Physioballs / IVG Hospitals

Physioballs

This service is available at:
Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital
Port City Veterinary Referral Hospital

How do you use physioballs when working with patients?
Physioballs provide a highly mobile surface upon which to stand as well as a flexible surface requring balance.

Physioballs allow us to challenge our patients (especially neurological patients) with an unstable surface and a non compliant surface (sand is also a non compliant surface). Depending upon the condition a dog or cat who cannot stand may be placed on its own over a peanut shaped ball which allows the patient to be in his/her normal upright standing position for the first time in days. For these dogs and cats it is an immediate spirit pick up and it allows us to provide the them with some weight bearing and weight shifting.

With other patients we may have them standing on a ball (with a physical therapist or technician protecting them) to challenge their coordination and balance.