A haven for pet rehab!

Check out this article written by Daily Breeze Staff Writer Melissa Heckscher in today's Daily News! I wonder if they'd be able to help me with Marcie in her road to recovery...although, according to my vet, she's not feeling any pain. She just needs to get her strength up more.

Anway...I thought I'd type the sidebar to this article that was published in the print edition since I can't find it anywhere online. Here's some useful pet rehab information that was provided to Melissa by Veterinarian Jessica Waldman:

WARM UP: Warm up your pet before strenuous activity. Start with a brisk, 10-minute walk, and cool down for the same amount of time afterward.

LIMIT EXPLOSIVE EXERCISE AND TAKE BREAKS: Any strenuous activity, such as rough play, should be limited to intervals, ideally 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Force your dog to take a break. "A dog in a dog park will push itself beyond what its body can do," said veterinarian Jessica Waldman, founder of California Animal Rehabilitation. "Dogs don't say, 'No, I need a break.'"

BUILD CONTROLLED ENDURANCE: The majority of exercise should be controlled (on a leash, or just no running, jumping or rough play) so that when your pet does strenuous exercise, he is better prepared, similar to how people train for competitions.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERDO IT: Your pet should end a walk at the same pace he begins the walk. If your pet sits down or lags behind on a walk, you are pushing him too far.

SENIOR PETS: As your pet ages, he won't be able to do the same activity he did when he was younger. (Think of a 10-year-old Labrador as a human senior citizen.)

STRETCH YOUR PET: You stretch before and after exercise; why shouldn't your dog? Try these simple stretches after your pet is warm, and after exercise, to prevent injuries:

Shoulder extension: With your pet lying all the way on its side, keep the front leg straight and progress the whole limb forward until the leg reaches your pet's face. Stop progressing the leg when your pet seems uncomfortable or it is tight. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat three times, once a day.

Hip extension: With your pet lying all the way on its side, keep the hind leg straight and progress the whole limb backward, keeping the leg parallel to the ground. Stop and hold at the point your pet seems uncomfortable or it is tight. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat three times, once a day.