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Physical Activity Expenditure Increases Energy Level
• Physical activity may help maintain or increase mobility.
• Exercise positively impacts the emotional well-being and the body
• Moderate, regular exercise is advocated in virtually all veterinary weight-management programs
• Roudebush P, Schoenherr WD, Delaney SJ. An evidence-based review of the use of therapeutic foods, owner education, exercise, and drugs for the management of obese and overweight pets. JAVMA, 233(5), September 1, 2008 pg 717-725.

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Evidence
Villareal DT, Chode S, Parmi N, et al. Weight loss, exercise, or both and physical function in obese older adults. Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey 2011; 66(8): 488-489
Herrera Uribe j, Vitiger AD, Ritz C, et al. Physical Training and weight loss in dogs lead to transcriptional changes in genes involved in the glucose transport pathway in muscle and adipose tissues. Veterinary Journal, 2016, 208: 22-27

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Purposes of Exercise
Playing
Training for a specific working or sporting activity
Releasing energy
Maintaining fitness
Losing weight
Decreasing the impact of a disease
Enhancing recovery after an injury
Campbell S. Pharmacotherapy for Management of Canine Obesity. Practical Weight Management in Dogs and Cats. Towell TL, ed. Wiley Blackwell. Ames, IA. 2011, pgs 266-307

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What Happens?
•Team members should always make sure that the patient is not experiencing any pain, as rehabilitation therapy will not proceed very far if pain is an issue.
•A pain-free patient is much more cooperative and willing to work.

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What Happens?
-The pet will be brought to the rehabilitation practice and should undergo a formalized physical exercise program.
- A complete understanding that the pet will initially not be able to tolerate strenuous activity should be explained to the client, and that tolerance to exercise increases as the patient progresses.

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Physical Activity Benefits
Preservation of lean muscle mass – prevents loss
Increased caloric expenditure
Promotion of behaviors that aid in sustainable weight loss
Snel M, Gastaldelli A, Ouwens DM, et al. 2012. Effects of adding exercise to a 16-week very low-calorie diet in obese, insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. J Clin Endocrinol Metab; 97(7): 2512–20.

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Rules for Canine Therapeutic Exercise Programs
• Start in patient’s comfort zone
• Gradually increase intensity
• Have goals!
• When goal is met make it more challenging or increase repetitions. Example 10 repetitions – start with 2-3 Once met increase another set of repetitions or make exercise more difficult (add weights)

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Strength Work
• 3-5 times per week
• Motivation must be maintained
• Overtraining can quickly lead to a loss of motivation

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Weights for Dogs

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Weight Training for Dogs
• Greater strengthening may be achieved by placement of a leg weight while doing shake hands exercises.

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Resistance Bands
• Resistance to limbs during exercise
• Increase muscle strengthening
• Target specific muscle groups such as the medial glenohumeral structures.

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Resistance with Therabands®
• Resistance bands may be attached to a limb while walking on an underwater treadmill. The therapist pulls on the band in the direction opposite of the muscle group in which strengthening is desired.

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Weights for Cats

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Owners and Their Dogs
• Some owner/handlers will insist on working their dogs every day despite clear instructions.
• For this group, exercises focusing upon the forelimb can be performed one day, the trunk the next day, and the pelvic limb the next day. This “split training” helps to avoid overtraining and gives the muscles time to recover

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