car, home and at work. The best time to assemble a kit is now. If you wait for an emergency it could be too late. Some basic items that should be included in your kit:
- Blunt tip scissors to cut hair away from a wound
- Adhesive tape and gauze pads for wounds
- Saline solution for rinsing wounds and Neosporin as an antibiotic ointment
- Instant hot and cold compresses
- Peroxide to induce vomiting if poison is ingested
- Forceps or tweezers
- Buffered aspirin for pain relief (never Advil or Tylenol)
- Pepto Bismol for diarrhea
- Benadryl for allergic reactions
- Traumeel Gel (an effective medication for acute injuries and inflammation of the musculoskeletal system, avoiding at the same time the notoriously serious side-effects of common anti-inflammatory therapies)
- The number for animal poison hotline (800) 548-2423 or (900) 680-0000
The items should be kept in a labeled container in a place where everyone can locate them. These items can prevent a serious situation from getting worse. The items are also useful in situations that aren’t emergencies. We owe it to our pets to be prepared for them in case of emergencies as well.
Question: What signs should I look for in my aging dog concerning arthritis and how can I help?
Answer: Osteoarthritis is a common and progressive disease amongst our aging dogs. It is the wearing away of connective tissue (cartilage) which creates bone on bone friction in joints that overtime will become painful and inflamed.
Some signs to look for are limping, tremors, decreased activity, difficulty getting up, soreness and gait changes.
These symptoms eventually lead to atrophy (wasting of muscles), resulting in decreased energy levels, weakness, difficulty ambulating, being fearful of stairs as well as the development of pain aggression.
These degenerative changes are incurable but with consistent daily activity, your dog can become more comfortable and tolerable.
Options for activity simply include controlled daily walks, massages, or a gentle play of tug of war. One of the most beneficial activities is aquatic therapy, which incorporates warm water, buoyancy and non-impact resistance work. Other alternatives my include acupuncture or chiropractic care.
Whatever your course of action always be in tune to your dog’s physical conditions and overall affect.