Physical therapy modalities in the rehabilitation of cats (Felis catus) with neurological and orthopedic conditions

Ana Caroline Teixeira Colvero,Alexandre Mazzanti,Mathias Reginatto Wrzesinski,Diego Vilibaldo Beckmann,Júlia Da Silva Rauber,Angel Ripplinger,Dênis Antonio Ferrarin,Marcelo Luís Schwab

doi:10.1590/0103-8478cr20200822

Ana Caroline Teixeira Colvero, Alexandre Mazzanti + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20200822

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Abstract

ABSTRACT: This retrospective study described the therapeutic modalities used for the rehabilitation of cats with neurological and orthopedic diseases and provided data regarding the number of sessions, frequency, and treatment duration; the study also evaluated the modality acceptance by this species. Twenty cats were selected, 11 with neurological diseases and nine with orthopedic conditions. Acute spinal cord trauma and femoral fracture were the most frequently observed neurological (72.7%) and orthopedic (44.4%) conditions, respectively. Manual therapies comprised of passive stretching (PS), passive range of motion (PROM), and bicycle movement (BM) exercises were included in all the protocols.Therapeutic modality acceptance was positive for physical agents, thermotherapy, and hydrotherapy (100%);in manual therapies, it was positive in 40% and partially positive in 60% of cats; in kinesiotherapy, it was positive for all the assisted active exercises and negative for the active exercises. The number of physical therapy sessions significantly influenced the positive acceptance of PS (P < 0.05). The PS, PROM, and BM exercises were the most commonly used modalities; the number of physiotherapy sessions and duration of treatment were higher in cats with neurological diseases, and acceptance was positive in most therapeutic modalities.

Highlights

Physiotherapy aims to assist in the treatment of diseases using physical or mechanical agents
The therapeutic modalities applied on cats between 2005 and 2019 followed protocols according to the diagnosed disease, clinical conditions, surgical technique, and the postoperative period (BOCKSTAHLER et al, 2004; DRUM, 2010; DRUM et al, 2015a; TOYOFUKU & LOPES, 2018)
Of the eight cats affected by neurological diseases involving the spinal cord, six (75%) had suffered acute trauma caused by an automobile accident, one (12.5%) by extrusion of the intervertebral disc, and one (12.5%) due to ischemic myelopathy

Summary

Introduction

Physiotherapy aims to assist in the treatment of diseases using physical or mechanical agents. Cats are not always rehabilitated, especially because of their independent behavior and low tolerance to certain therapeutic modalities (BOCKSTAHLER et al, 2004; TOYOFUKU & LOPES, 2018). Publications on the main neurological and orthopedic diseases in cats, with indications for physiotherapy, are still limited (SHARP, 2012a). This retrospective study described the therapeutic modalities used for the rehabilitation. Data regarding the frequency and total number of sessions, treatment duration, and evaluation of the modalities acceptance were analyzed. Our hypothesis was that the neurological and orthopedic diseases observed in this species can be treated using different therapeutic modalities but with limited acceptance

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