Neurologic Rehabilitation for Dogs/ Cats: How Physiotherapy Helps Recovery

Neurologic patients can be significantly compromised. Depending on severity, they may struggle to move their limbs, stand, reposition themselves, or control urination and defecation. Because of this, rehabilitation extends far beyond exercises alone.

Effective neurologic rehabilitation requires a structured, multi-layered approach that includes:

• Ensure medical stability before review 

• Pain management 

• Physiotherapy exercises 

• Prevention of secondary complications

• Supportive care

• Ongoing monitoring and owner education

  
  

Recovery may take weeks to months, depending on diagnosis, severity, and response to treatment.

1. Comprehensive Assessment

Rehabilitation begins with a thorough assessment.

Read more about our assessment here!

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/1132f4_df18527c8ce841849454132385586325/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Key Outcomes of Assessment

The aim is to determine:

• Neuroanatomic/ Pain localisation

• Functional impairments

• Treatment priorities

• Differential diagnosis

• Prognosis

• Risk of secondary complications (e.g., pressure sores, abrasions)

Clear assessment allows for targeted, measurable rehabilitation rather than generic exercise prescription.

2. Summary of care needs for non-ambulatory versus ambulatory pets

Management differs depending on whether the patient is ambulatory.

For dogs or cats who are non-ambulatory, meaning they are unable to stand or walk independently, the main risks include pressure sores, muscle wasting and bladder complications as, they are unable to reposition themselves effectively.

In contrast, ambulatory dogs or cats — those who can walk with or without neurologic deficits, face different risks, such as scuffing, knuckling, and risk of falls due to reduced balance, strength and coordination. 

Supportive Care Overview

For both groups, the primary goal is to minimise secondary complications related to their mobility status,  while supporting safe movement and progressively improving their overall function. 

3. Restoring Movement and Function

Once medically stable, rehabilitation focuses on restoring mobility, strength, and coordination.

Rehabilitation Interventions and Their Purpose

4. Why Repetition Matters: Neuroplasticity

Neurologic rehabilitation relies on the principle of neuroplasticity, the nervous system’s ability to adapt and reorganise.

Repetitive, task-specific movement helps reinforce neural pathways. Functional exercises such as standing, stepping, and weight shifting promote motor relearning.

While high-level controlled studies in canine stroke rehabilitation are limited, evidence from veterinary spinal cord injury research and human stroke rehabilitation supports structured physiotherapy as a contributor to functional recovery.

5. Core Goals of Neurologic Rehabilitation

Each patient progresses at a different pace. Regular reassessment ensures that treatment evolves alongside recovery.

Key Takeaway

Neurologic rehabilitation is not simply about “doing exercises.” It is a structured, progressive process that integrates medical management, supportive care, and targeted physiotherapy.

With appropriate assessment, monitoring, and owner involvement, meaningful functional gains are possible, even in complex neurologic cases.

References:

Canine Stroke & Recovery Potential

Garosi, L. S. (2010). Cerebrovascular disease in dogs and cats. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 40(1), 65–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2009.09.001

Veterinary Neurologic Rehabilitation

Drum, M. G. (2010). Physical rehabilitation of the canine neurologic patient. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 40(1), 181–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2009.09.009

Sims, C., Waldron, R., & Marcellin-Little, D. J. (2015). Rehabilitation and physical therapy for the neurologic veterinary patient. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 45(1), 123–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2014.09.007

Frank, L. R., & Roynard, P. F. P. (2018). Veterinary neurologic rehabilitation: The rationale for a comprehensive approach. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 33(2), 49–57. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.tcam.2018.04.002

Neuroplasticity, Repetition & Task-Specific Training

Costa, H. R., da Costa, R. C., & Monteiro, B. P. (2022). Approach to small animal neurorehabilitation by locomotor training: An update. Animals, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12020123

Khan, M. (2023). Rehabilitation in animal models of stroke. Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Journal, 26(2), 39–43.

Wang, J., Li, Y., Qi, L., Mamtilahun, M., Liu, C., & Wu, S. (2023). Advanced rehabilitation in ischaemic stroke research. Stroke and Vascular Neurology, 9(4), 328–343. https://doi.org/10.1136/svn-2022-002285

Nursing Care & Supportive Rehabilitation

Olby, N. J. (2014). Nursing care and rehabilitation considerations. In BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Neurology (pp. 394–412). British Small Animal Veterinary Association.

Olby, N. J. (2014). Introduction to neurologic rehabilitation in small animals. In BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Neurology. British Small Animal Veterinary Association.