Physical rehabilitation of cats: 1. Common conditions benefiting from physiotherapy

Physical rehabilitation (physiotherapy) involves restoring a patient's movement and function following an injury, illness or trauma. It can be used for acute and chronic conditions and, in some cases, the techniques are used as a preventive treatment. Some therapies can also provide pain relief, which can be especially helpful when analgesic drugs are contraindicated in a patient. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the application of physiotherapy to small animals, and while physical rehabilitation has traditionally been used more commonly for canine than feline patients, as cats can benefit just as much as dogs, this trend is changing. A multidisciplinary team is involved and identifying when a cat is painful and prioritizing therapies accordingly is crucial.

Cats are typically not accustomed to regular handling or restraint and tend to become uninterested and frustrated quickly, which means they are often perceived as poor candidates for physiotherapy referral. As well as a cat's temperament, there are physical factors that may limit or exclude particular therapies; for instance, a cat's level of cardiovascular health. There can also be much variation with the success of different therapies - what works well in one individual might have no effect in another.

This article, the first in a two-part series, discusses the most common painful conditions in cats that can benefit from physical rehabilitation, as well as the importance of prioritizing the type of therapy depending on the individual patient. Part 2 discusses individual therapies and exercises for physical rehabilitation.