title: Principles and applications of therapeutic exercises for small animals.
abstract: Therapeutic exercises are the cornerstone of the rehabilitation programs of companion animals. Therapeutic exercises are used to improve active joint range of motion, to improve weight bearing and limb use, to build strength and muscle mass, and to increase conditioning (eg, endurance, speed). Each case is unique as chronicity, type of injury, patient signalment and temperament, owner compliance, and level of required functional recovery vary widely. Therapeutic exercises are also essential for partial return to work or performance and to learn to perform activities of daily living after injury or surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, 2407 River Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA.
authors.forename: Marti G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Drum
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, NCSU CVM VHC #2563, 1052 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607-4065, USA. Electronic address: djmarcel@ncsu.edu.
authors.forename: Denis J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Marcellin-Little
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiological Sciences, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, 264 McElroy Hall, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057805:Pets; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000379:methods*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000662:veterinary*; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Balance; Endurance; Proprioception; Strengthening; Therapeutic exercise; Underwater treadmill