Clear the next step
Ask what the current rehabilitation goal is and which movements are still restricted.
Rehabilitation
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation for Dogs with IVDD
Professionally guided rehabilitation may support strength, coordination, comfort and confidence at the right stage of recovery.
Important: Do not begin exercises until your veterinary team confirms they are appropriate.
Before You Start
Rehabilitation must match the diagnosis and stage
1
Veterinary clearance
Confirm when rehabilitation can begin and which movements are permitted.
2
Qualified professional
Use a veterinary physiotherapist or rehabilitation professional experienced with neurological cases.
3
Individual plan
Exercises should reflect pain, surgery status and neurological function.
Tip: Your vet or rehabilitation professional may show you exercises you can safely continue at home. Only do exercises specifically approved for your dog.
Our experience with Loui: We used Battersea in London for part of Loui’s rehabilitation. Services and referral availability can change, so check the provider’s current information directly before making plans.
Possible Approaches
What a rehabilitation plan may include
Controlled movement
Slow supported exercises may be introduced when medically appropriate.
Balance and coordination
Targeted work may support paw placement and body awareness.
Hydrotherapy
Water-based exercise may suit some dogs but is not appropriate at every stage.
Home exercises
Only perform exercises demonstrated specifically for your dog.
Stop and Seek Advice
Signs the plan needs reviewing
More pain
Panting, shaking, crying, guarding or reluctance to move.
Reduced function
More weakness, dragging, knuckling or unusual fatigue.
Skin or wound changes
Redness, swelling, rubbing or changes around a surgical site.
Explore mobility support
See how harnesses, slings, ramps and wheelchairs may fit into a safe care plan.
Progression principle
Move forward because the dog is ready — not because the calendar says so
Watch movement quality
More repetitions are not automatically better. Fatigue, loss of technique, pain or reduced function are reasons to stop and review the plan.
Trust & safety
Exercises should be prescribed for the individual dog
Technique, timing and progression matter. Veterinary clearance and a qualified rehabilitation professional are especially important after surgery or significant neurological injury.
Evidence base
Sources & further reading
Olby et al. (2022) — ACVIM consensus statement
Zidan et al. (2018) — randomised trial of postoperative rehabilitation
Evidence limit: rehabilitation protocols and timing vary between neurological presentations and treatment pathways.